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The Come-Up: Twin Cities Hip-Hop, December Edition

Jeffrey Bissoy is a former producer at MPR News and a frequent contributor to The Current.
Jeffrey Bissoy is a former producer at MPR News and a frequent contributor to The Current.Evan Frost | MPR
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by Jeffrey Bissoy-Mattis

December 12, 2019

Twin Cities, I'm back! I want to apologize for the hiatus. Recently I moved to Mexico City and have had to take a step back from The Come-Up. Though I'm now based south of the border, my passion for Twin Cities Hip-Hop and my commitment to helping artists share their art will never waver!

In this month's Come-Up, I include some jams that caught my attention over the summer as well as recent joints that have been hard to ignore. Without further ado, let's get into it…

Temezgen

One of my most recent Twin Cities discoveries is St. Paul artist Temezgen. If you're unfamiliar with his work, he's an Eritrean American R&B and Alternative pop singer, songwriter and producer. No cap, he may also have the best vocals in all of the Twin Cities. Check out his most recent singles, "Quarterback" and "Must Be Nice."

R.A.D. – "Measurements"

I owe R.A.D. a major apology for such a late recognition. She's been on tear for a while now, and it's about time the Twin Cities show her some love. I first heard of R.A.D. from her feature on Koffa's single, "Scrappy Doo." At the time, I thought she had mad talent, but still a little bit raw. In her last few projects, she's really shown the growth in her craft and her brimming confidence. Enjoy her hit single, "Measurements," but definitely check out her previous work on SoundCloud.

The Activists – Friday the XIII

Friday the XIII is a progression album — it starts out slower and darker and about halfway through, it picks up and the bangers start to hit. Dark albums can be hard to indulge, but Friday the XIII is the perfect album as winter holds Minnesota hostage. My favorite song off the album is "Another Moon," but check out this dope video for "'Sota Baby." The video is about as Minnesota as it gets!

Asia Divine – "Lifeboat"

I first met Asia Divine at The Vibe, the live Hip-Hop event hosted by Sole 2 Dotz. What first attracted me to her was her amazing vocals, which she matched with strong lyrical prowess and hype energy. This song, "Lifeboat," is off her latest album, Sad Girl, where she shows off her singing abilities and her full arsenal of talent.

Pilot Jonny – "Altitude"

I'm actually convinced that Pilot Jonny can do no wrong on a track. I first met Jonny when I interviewed Sole 2 Dotz. What struck me about him then was his attention to detail and dedication to his craft. Whereas many artists tend to zig, Pilot Jonny is always trying to zag. In September, I got to see him perform live at Dru Devon's album release party at First Ave. Saying he blew the crowd away would be an understatement. Yo Jonny, we gonna need some visuals for "Altitude"!!

theMaraj – Blackout

I don't think the Twin Cities has ever seen anything like theMaraj. They're a collaboration of trap rappers, R&B singers and Latin Trap artists, all equipped with a hypnotic new-school flair. Sauce aside, their squad could probably have their own zoning district. OK, I'm playing, but real talk: who knows how many members in this crew?? When y'all find out, please get back to me — I'm trying to keep taps on their seismic movement! Also, check out their album, Blackout.

I typically don't do this, but I have to give you multiple clips of theMaraj, so you can hear what I'm talking about…

Illism ft. J'mere – "Tight Circles"

After releasing an amazing project in the spring, Illuminate, Illism decided to keep their foot on our necks with this dope single, "Tight Circles." They also introduced me to a new artist, J'mere, who is also nice on the mic. I sat down with Illism over the summer; we talked about how they met, their latest album, and the beauty of Black love.
P.S. Illism are some of the nicest and talented individuals in the Twin Cities. Enjoy their recent single, "Tight Circles."

Destiny Roberts – Roy G. Biv, 7- Tape series

Over the last year, Destiny has been releasing short projects as part of her Roy G. Biv series, a color-inspired project that digs into her growth as an artist and her adulting process. She recently released The Indigo Tape, which you should all check out.

Before I took off for Mexico City, I was able to squeeze in an exclusive The Current interview with Destiny Roberts. Stay plugged in for that, but in the meantime, enjoy "Plenty," a single off of Destiny's Yellow Tape.

Hey, Twin Cities, before I sign off, me and The Current have kicked off the #KATChallenge in honor of Timberwolves' star Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been balling out this season. Towns told me on Twitter that he's looking for an anthem, and it's only right that Minnesota puts on for him. If you're an artist, producer or someone that simply dabbles in music, try your hand at making the KAT anthem. When it's done, tweet it out use the hashtag #KATChallenge.

Lastly, I'm always trying to broaden my scope of Hip-Hop and R&B in the Twin Cities. If you want me to check out music, feel free to email me, bissoymattisj@gmail.com, or DM me on Twitter, @JeffreyBissoy. I may be slow to respond, but I'm always keeping tabs on the artists on the come-up.

Much love,
Jeffrey

Jeffrey Bissoy is a former assistant producer at MPR News. Born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, raised in The Twin Cities and now based in Mexico City, Jeffrey has grown a passion for representation and identity, Hip-Hop, and the impact of sports on society. He's also the host of the podcast — The Come-Up — which stays current with the weekly drama of the NBA.