Troy Ave, has been one of the hottest and most talked about rap artist over the past few months. For good reason – he’s been getting booked for show’s, interviews and freestyles all over the internet and on various radio stations promoting his latest album release “New York City”.
More album talk further on. First, let me give you an introduction to the man who is taking NYC by the scruff of the neck and refusing to say that New York hip hop is Dead!
[Video] Troy Ave ft. King Sevin – Cigar Smoke
[leadplayer_vid id=”52A5A82E38824″]
Who is Troy Ave?
Troy Ave was born in Brownsville Brooklyn and raised in Crown Heights, New York, just up the road from Troy Avenue, where obviously he gets his name.
Troy Ave, is the guy who is flying the flag that will make you think back to that gully, street hip hop from the mid nineties. Think Nas, Mobb Deep, and Wu Tang. He is New York. He has that New York sound, beats and a very tight lyrical flow that lets you know that he’s very confident in his ability to report to you a vivid picture of street life in 2013 America.
If this is the first time you’ve heard Troy, firstly, where have you been? And secondly, I’m sure you’d agree with me in saying that he sounds really good!
Where Did It All Start?
First getting inspired to make rap music when he heard 50 Cent’s first album, then narrowly escaping heavy jail time, Troy Ave turned to rap music after learning that an average rapper from his neighbourhood made $100,000 off of the genre.
I’d like to think Troy must have thought, “if this rapper can make 100k and only be mediocre at best, I most definitely could make some serious money from hip hop”!
There lies the seeds that sparked Troy Ave to take his lyrical skill seriously.
Bursting onto the scene in 2006, Troy drop several mixtape albums including his “Bricks In My Backpack” volume 1, 2 and 3 series.
Selling over 70,000 units independently and getting some serious heat from the streets, it has been claimed that Troy is the first unsigned artist from New York to be bootlegged!
[Video] Troy Ave ft. Prodigy – Dirty Martini
[leadplayer_vid id=”529CC822EB1C6″]
[Video] Troy Ave – Chiddy Chiddy Bang Bang
[leadplayer_vid id=”529CC8A200D7E”]
What About the Colabs?
Not only has he worked with many well know hip hop artist, such as Fabulous, N.O.R.E, Raekwon and Prodigy, collaborating on his own projects and theirs.
The heat building around this artist is so fierce several figure heads are quoted to really feeling this dudes music.
“I may have to past him the torch”, stated Jay-Z, referring to his title of being the king of New York.
..And..
“That Boy is Throwed, I mean he spit it so real”, stated DJ OG Ron C.
Most current release:
November 4th 2013, saw Troy Ave release his latest album “New York City”.
A solid release from start to finish, Troy Ave enlists the services on this 17 track record from Raekwon, Prodigy, N.O.R.E, Tony Yayo, Pusha T, King Sevin and Young Lito.
New York Album track listing below:
- Classic Feel [Prod. By Mally The Martian]
- Cigar Smoke (Feat. King Sevin) [Prod. By Scram Jones]
- Divas & Dimes [Prod. By John Scino]
- New York City (Feat. Raekwon, N.O.R.E. & Prodigy) [Prod. By John Scino]
- Mama Tears [Prod. By John Scino]
- Viking [Prod. By Marce Reazon]
- Me Against The World [Prod. By Prime & Keyz]
- My Grind [Prod. By Rubirosa]
- Show Me Love (Feat. Tony Yayo) [Prod. By Yankee]
- Piggy Bank [Prod. By Harry Fraud]
- Lullaby [Prod. By Chase N Cashe]
- Hot Out [Prod. By Scram Jones]
- Everything (Feat. Pusha T) [Prod. By DJ Uneek]
- I Know Why You Mad [Prod. By Meth]
- Beneath Me [Prod. By Sledgren]
- Regretful [Prod. By Araab Muzik]
- I’m Dat Nigga (Feat. Young Lito) [Prod. By Reefa & Myles William For ATM]
You can get New York City from iTunes here. (*Disclaimer: If you purchase from the link, we get a very small commission)
Interviews:
Not one to shy away from questions about his past (well he can’t really, because his lyric content paints a pretty colourful picture), Troy is truthful and diplomatic when the probing questions fly in. The questions will put any artist on the spot. Especially about his past, other artists, hip hop from New York and the general state of hip hop.
Troy answers in a manner you can only assume he knows how. By being true to himself.
Check out the two interviews below from Power 105 and Hot 97:
[leadplayer_vid id=”52A653C894761″] – Power 105
[leadplayer_vid id=”52A6541868AD0″] – Hot 97
Conclusion:
Most certainly an artist that keeps the fire burning for heads that love mid-nineties street rap. Refreshing if you feel like you’re getting pummelled with 808 bass constantly, and wouldn’t mind listening to something different.
Big beats from dope producers. Tight lyrical flows and vivid picture painting from someone that surely holds it up for the East Coast.
Not only one to watch for 2014, but one to watch from here on out.
Contact info:
Now What?
If you like this post and would like to stay updated with all things Itch FM, click here to join a bunch of other Hip Hop heads!