![]() Fik is featured on the E-40 disc “The Ball Street Journal” (on the song “I Can Sell It”), and the hyphy kingpin returned the favor by performing on Fik’s single “Bay Area 51.” Having established his name with the 2007 mixtape “Like a Ref Wit a Whistle,” Fik recently followed with his debut solo album, “No Gravity.” “I met Fik years ago, before he was picked up by E-40’s Sic Wid It Records, and as soon as he let me hear his early work, I knew he was going to be a vital link in Vallejo’s legacy of great artists,” says DJ Amen. Get an earful: Introduction: Cousin Fik (pronounced “feek”) is from Vallejo, so no surprise that he is known to pal around with the real mayor of Valley Joe - E-40. TRUTHLiVE’s debut CD, “Patience,” was released in April. Since then, he’s dedicated himself to hip-hop, both as an MC and as a DJ, and he’s had the opportunity to share the stage with such talents as Common, Murs and the Hieroglyphics. As a teen, he underwent three heart surgeries - to treat a rare condition known as supraventricular tachycardia, which effects a heart’s rhythmic pattern - and he lived to tell about it. Get an earful: Introduction: Much of the hip-hop mythos is built on being a survivor. He tells it like it is, and you better believe him when he speaks,” says DJ Amen. ![]() He’s received a sizable degree of acclaim for his two gritty, street-smart albums, “Welcome to tha Navy” and “Yo Favorite Rapper.” “Representing the Bay Area’s struggling inner-city youth culture, DB is the straight up, no chaser, raw street artist representing his people in the Freshmen 10. Get an earful: Introduction: “If I’m not your favorite rapper,” comments DB the General, “I’m (going to) be your favorite rapper.” Yes, this General, who started slinging rhymes at age 8, certainly doesn’t lack for confidence - or skill. Iamsu! is best known for his work in the group the Go-Gettaz, which have reportedly garnered more than a million plays on MySpace, but he’s also experienced success as a solo artist with the mixtape “T-Minus.” The rapper is now set to drop his sixth mixtape, “The Right Thing,” a title he says came to him in his sleep. Get an earful: Introduction: The 20-year-old rapper recently changed his name from SU!, he explains, because the new handle made it easier for listeners to find him online. “P Child was thought to be one of the lesser known of the (Freshmen) class, but with the ability to rap, sing and write great records for others, he is definitely a triple threat you will want to keep an eye on in the next couple of years,” says DJ Amen. He’s already been featured on one mixtape, “Fashionably Late,” and he’s currently working on a project he says will “bridge the gap between commercial appeal and lyrical skill.” That effort, dubbed “Metaphorically Speaking,” is expected to drop this fall. Get an earful: Introduction: P Child has received equally high marks for his lyrics and his rapping style. 2 unsigned rap artist on the site’s music charts. Since then, the rapper has built a following thanks, in large part, to the mixtape “Buckets and Booty Calls.” He’s also become a MySpace sensation - recently ranked as the No. That’s basically the recipe that Roach Gigz used to kick-start his career, back in 2006, at the age of 17. ![]() ![]() Get an earful: Introduction: Good things can come from a $20 Radio Shack microphone, natural-born talent and plenty of ambition. A lot of people are looking forward to see what he has coming up next.” “This guy is one song away from being the next big thing out here. The result can be heard on his new self-produced record, “All About Being Cool,” as well as on the single “So Sexy.” “Jay Ant was a name that kept coming back when we asked the public to nominate their favorite new artist (via Twitter) for the ‘Freshmen 10,'” says DJ Amen. Get an earful: A member of the rap group Diligentz, Jay Ant draws inspiration from a number of different musical realms, including techno, R&B, pop, alt-rock and, of course, hip-hop. He first came to prominence with the 2006 debut CD “Blood, Sweat and Triumph,” which produced the single “Superstar.” NIO, a member of the local hip-hop collective Fly New Movement (FNM), has earned strong reviews for his latest EP, “H.I.P. ![]() Get an earful: Introduction: NIO raps about what he knows - the struggles and successes that come from growing up, way too fast, on the streets of Richmond. Here are the 2010 Freshmen, in no particular ranking: It shouldn’t surprise most hip-hop followers that seven of the 10 Freshmen hail from the East Bay, long considered the rap epicenter of the Bay Area. “We searched for artists who, despite having little to no radio play, have a strong presence and the potential to be the next big thing locally - and hopefully beyond,” he said. ![]()
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