For Fans Of: Lupe Fiasco, Rhymefest, Little Brother
The wind of Chicago is spinning through hip-hop with the sole purpose of only causing rappers from the Windy city to fly to the top of everyone's radar. Not to mention that Rhymefest, Kid Sister, Cool Kids, Kidz in the Hall, and that ubiquitous producer/MC easily recognizable by his first name have ensured Chi-Town's hip-hop hegemony of late. In fact, the #1 rapper on the 2006 version of this list was a guy named Lupe Fiasco, who went on to register some significant success. Gemstones (born Demarco Castle), Lupe's hypeman and longtime friend, is now hoping to capitalize on Chicago's current rap dominance.
Gemstones was formerly known as Gemini in his days as a drug-rapper. Along with his new moniker came a rebirth, with emphasis on a more positive -- albeit less lucrative -- rap persona. After working the mixtape circuit ferociously and guesting on Lupe's albums, Gemstones is gearing up to take centerstage on his solo debut, Troubles of the World, out 2009.
- I Recommend: "The Testimony of Gemstones" [Free Download]
