1.
2. GoldLink
From: Virginia
GoldLink has a way of breezing through production that would trip up rap vets. He's dominated the blogs, but he's starting to spread beyond that, recently appearing on XM's Shade 45, and it seems like only a matter of time before he gets a big break. So far, he's been kept something of a secret. There's not much information on him, he doesn't share pictures of himself, and the self-promotion seems to be at a minimum. But while he remains in the shadows, others are talking him up.
Whatever his plan is, it seems to be working. Or maybe he's just talented enough to get attention in spite of it. Either way, it's hard to imagine this kid not catching a big break in the near future.
3. Misun
From: Washington, DC
Misun’s music is all over the place, but whether they're making bouncy synth-pop or mixing R&B with tropical touches, there is one thing that all their songs share—they're incredibly catchy. Misun have well and truly mastered the tricky art of making pop music with an edge and making instantly memorable tunes that aren't too basic or obvious. They have released a large amount of material already, so whenever their debut album comes, it's sure to be full of bright and breezy pop gems.
4. Sunny & Gabe
From: Norfolk, VA
With their (free) Free Candy EP, Virginia duo Sunny & Gabe gave us an introduction to the eclectic, colorful palette they were working with. Their music feels like a splatter of influences ranging from hip-hop to dream pop, and in these times, that feels not only completely natural, but necessary to be a part of the future. We've seen so many indie bands get stuck trying to duplicate their "sound," and the best thing about Sunny & Gabe is that they have no singular, defining sonic trademark. Their music feels nimble and unhinged, and that's all the more reason to believe that they'll keep evolving with the times.
5. RDGLDGRN
6. Lindsay Lowend
From: Washington, DC
At the end of 2013, 20-year-old producer Lindsay Lowend announced that he was taking a break from his own original productions but that he'd still be working on collaborations. It's a shame, but the reason he's taking a break is to "study music," and after listening to his music, that makes sense. On first listen it sounds like a video game on acid, but it's deeper than that. Electronic sounds are the building blocks, but his compositions draw from classical and jazz sensibilities, leading to this larger-than-life concoction of dance music with complexity. Whatever he does next, it should be worth paying attention to.
7. Gems
From: Washington, DC
As a dreamy male/female pop duo that goes heavy on the reverb, Gems may draw some comparisons to fellow DMV natives Beach House. But with subtle electronic touches and drums that pop, Gems makes dreamy pop with a punch to it. With soaring vocals from Lindsay Pitts, crystalline webs of guitar, and never overwhelming production, Gems have found their lane, and while much of the hazy indie pop of the past decade fades away, this duo is keeping dreamy from sounding tired.
8. Kali Uchis
From: Alexandria, VA
How do you blend the style of Bone Thugs with classic '50s romanticism? Kali Uchis knows. Born in Columbia and raised in Virginia, the word most often used to describe Kali's music seems to be "vibey." It's the word she used in her own SoundCloud description, and while it may not mean a whole lot to the average listener, it explains all that needs explaining to the people who will likely connect with it. Kali is a 19-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer, and she's DC's answer to the the endless trendsetters in LA and NYC. She's on some shit that couldn't have existed 10 years ago, and that's exactly the kind of shit that stands a chance of dictating what's next.
9. Fat Trel
10. Alex Young
From: Washington, DC
He may have not graduated high school yet, but he has performed at some of the biggest dance festivals across the country. From EDC Vegas, to Trillectro, to local house parties, Alex Young has built his following through live performances. His mixes and massive original production have gained him national notoriety and an internet presence has helped spread his name far beyond the DMV area. Young weaves moombahton with house, trap, pop, and elements of hip-hop, and he's looking like a safe bet for a big 2014 come-up.
11. Yung Gleesh
12. Young Moe
From: Alexandria, VA
Young Moe raps like he's got something to prove, and he's got the kind of stories that make you want to see him win. While so many others fake it until they make it, Young Moe raps like the underdog. It may not be as glamorous, but along the way he's picking up fans who can relate to him in a real way. Last year he told XXL, "I really dig for each fan and let them know that this is more than music. I really feel for everybody who struggles. For real. Cause I done been through it."
He may not have hundreds of thousands of fans, but the ones he has are going to stick with him, and in this fickle economy, that's a very valuable thing.
13. GramFam
From: Maryland
Maryland-based collective GramFam is made up of artists, producers, and various other creatives. Matt McGhee and rMell have been on a tear as of late, and it's got a lot of DMV residents convinced that this is the next rap collective to break through. In-house producer Jaylen! crafts backdrops that most artists would love to rock over, and the family comes full circle with artists CRASHprez and Miles Meraki who give the group a dynamic edge that makes most up-and-comers sound stale.
Each member holds their own with solo drops and when they choose to come together for a posse cut, it's an event, as are their energetic live shows. Their latest release "STNYCRKGMIX" finds McGhee, rMell, and Meraki gliding through a gritty Jaylen!-produced record. If the Fam continues working at this pace, they'll earn that national spotlight soon enough.
14. Young Money Yawn
From: Norfolk, VA
He's 27-years-old and only been rapping for about a year, according to a recent Noisey interview, but things are moving fast for Young Money Yawn. The clubs are playing his music, Dr. Luke has taken an interest in him, and Young Thug knows the words to his songs. Sometimes, building buzz takes years. Sometimes, it happens overnight. It's hard to say if it will last, but right now Young Money Yawn is one to pay attention to, and he's rapping like he's still got a lot to prove.
15. Mansions on the Moon
From: Virginia
Hailing from Virginia and currently based in Los Angeles, Mansions on the Moon's unique sound mixes elements of rock, electronic, funk, and pop. Their atmospheric rock has been hailed "the future of music" by fellow Virginia Beach native, and half of The Neptunes, Chad Hugo. The group's dance-laden tunes have landed them spots on tour with Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller, and has resulted in work with VA Beach legend Pharrell.
Their latest EP, Full Moon, is short and sweet, which serves as a perfect introduction to a group that seems to have already won over many of the DMV's most important music-makers.
16. Uno Hype
From: Gaithersburg, MD
Collaborations with Smoke DZA, Joey Bada$$, CJ Fly, DJ Dahi and many more have garnered him a significant buzz in the rap community, but Uno Hype has a pop sensibility that makes him capable of reaching fans outside of hip-hop. With genre boundaries becoming less clear than ever, he's in good position to become an act that appeals to listeners across the board.
