2018 was a banner year for independent Hip-Hop in New Jersey and “NJ Next” was there to cover everything. From sold-out shows to TV appearances and from album releases to great local coverage, the scene flourished for the last twelve months. Let’s take a look at some of the most significant moments of 2018…
February 2018
The PopBreak.com kicks off coverage of New Jersey’s Indie Hip-Hop scene in the newly minted “NJ Next” column with an interview with Ren Thomas covering his recent projects, touring nationally as an indie artist and his run on VH1’s “Signed” television show.
Asbury Park’s Joe College and his CivXSav (Civilized Savage) movement sell out the House of Independents venue in celebration of their new project. HD Picaso, Party Michael and Garden State Hip-Hop were also in the house for one of the biggest Hip-Hop events at the Jersey Shore all year.
March 2018
The Pop Break’s “NJ Next” interviews Rutgers/New Brunswick’s own Cook Thugless.
Chris Rockwell releases the emo-rap project “10 Years in the Breaking” and has a huge album release party/concert at Asbury’s House of Independents with support from acts like Chill Smith and Lyons.
April 2018
“NJ Next” moves it’s focus west to Trenton for an interview with up-and-coming artist Krush Jackson.
May 2018
“NJ Next” interviews Bulletproof Belv and Matty Carlock about their 2017 collaboration “Dark City Lights,” the similarities and differences between Jersey’s different music scenes, the importance of touring and how “both sides of the tracks” can continue to work together. Also, Matty & Belv hooked up again later in the year for “F Being Friends” off Bulletproof Belv’s “With or Without You” project.
June 2018
“NJ Next” interviews Dane The Beautiful Monster about his upcoming LP “From Ashes Rose A King”
DJ Danny Stax launches “Wu-Tang Wednesdays” at Little Buddy Hideaway in Asbury Park. The event becomes a staple by the end of the year and features Stax spinning the best in 90’s Hip-Hop on vinyl in a lounge atmosphere. The regularly occurring event is, to use a cliche “only for the grown & sexy.”
Ren Thomas launches his “Rensday’s” series that will see a new song released every Wednesday of the summer. The highlight is “Lil’ Raps” that details the rise and predicts the fall of controversial artist Tekashi 69 and the series is so successful that the songs are now available on a physical CD with an accompanying T-Shirt.
July 2018
“NJ Next” sits down with MC, Producer, Graphic Designer, Show Promoter and Sticker Magnate Solo For Dolo about his years in the game, Asbury Park’s changing landscape and his upcoming Asbury Park Hip-Hop Fest.
A Great Day in Asbury Park- The Asbury Park Press’ Chris Jordan publishes a story about the area’s burgeoning Hip-Hop scene and with help from Garden State Hip-Hop’s Rodney Coursey and photographer Kara Donnelly gets dozens of Jersey Shore artists, influencers and personalities to pose for a picture in front of the historic Asbury Park Press building in downtown Asbury.
ITM (Illa Than Most) continues making moves with the release of Phresco’s incredibly dope “Fly Away” single and crew member Ziggy Bryson taking his funny instagram posts to the stage as a stand-up comic throughout the year.
August 2018
“NJ Next” interviews A1 about how he started rapping, his upcoming project based on sampling music from GameBoy games and his continued work with charity organization Soles 4 Souls where he has collected thousands of pairs of shoes for people in need.
Solo for Dolo stages the first ever “Asbury Hip-Hop Fest” at the historic Wonder Bar with performances by himself, Ren Thomas and Pace Won of the Outsidaz.
Clothing company Karma Kartel hosts a school supply drive at the Asbury Park Music Foundation. The event features performances from Chris Rockwell, ShoreShot and others while collecting thousands of dollars worth of school supplies for the area’s youth.
September 2018
“NJ Next” covers Def Rugs, arguably the Jersey Shore’s best kept Hip-Hop secret, and interviews owner/artist Marshall Fox about combining passions (music, graphic design and flooring) and carving out a unique place in the music business.
The production company behind hit TV show Impractical Jokers shoots a pilot about Jersey Shore Hip-Hop artists for their show “Behind the Scene” covering local music scenes. The show is hosted by Casey Jost and features a round table discussion of area artists like ShoreShot, Phresco, Drew The Recluse, Matty Carlock, Bulletproof Belv and Mista Encore.
Joe College follows up his sold out show and group album with his solo “Pay The Man” project that is well received by both critics and fans.
October 2018
“NJ Next” talks to DJ Danny Stax about the his love of golden era Hip-Hop, the (somewhat) lost art of digging in the crates and the rise of Wu-Tang Wednesdays at Little Buddy Hideaway in Asbury Park.
ShoreShot performs with frequent collaborator EWald and a live band at Downtown Toms River’s “Fall Arts Festival” and is well-received by the typically non-Hip-Hop crowd.
The OFFTOP collective have a relatively quiet 2018, only releasing a few singles (“IDGAF” and “Lost Boys”), but end the year with the long awaited solo album from group member Gnarly Nonsense.
Asbury Underground features performances by Drew The Recluse, Avery Rose Puryear and an art installation by Marshall Fox of Def Rugs, bringing a decidedly Hip-Hop flavor to the event.
November 2018
“NJ Next” interviews artist Drew The Recluse about Black Suburbia Music Group, performing live as often as possible and combining genres to get a point across. Throughout 2018, Drew’s Black Suburbia Music live performances become a staple at venues like The Saint and Little Buddy Hideaway.
Staten Island emcee Bobby Briz releases his second album “Brizantium Thought & Culture” featuring NJ artists Kidz From The Burbz with several shows and promotional stops planned at the Jersey Shore.
Solo For Dolo releases a collaborative EP with producer Grungy Boguez titled “The Fifth” and stages the second Asbury Hip-Hop Fest featuring performances by AWAR, Skrewtape and K-Prez among others.
Mista Encore releases “The Cleanse” and keeps it all in the family with the standout cut “Daddy’s Girl.”
Asbury’s Bulletproof Belv releases “With or Without You” and is featured in the Asbury Park Press as one of NJ’s rising musicians to watch.
Garden State Hip-Hop’s Rodney Coursey launches “Fluid Emotion” at High Voltage Cafe in Asbury Park to showcase spoken word, monologues and stand-up comedy. The first event is so successful that it’s almost certain to be a regularly occurring event in the near future.
And That’s It…
2018 was a great year for Hip-Hop at the Jersey Shore and I had a great time covering it for The Pop Break with “NJ Next.” Look out for more interviews, show coverage and reviews in 2019 and keep supporting the scene as it continues to grow. Listen to new music, go to shows, buy merch, support good artists and tell your friends to tell their friends about the dope scene developing here.
Thanks to everybody at The Pop Break for allowing “NJ Next” to happen, especially Editor-In-Chief Bill Bodkin and thanks to all the artists, personalities and readers that allowed the column to flourish all year. Enjoy the holidays and I’ll see you next year!
