In May 1990, The Source magazine launched its "Unsigned Hype" column to spotlight hip hop artists that were not signed to major labels, giving underground rappers a platform to showcase their skills before securing record deals. Created during a time when independent rappers struggled for clout, the column became a proving ground for aspiring artists. Many future rap legends, including The Notorious B.I.G., DMX, Mobb Deep, Common, and Eminem, got their first national exposure through Unsigned Hype… Here I wanted to look back at the most notable underground rappers featured from the 90’s along with their demo tapes that showed off their talents before they dropped their debut albums and got noticed by the rap world.
Read moreE-40 "MR. FLAMBOYANT"
E-40 is one of the best rappers to ever bless the mic. He came up rapping in the late 80’s and developed his vocal inflections and off-the-beat sped up delivery on tracks like 1991’s, Mr. Flamboyant. E-40 is a legend out of the 90’s bay area rap scene and is still fresh on the mic today. If you happen to have $400 to spare, kick it over my way so I can finally pick up the cassette for “Mr. Flamboyant” on eBay. Here’s some more on a young Earl getting his start in the rap game.
Read moreGANGSTA PAT "I WANNA SMOKE"
Gangsta Pat, The Geto Boys, and ?????
In 1995, Gangsta Pat out of Memphis, TN dropped one of the dopest 90’s rap tracks to ever come out with “I Wanna Smoke”. He produced the track. The samples are fire. The flow and cadence on the verses are next level. The chorus? Fire. But deciding to take the 1st verse and just run it back as the 3rd verse? That’s flexing on so many levels. Gangsta Pat paved the way for many Memphis rappers today to be where they’re at now. Along with Three 6 Mafia, 8Ball & MJG, Tommy Wright III, and more out of Tennessee in the early/mid 90’s, Gangsta Pat was was a major part Memphis Rap scene in the 90’s that’s treasured by rap listeners of all ages.
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