The Come Up: New Twin Cities Music
September 25, 2018
As we gently settle into fall, it's time for another Twin Cities Come Up feature. Before the leaves fully turn colors, let's take a look at some dope new Hip-Hop hits from Twin Cities artists.
KenSoul - LTDF
I've done a feature on KenSoul before. Since the last time we linked, the Minnesota resident by way of NOLA has been dropping non-stop hits. When he's not in the studio, Ken's been performing on stage with Bow Wow; requested to perform for Atlantic Records; and prepping a tour to Fresno, Calif. Oh yeah — his latest hit, "LTDF (Lit Turnt Drunk Faded)," has hit more than 140,000 views on YouTube…
Aaron Aye - Orphan
Aaron Aye caught my eye with this interview he did with the Fader. After this, I had to get hip to the Minneapolis smooth spitter. Over the summer, he released his debut album, Orphan, which takes a closer look at his grief following the loss of his mother, while highlighting his triumphant perseverance. Take a look at his single, "Uptown," which perfectly captures most of our experiences roaming the streets of Uptown during rooftop season:
Daddy Dinero - 1-800-A***
FreeWifi's third member, Daddy Dinero, has been going crazy with singles of his own in the last couple of months, such as "Home (KOD)" and "1-800-A***." I've got to censor the last four digits of the hit, but the single reminds us why Dinero is still one of the most dangerous emcees in the Twin Cities. His flow is hypnotic, the flex is true, and the drip is evident:
Why Khaliq - Clearwater
One of the suavest artists in the cities, Why Khaliq followed his debut album, The Mustard Seed, with something even more potent, Clearwater. Most people say, "New year, new me," when making New Year's resolution. For Why K it must be, "New me, same grind," because the St. Paul maestro continues to innovate in his style, on his path to perfection. On the new album, Why Khaliq continues to impress with the storytelling and dope vibes. Yo, Why K, whatever juice you sippin' save some for the rest of us, man. Here's "Money and Celebrate":
Koffa - See Me Lack
Koffa appeared on my very first Come Up article, but he's been a hard man to spot nowadays. If the two singles he released this summer are any indication, the long-awaited album that's been stalling for a year could finally be on the way. Koffa, if you're reading this, the people are waiting. Just drop it already! Till he does, enjoy his latest banger, "See Me Lack":
LUXYZ - No Thank You
Listen, LUXYZ deserves to be mentioned among the smoothest emcees in the city. His flow is reminiscent of Earl Sweatshirt on "Chum" meets the astronomical space where Frank Ocean hides before releasing new music. I'm serious. In July, the Minnesota native released his debut album, No Thank You. Check out his single, "Stuck":
HabeshAmericans - 13 Months of Sunshine
Who are the HabeshAmericans? Just two Ethiopian-Americans from the Twin Cities clinging to the remaining days of sunshine like a summer romance. In their debut album, Ahbee C and Zander combine witty lyrics within mesmerizing hooks. "This is what it sounds like to be grateful, happy, and self-made," is the slogan of the album. Lofty goals, but one song into the album and you'll find yourself running after the sunset. Here's my favorite single of 13 Months of Sunshine, "Goin' Up":
Sole.. - Misfit
I can't say too much about Sole.. (Sole 2 dotz), because I'm still wrapping up a feature from our one-on-one interview. All I'll say is that if you love introspective lyrics and chill vibes from a guy who has basically seen it all, you've got to make sure to check out his latest album, Misfit. More to come … stay tuned.
Jeffrey Bissoy is an assistant producer at MPR News. Born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and raised in The Twin Cities, Jeffrey has grown a passion for representation and identity, Hip-Hop, and the impact of sports on society. He's also the host of two podcasts — Maintainin' and The Come-Up — the former examines the nuances of the young adult experience, and the latter stays current with the weekly drama of the NBA.