Since launching in early 2018 The Pop Break’s “NJ Next” column has profiled some of the most notable people moving Hip-Hop forward in New Jersey. From MC’s and producers to business owners and visual artists “NJ Next” had it covered.
To celebrate the two year anniversary of the column and the end of 2019 Angelo Gingerelli gathered some of the most interesting people he interviewed and asked them their thoughts on Hip-Hop in 2019.
Enjoy the 2019 wrap-up and THANK YOU for two great years of “NJ Next”!!!
Name: Angelo Gingerelli
Hometown: Long Branch
Featured in NJ Next: Every Damn Month
Known For: Writing the column you are reading right now.
IG: @Mr5thRound
Top 3 Albums of 2019:
- Little Brother – May The Lord Watch
- Gang Starr – One of the Best Yet
- Big KRIT: KRIT IZ HERE
Top 3 Singles of 2019:
- J. Cole – Middle Child
- Gang Starr – Family & Loyalty
- Lil’ Baby & Gunna – Drip So Hard
Best New Artist:
DaBaby
Best Trend of 2019:
Veteran artist like Gang Starr, Black Moon, Little Brother Smiff-n-Wessun and Chubb Rock making new music that appealed to new and old fans.
Plans for 2020:
Continuing interviewing NJ’s best up-and-coming Hip-Hop artists for “NJ Next” and going to more shows at The Jersey Shore.
Name: Krush Jackson
Hometown: Trenton
Featured in NJ Next: April 2018
Known For: Making Trap Muzik in the State Capital
IG: @krush_jackson
Top 3 Albums
Dave East -Survival
Tsu Surf-Seven 25
Krush Jackson – KRUSH’EM
Top 3 Singles
Casanova 2x feat Fabolous – So Brooklyn
Chris Brown feat Drake – No Guidance
DJ Khaled feat John Legend and Nipsey Hussle – Higher
Best new artist: Mozzy
Plans for 2020
Two new projects, more interviews (podcasts, radio, etc.), music videos, building a more active fan base and staying consistent.
Name: Bulletproof Belv
Hometown: Asbury Park
Featured in NJ Next: May 2018 (with “Dark City Lights” collaborator Matty Carlock)
Known For: Bangers like “Build Another” and “10 Summers 10 Winters”
IG: @bulletproof_belv
Top 3 Albums of 2019:
- 2Loyal 2Foreign – Rose From The Park
- Tsu Surf – Seven 25
- Albee Al – King Opp
Top 3 Singles of 2019:
- Fetty Wap – Cologne
- 2Loyal 2Foreign – Guts & Glory
- Bulletproof Belv- 10 Summers 10 Winters
Best New Artist:
DaBaby
Best Trend of 2019:
Independent artists staying independent while becoming successful huge stars in the music industry.
Plans for 2020:
Dropping the EP “Mommas Boy” January 2nd and another EP soon after.
Name: David Hernandez of LoFiDelic Records (904 Main St. in Belmar)
Hometown: Belmar
Featured in NJ Next: April 2019
Known For: Keeping vinyl alive at the Jersey Shore
IG: @lofidelicrecords
Top 3 Albums of 2019:
- Michael Kiwanuka – Kiwanuka
- Black Pumas – Black Pumas
- Rodrigo Y Gabriela – Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Top 3 Singles of 2019:
- Black Pumas- Colors
- Brittany Howard- He Loves Me
- Michael Kiwanuka- You Aint the Problem
Best New Artist:
Black Pumas
Best Trend of 2019:
New artists recording genuine SOUL music like it was recorded in the late 60’s/early 70’s and not the same old cookie cutter R&B music that is plaguing the industry.
Plans for 2020:
More records, more live DJs, more live bands, more lounge.
Name: Jonathan Ramsay
Hometown: Neptune
Featured in NJ Next: March 2019
Known For: Running whatsthemovement.net
IG: @RamsaySaidWHAT
Top 3 Albums of 2019:
- IGOR – Tyler the Creator
- Revenge of the Dreamers III – Dreamville
- The Lost Boy – YBN Cordae
Top 3 Singles of 2019:
- The London – Young Thug feat. J. Cole, Travis Scott
- Earfquake – Tyler the Creator
- U Say – Goldlink feat. Tyler the Creator, Jay Prince
Best New Artist:
DaBaby
Best Trend of 2019:
Collaboration projects and Posse Cuts were back in 2019. We need more of that again.
Plans for 2020:
Unveiling 2 new programs on the WTM media platform in addition to our branded podcast, A-Side B-Side. Also throwing quarterly music showcases and a couple of day parties.
Name: A1
Hometown: Toms River
Featured in NJ Next: August 2018
Known For: Making beats and collecting thousands of pairs of shoes for the “Soles for Souls” charity
IG: llcool_a1
Top 3 Albums of 2019:
- SiR – Chasing Summer
- Joell Ortiz- Monday
- Big K.R.I.T.- KRIT IZ HERE
Top 3 Singles of 2019:
- Rapsody feat. J. Cole – Sojourner
- Nas- Jarreau of Rap
- SiR feat. Kendrick- Hair Down
Best New Artist:
SiR
Best Trend of 2019:
Sampling 2000’s RnB
Plans for 2020:
Collaborate with as many artist and entrepreneurs as possible on songs, events, and everything in between!
Name: Rodney Coursey
Hometown: Ocean
Featured in NJ Next: July 2019
Known For: Founding and Running GardenStateHipHop.com
IG: @rodneygshh
Top 3 Albums of 2019:
- Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Bandana
- Tyler, The Creator – IGOR
- Rapsody – Eve
Top 3 Singles of 2019:
- Boogie – Silent Ride
- DaBaby – Baby Sitter
- YBN Cordae – RNP feat. Anderson.Paak
Best New Artist:
YBN Cordae
Best Trend of 2019:
The new renaissance for women in hip-hop.
Plans for 2020:
Redesigning the Garden State Hip-Hop website, planning more events and growing as an independent music publicist.
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