10: Bonanza Presh

MYSPACE FACEBOOK TWITTER

PIDV has been rolling with this kid for a minute. Back in ’08 when we were first starting out, Presh caught our eye with his punchline flow and poppy charisma. Two years later Bonanza is still very much on his grind.  His next effort tentatively titled Big Bonus III: Three Thumbs Up, End of the Trilogy, is scheduled for a mid April release.  Bonanza tells PIDV to expect lyrical growth and the exploration of different genres on his next album. “I don’t know what you would call this music, maybe strange music” he said. No matter the case, we’re sure he’ll be able to rock the crowd, he always does. Check out classic Bonanza interview footage below and a nice cut from The Big Bonus II above.

9: Young Tyrant

YOUTUBE

365 Days of freestyles…. nuff said. You can’t deny Tyrant’s grind. Rapping up Day 31 below, he’s already got my vote for grinder of the year. Go’head and check out that battle from about a year ago, admit it, dude’s nice.

8: Young Knave

MYSPACE TWITTER

Mr. Throw It Back dropped his first effort Only A Mixtape Cut a few weeks ago. Filled with a mix of club hits, street anthems and freestyles, Young Knave is most definitely on the right track to make waves in 2010. With the success of his first single (listen above), be prepared to see him ripping stages all year long!

7: S.G. Smitty

MYSPACE

The Prince of the City (you heard it here first!). S.G. Smitty’s unique flow and smooth delivery quickly gained him fans in 2009. His Smoking Sessions mixtapes were two of the better albums dropped last year. With topics ranging from the love of mary jane, to the love of college partying, I can pretty much guarantee you’ll find a Smitty song you’ll like. Smoking Sessions vol 3 drops April 1st, and I predict he finds his first hit with its release. Check out a few of my favorite cuts from Smoking Sessions vol 2 above. The kid does it very well, and it doesn’t even seem like he’s trying.

6: Fat Phonz

MYSPACE

Another PIDV alumnus, we’ve been rocking with Phon for a minute now. He gets better every rhyme, and wasn’t bad to begin with.  Hands down, Phonz dropped two of the hottest singles last year with “I Am Bad” & “Gettin’ Paid”, nothing but quality music is created every time he hits the booth.  With his currently untitled mixtape scheduled for a Spring release, Louisville’s best kept secret will surely shine in 2010.

5: Neisha Bdot

YOUTUBE FACEBOOK

PIDV first peeped Neisha Bdot rocking the stage @ the Wiz Khalifa concert that ended the summer. Since then she has been on the fast track to the top of Louisville’s rap game. Her first mixtape 502 Degrees (dope title Bdot!) drops Valentine’s Day weekend. With infectious club banger La Da Da leading the charge, there’s nowhere 4 her to go but up. Checkout the videos below.

4: BST

MYSPACE FACEBOOK TWITTER

BST dropped my favorite song released last year, and I dont just mean locally. Three words I use to describe them? QUALITY STREET MUSIC. They have a new mixtape dropping sometime this quarter so expect more of the same, HITS. Now turn your volume all the way up and press the play button.

3: Miz

MYSPACE TWITTER FACEBOOK

2009 was definitely a big year for Miz. From his hit single with Chris Rich, to the radio tour that took him all the way to Vegas, Miz is definitely on top of his game.( Even if he sat this year out, the boy is so far ahead, he’d still make this list!) But with two mixtapes dropping by the end of next month, I doubt he’s taking a break anytime soon. SUPPORT Miz!! He’s been on his grind since middle school, and all of his success is well deserved!

2: B Simm

MYSPACE TWITTER FACEBOOK

Though fairly quiet in the past year, B Simm’s name is still synonymous with Kentucky rap. He is one of the hottest mc’s Kentucky has to offer, and he’s back. Check out his single featuring R. Kelly above, and watch the video below!

1: T-Razor

YOUTUBE

Real hip-hop can come from the most unlikely of places, and 2010 is the year of the Savior. His music speaks for itself so check out a couple of cuts from The Savior 2 which drops Valentine’s day weekend. Stay tuned to PIDV for an exclusive interview with Bobby Kennedy himself, where he’ll speak on the love, the hate, and the future of the Kentucky rap scene. Has salvation arrived?

NOTE: YES I DO REALIZE A LOT OF “BIG NAMES” AREN’T ON HERE, & YES I DO REALIZE THAT ONLY LOUISVILLE ARTISTS ARE FEATURED… YOU GOT A WHOLE YEAR 2 PROVE ME WRONG! SUBMIT YOUR MUSIC TO CHARLIEPIDVKY@YAHOO.COM