For the second half of the year, Chase came out blazing with singles frequently, an entire mixtape full to be exact. Featuring top line production from Tha Bizness, Cardo, AraabMuzik and more, it was all just a little teaser for what he plans to do with his first Gangsta Grillz, The Heir Up There. The tape will mark a huge step in the road to success.

The future for Chase can go in many directions. He could follow in the footsteps of his fellow Surf Club brother Hit-Boy and take over the production game or continue on the path to becoming one of the hottest rappers in the game. Regardless, one of the heirs has stepped in the building. Everybody from the 504 needs to stand up and support this man right now.

Chase N. Cashe – Bamboo (Prod. By The University)

Chase N. Cashe – All In (Prod. By D. Rich)

Chase N. Cashe – Anything

Chase N. Cashe – S.S.D. (Prod. By Megaman)

Chase N. Cashe – PC 187 (Prod. By Tha Bizness)

Cuey has been rising to his position for years. After a slew of mixtapes featured on various blogs, he was slowly but surely picking up fans left and right. One of his highlights in 2011 was going on tour with Dean’s List and Gilbere Forte across the U.S. The biggest thing, outside of dropping Leftovers, was putting out Can’t Wait.

Can’t Wait came out on November 16. It featured 88-Keys and Mike Posner as well as his in-house producer CJ Luzi handling most of the production. Seeing all the success from it, a re-release with new songs is planned for a March release date.

Download: Can’t Wait

When a branch comes off a tree, it ends up falling to the ground (well, unless it gets caught on other branches). That’s a pretty good analogy for rappers who come in the game under someone or some group and end up leaving. It’s rare that said rapper finds his footing again. Casey Veggies was once a Odd Future member but before they blew up, he left. Being so young and talented, Casey’s departure just meant a new beginning.

Only 18 years old, Casey graduated from Inglewood High School; on the honor roll too. By the time he reached this milestone in his life, his name was already buzzing from Sleeping In Class, boasting singles like “Ridin’ Roun Town” and “30,000”. Over the summer and fall, that buzz easily doubled while he toured the country with XV (summer) and Mac Miller (fall). Veggies also re-released a deluxe edition for Sleeping In Class featuring new records.

At such a young age, Casey’s potential is not even close to being reached yet. There’s still a ton of growing to do, which will make dope music even more potent. A promising 2012 is in his hands with Customized Greatly Vol. 3 set to drop this Spring as well as features and touring to fill in the rest of the calender. Swag.

Purchase: Sleeping In Class (Deluxe Edition) | Physical

Creativity is a must to stand out in this game. Neako released songs like, “1-333-777-2323” and “← ↓ → ↑ (Left, Down, Right, Up)” that pretty much gave him the award for most creative titles of the year. Not only was he standing out but it was good music that resonated with his growing fan base.

Currently, Neako is preparing to put out T.A.T.T. (These Are The Times) sometime in the coming months but also further advance the particular sound we’ve seen on “Ice” or “Dev’s Theme” (off Wiz and Snoop’s Mac & Devin album). Three fingers to the sun.

Download: LoudPackTree | The Number 23

Staircases & Elevators

In April, Devin emerged with his first project, a 14 track album titled Finding My Own. The only features came from fellow RLes Society member Young Scolla (another SD freshmen) and Fashawn with production handled by Big Jerm, I.D. Labs, The University and more. In short, it was a magnificent first step in the game.

Since then, Devin has released plenty of videos off his EP and several songs in between while he works on his next project. The only information he’s shared thus far is that Fashawn and Juicy J will be appearing on Life, his collaborative with The University (best known for producing J. Cole’s “Dollar & A Dream III). Whatever the case, the sun is shining for the Pittsburgh native.

Download: Finding My Own

Devin Miles Ft. Young Scolla – Fade (Prod. By Cardo)

Devin Miles Ft. Juicy J – Slab (Prod. By The University)

Devin Miles – Say It Once, Say It Twice (Prod. By Chase N. Cashe)

This isn’t Scolla’s first taste of success. For the last couple years, he’s gone under the radar despite working with the likes of Mac Miller, Casey Veggies, Machine Gun Kelly and more. He’s held his own against them as well. His videos have been as professional as you can get, one of his latest was directed by Motion Family. There’s a recipe for success and Scolla has been adding in his own flavor.

Scolla is making sure his team comes with him as he rises up in the game. In addition to his work with them, he’ll be focusing his talents on an all R&B project slated to drop sometime in February.

Download: Seconds Away

On November 19, 2010, his sophomore effort, Raw, was released under his own label, Funk Volume. Taking shots at everyone from Lil Wayne to Rick Ross on songs like “Sag My Pants” were small things compared to “Kill Her” when he plots to murder Eazy’s widow. The whole album was a lot of getting his anger out. This mixed in with his lyricism is a deadly combination.

After getting all his aggression out, plus appearing on Tech N9ne’s “Am I A Psycho,” Knock Madness, Hopsin’s third album, is set to be more toned toward spreading positive messages within his lyricism, similar to “Nocturnal Rainbows.” Currently, there isn’t a set release date for it, but the first single/video is on the way; Leading to a possible first quarter release.

Purchase: Gazing At The Moonlight | Raw

With a dead end job and other issues going on in his life, Rittz looked at White Jesus as his last effort. His close friend, Yelawolf was getting bigger but the stress was building. Everything slowly turned around once a promise Yela made started to unfold right in front of his eyes. Before he knew it, that job was over and his next job was to rock the stage every night on tour with Wolf. The crazy haired Slumerican affiliate also dropped a show-stealing verse on Yela’s debut, Radioactive, with “Growing Up In The Gutter”

Keeping us in suspense, Rittz’s next project, titled White Jesus: Revival, is already coming out well according to DJ Burn One, who will be producing the bulk of it like White Jesus. As long as he keeps laying down these incredible records the world can feel, before you know it, he’ll be on the same level as the man that gave him a shot.

Fulla Shit Ft. Big K.R.I.T. & Yelawolf

Dixxxie Cup

Download: White Jesus

Better known to the world as The Weeknd, the Toronto native has been hiding under Drake’s wings for quite some time. Finally, in March, Drake’s blog, October’s Very Own, introduced the R&B gift to the world with House Of Balloons. It was critically acclaimed through various reviews and fans. Some even considered it the best project of 2011. The man shrouded in mystery continued to impress by dropping a more experimental effort with Thursday. Finally, he wrapped up his trilogy with Echoes Of Silence. Appearing on a couple records on Drake’s Take Care helped to expand his fan base.

Still, Abel plays that hidden field well. He’s only performed a few shows and has never spoken to media with no signs of that changing. Already wrapping up his trilogy set of projects leaves speculation for what’s next. More free projects? Is he going to sign a deal (lord knows every label would love to have him)? He did announce a re-release of his three tapes with new features and everything re-mastered. Of course, he kept any other details a secret. The Weeknd mystery continues.

Download: House Of Balloons | Thursday | Echoes Of Silence

The Weeknd – Cure

The Weeknd – The Appointment

This past summer, she released her Unorthodox project with no big features or production. Just a little bit of buzz, a free version with DJ Whoo Kid hosting and some diverse topics. Whether she was tongue twisting, like on “Unorthodox” or “I Bet You Won’t,” or showing off her singing with “Like That” or “Drunk Love,” the Cali-born, Texas-living Spanish rapper kept it interesting.

With blogs slowly opening up their eyes to her, she’s shooting more videos off Unorthodox to keep that push going. A lot of people got hip but there’s still a long way to go. Snow is also currently working on her next project, currently untitled. Expect high chances of snow in 2012.

Download: Unorthodox 0.5 | Purchase: Unorthodox (untagged version)