Rhymefest

I was introduced to Chicago rapper Rhymefest this summer, I liked what I heard, but didn't bother to look for more until this week. And now it's all I've been playing; his studio album Blue Collar, and two mixtapes--The Manual, and Man In The Mirror (a Mark Ronson produced Michael Jackson tribute). Rhymefest's raps are wonderful. Clever, fast, vicious at times and a breath of fresh air.

Rhymefest has the ability to make me laugh and tell a real story in his rhymes as well as create some seriously catchy tunes. I think his stuff is pretty accessible too, he uses a lot of mainstream tunes as his beats, especially on Man In The Mirror, on which virtually every backtrack is a Jackson hit. He's signed to ark Ronson's label, and co-wrote Kanye West's "Jesus Walks".

Essential Tracks: Every track on Blue Collar, seriously they're all great, especially: More, Sister, Tell A Story.

From Man In The Mirror: Breakadawn, Never Can Say Goodbye

From The Manual: RNQ