From Pitchfork and Rolling Stone to Complex and Spin, coverage of Memphis hip-hop has become a cottage industry of its own in 2022. It seems that if you are a music journalist in search of a story, then putting your ear to the ground in the Bluff City is a surefire way to find a deserving subject. This week alone, we counted upwards of 15 (!!!) news stories highlighting up-and-coming rappers hailing from the M, so this week’s edition of The Latest will be all about the bright future of the city’s hip-hop scene.
Memphis Rapper Gloss Up Joins Quality Control Music
Back in June, Quality Control Music’s CEO and co-founder Pierre Thomas took to Twitter to write “I want to sign Gloss Up from Memphis. She too hard, plus I love helping the ‘TheUnderDawgs’ get on top. … She so raw and authentic.” A little over a month later, he got his wish as Gloss Up signed on the dotted line to become just the latest female Memphis rapper to sign a major label deal in the past few weeks. You can learn more about the deal in this story from Complex, and then check out the video for “Set the Tone,” which features Gloss Up alongside fellow Memphians Aleza, Glorilla, Slimeroni, & K Carbon.
“Crunk Ain’t Dead” Star Duke Deuce Profiled in Rolling Stone
Duke Deuce, the local rapper who is on a one-man mission to ensure the legacy of crunk music endures, got his highest-profile coverage yet this week when he was featured in the latest edition of Rolling Stone. The piece lays out Duke Deuce’s role in keeping the classic Memphis rap style alive and is a must-read for any fan of crunk.
Staysie Atoms Receives Local Love from the Commercial Appeal
Staysie Atoms, the 22 year-old Memphis rapper and internet phenom, received some local coverage this week from the Commercial Appeal’s Astrid Kayembe. The story lays out Atom’s journey from a student at the Stax Academy to being one of the internet’s favorite musicians and gives crucial insight into her brash and playful style. Whether you’re already a fan of Staysie Atoms or not, it’s a great read about one of the city’s most intriguing young artists.
