The DMV Rap Scene is About to Blow

Rising stars of the DMV rap scene: YPC Nige, Odd Mojo, Reup Nelson, YungManny, Rico Nasty, Ayotemi, O-Slice, Cordae, and 20nvr (Photos by Young Paper Chasers Ent., Kyna Uwaeme, Meezus, OJ Visuals, Eguene Maddy, Ace of LA, Shaughn Cooper/Photo collage by NUNAR Editorial Board)

For years, the DMV rap music scene left much to be desired. Until recently, the consensus among artists and fans contended that the region was not favorable for launching a successful hip-hop career or brand. Not so much because of the location—but because of the community, or lack thereof. The DMV rap scene has often been vilified for being lackluster, considering both the lack of unity between artists and the lack of support from fans. This is why for decades, local artists and creatives have transplanted to other acclaimed cities like Atlanta or Los Angeles to gain traction and build a fanbase. However, if there is one thing we can all agree on, it's that the DMV does not have a talent problem––the area has birthed unique rap talent and has for quite a while. We simply haven't been doing a good job of supporting our own. Now, in 2020, it can be said––and I am certainly prepared to argue––that the DMV rap scene is poised to make a big leap into the mainstream. So, what's changing?

For one thing, the DMV rap scene grew up differently than other regions. In the Washington metropolitan area, gogo music was king since the 70s, not rap music. So while the rap scenes in New York or LA catapulted during the 80s and 90s, it was different for the DMV because gogo bands dominated the local streams and sold out venues during this period. This meant that local rap artists didn't receive nearly enough support for many years until gogo music's preeminence loosened in the mid-2000s. As a result, the area didn't have generations of rappers and forerunners who have risen in the industry over the years who could take in young aspiring rap artists and help them understand the game in greater depth––for example, how Gucci Mane constantly puts on ATL rappers. Therefore, we cannot compare ourselves to regions like New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, or Chicago. Unlike the DMV, those regions have had generations of networks between rap artists, producers, A&Rs, labels, and fans' support for upcoming rappers to flourish in. Our region's music scene lacked for a while until a revival came with the big break of DC's Wale a little over a decade ago. He paved the road for the local rap scene to expand its influence in the DMV and abroad. Now, the DMV rap scene is shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with.

You've probably noticed the increasingly common success stories arising out of the Greater Washington area rap world. Just this past year, North Carolina born and Lanham-raised artist Cordae received multiple Grammy nominations for his debut album "Lost Boy EP," solidifying his status in the mainstream market and drawing more buzz and acclaim towards DMV talent. Other young stars holding it down right now from the area include Shy Glizzy, Rico Nasty, and Q Da Fool. What's more, the next wave of stars are organically emerging before our eyes with artists like Who's Los, Ayotemi, Ayeoso, Reup Nelson, Odd Mojo, O-Slice, YPC Nige, 20nvr, and many, many more.

On the trap scene, artists have seen less beef and more unification. Beefing in the DMV trap music scene was always a problem. The most known was the beef between Fat Trel and Shy Glizzy, but that has since been squashed. Other times, the street-life caught up with many trap artists trying to leave it behind, and it came in the form of gun violence––a scene all too familiar in our inner cities. The shooting deaths of Swipey, Baby Ahk, and Lor Scoota are enough to know how much gun violence took from the trap scene. Fortunately, it seems that hood beefs between our trap stars are being squashed as part of a growing movement of community solidarity and collective effort for ending senseless gun violence in the region's major cities and Black neighborhoods.

So, here we are in 2020. The rap culture is trending upwards, and the table is being set for the scene to grow profoundly over the next few years. Obviously, the world-changing coronavirus pandemic has stifled artists everywhere with serious complications, financial or otherwise. However, artists everywhere are finding innovative ways to continue making art post-COVID, and it is safe to say we can expect to see more and more artists from the area make it to the big stage. Spirited collaboration in the rap community will be all it takes to change the narrative and build our scene into something exceptional, and, in doing so, many will take notice of something we've known all along — there's way too much untapped talent in the DMV.