Five Boston Rappers and Their Local Music Recommendations

A vibrant scene is starting to bubble into the mainstream.

boston rap recommendations
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Image via Jonathan F

boston rap recommendations

When we talk about hip-hop history, Boston isn't the first city that comes to mind. It has its legends, but hubs like Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Houston, and Los Angeles always lead the conversation. Thanks to rising talent like Cousin Stizz and Michael Christmas and an emerging scene that is both diverse and united, it feels like Boston is gearing up to have a real moment. We spoke with five artists leading the way and got their local recommendations to help guide us through the sounds of their city. Here are five Boston rappers and the five Boston rappers they're listening to. 

Cousin Stizz

Cousin Stizz

Hometown: Dorchester, Boston

2014's Suffolk County put Cousin Stizz on the map, and he shrugged off any notions of a sophomore slump with the hypnotic Monda this past August. He's one of Boston's most exciting young voices, and writes some of the catchiest hooks in rap without ever being in-your-face, obvious, or dumbed down. "Shoutout," "500 Horses," and "No Bells" are cases in point. 

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Cousin Stizz recommends: Big Leano

big leano boston

Stizz says: "Leano is bro and he's real. 'No Photos' is wavy as hell and original as fuck. Also I hate photos."

Michael Christmas

michael christmas boston

Hometown: Roxbury, Boston

Michael Christmas is a creative force—his verses are stories, his dry sense of humor is contagious, and he works extremely well with others. The latest evidence: his project with Prefuse 73, Lady Parts, which was made under the alias Fudge. Christmas has also been something of a diplomat for Boston, recently appearing on excellent inter-city collaborations like "My Wallet." Christmas may have made his name as hip-hop's Michael Cera, but 2016 has shown he's capable of much more.

Michael Christmas recommends: Haasan Barclay

haasan barclay soundcloud

Michael Christmas says: "This man plays multiple instruments and produces all his own crazy ass music and word. His ideas are so abstract, but clear and easy to understand. He's also all about a good wrestling or Tekken reference which I'll always appreciate."​

Vintage Lee

vintage lee rapper boston

Hometown: Roxbury, Boston

"Hennythings Possible" is an anthem—Vintage Lee is equal parts 2 Chainz and Migos on the breakout track, and she kept up momentum with "Pimp Like Me" this past June. Lee's druggy raps and confident drawl are propelled by ominous, trappy production by the likes of Tee-WaTT and Bruce Wayne, and she's worked with local peers like Michael Christmas to keep energy flowing in Roxbury.

Vintage Lee recommends: Sean Wire

Vintage Lee says: “I like his music because its raw, I can hear the emotion in his voice, very relatable."

Avenue

Avenue

Hometown: South End, Boston

Boston rapper Avenue brings something fresh to the scene while staying true to the qualities that make hip-hop powerful, relatable, and honest. His debut release Words Speak Life arrived in 2012, and buzz built after The Chandelier View dropped last year. The dam is set to burst next month—Moss Ave & Lex will arrive in December, and the two singles we've heard thus far have been impressive. 


"Growing up in the south end," Avenue told us, "it's the best of both worlds. There are million dollar brownstones, but within the mix is poverty, low income housing, Section 8. With Mass Ave and Lenox, we wanted to create something that represented home."

Avenue recommends: Deon Chase

Avenue says: "I'm tuned into everything home base related, I check it all out, from Grime Gurt to Dutch ReBelle. But I've been in the studio with Deon Chase a lot lately, closing out my Mass Ave & Lenox album and we’ve started to piece things together for his upcoming release. I feel as though the music he's making right now will have a lot of people talking about him soon. From his melodies to his beat choices… just a fair warning!"

Black EL

black el

Hometown: Hopkinton, MA

Black EL grew up in Hopkinton, a suburb outside the city. He moved to Boston's Dorchester next, where his artistic interests started to crystallize. Now he's in New York, continuing to build the dream. "Music and art aren’t a hobby for me," El told us. "It’s life and it’s something I will do until the day I die. There’s no real motivator besides the fact that I need music to keep me sane, happy and is the best form of therapy I’ve ever had. There’s no better drug."

Black EL recommends: Maka

Black EL says: "Maka's subject matter, melodies and wordplay are just so out there it's hard for me not to mess with it. He can write a song about anything, and make it sound fresh as fuck. Add to the fact he produces a lot of his own material, has a unique sounding voice and constantly experiments, makes him one of my favorites in the city.​"

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