Lary’s Seasoncontinues Mike Lary hits us over the head with the official video for his lead single, “Johnny Cage”. Directed by HotBehindTheLens and produced by Snooza. Mike Lary melodically impresses as he slips and slides through the shoulder moving beat, with an arsenal of different flows and cadences. A real anthem to make some money, kick ass and flex too. One with such as appropriate name. As you already know, you’ll be hearing the name Mike Lary more often as the year unfolds.
2018 was yet another monumental year for Florida and its respective rap sector. As new faces arrived and existing talent continue to excel, it came at no surprise to see a headline at the end of the year read: “Could Florida Become The New Atlanta?”
Though it was flattering, the answer to that question is simply, no. Florida has its own unique identity, especially when it comes to music. Any comparison made to the 305, 954, 561, 407, 813, or 904, respectively, is a setup for a poor argument. It’s safe to say that, overall, the sunshine state is overlooked and labeled incorrectly very often. The fact of the matter is that there is such a wide range of rap being offered, from the Panhandle to Miami, that no box could ever be put on Florida—and that is exactly the dynamic that separates it from the other regions.
With all of that taken into consideration, the CitrusRap staff has compiled the best rap to come out of Florida this year. It was not easy, but certainly necessary in order to properly highlight our choices for Florida’s impressive output in 2018. When viewing, keep in mind that this is compiled of our staff’s opinions and are in no particular order, so the last is certainly not least. We hope you enjoyed 2018 as much as we did. Be sure to keep supporting Florida rap in 2019 and beyond!
DIRECTOR: Pablo Vasquez III
2018 was an underground breakout year for Tampa’s Big Baby Scumbag. Putting together a handful of highlights. From touring around the country, Rolling Loud Miami to heading across the pond to the UK with one the future comedic heavy hitters, Zack Fox. But our favorite moment was when Big Baby & Pablo Vasquez released the official video for “Dale Earnhardt”. A cultural blend of traditional southern lifestyle and rap culture. The greatest part of this entire experience was when the dedicatee himself, Dale Earnhardt JR, put his stamp of approval on the visual, along with many other notable professional Nascar drivers. Just when we think that Big Baby Scumbag has blown our minds past repair, he dropped off a hood Nascar anthem and true southerners, like ourselves, went bat s**t.
DIRECTOR: Cole Bennett
After a long run throughout 2017 and 2018, “LA LA” is the joint that made the cut. The lead single visual by Ski Mask The Slump God from his late November released album, STOKELEY. Directed long time collaborator and one of 2018 leading rap based filmmakers, Cole Bennett. Ski and Cole Bennett puts their talents and artistry together to create a vengefuland monstrous tale that ends with a spiriting XXXTENTACION making a cameo as timely as Thor in Avengers: Infinity War.
DIRECTOR: Lonewolf
One of our sleeper picks for 2018. Palm Beach’s own has been putting out ether on the net in a consistent manner (pun intended). Wifisfuneral & Lonewolf dropped off a constantly eye drawing, scene transitioning, effect driven video for his steadily growing hit, “25 Lighters”. As Florida’s different waves of creatives steadily phases in and out of different “clout” based art, Wifisfuneral has continued to stay true to his image of self and “25 Lighters” is a perfect visual to what we as Florida rap lovers love to see from the young artist.
DIRECTOR: Savannah Cristina & Amadeus
If you’re a Florida native and book veteran, then it was hard to miss when Savannah Cristina dropped off 2018 jook hit, “Florida Boy”. Her directorial debut, alongside Amadeus. Filmed in and with residents of both Dade and Broward counties, Savannah Cristina helped bridge a gap between the two prominent sides of South Florida’s growing music culture. All she needed was a fye track that she could jook to and the rest was history.
DIRECTOR: Tristian Zammit
After releasing a critically acclaimed album (Five Five), Pouya linked up with one of today’s most sought after animators, Philly’s Tristian Zammit, to deliver the official video for his head strong single, “Daddy Issues”. A new generation love story set in an anime world where Kaiju battle in the middle of the club for genuine affection, that’s something next level in itself. So of course it made the list.
DIRECTOR: Travis Scott
A viral hit turned meme classic overnight. “ZeZe” was already on it’s way to becoming an internet smash, but once the official video dropped, all expectations doubled. Helping Kodak Black obtain his first #1 charting track on Billboard’s Top 100. “ZeZe” is the random though spaced brain child of Kodak Black and Travis Scott, the directed and the chorus feature artist.
DIRECTOR: Jonathan Benavente
When Sylvan LaCue dropped his visual album, Florida Man, he did his civil duty of showcasing his perspective of South Florida, as honestly as it was depicted in his mind. “Know Your Cause” did just that for us. It gave us a subtle, but crisp and vivid look through Sylvan LaCue’s eyes, as his brain rapidly and furiously narrates his South Florida tales over a new generation classic instrumental.
DIRECTOR: Alex Anthony Vasquez
Steamy, passionate and number charting. Gaby G’s “Closer”, a PornHub exclusive, was on the most eye catching videos on our platform and for obvious reasons. Attacking our sensory fields at all angels. The video co-stars her girlfriend and adult-film actress, Abella Danger, in one of the most viewed pieces of content on CitrusRap of 2018.
DIRECTOR: Zev Deans
2018 low-key was the year of Zel. Denzel Curry released his three part album, TA13OO, to raving reviews and scored notoriety from more than a handful of rocket powered publications. But “Clout Cobain” set the streak off. Directed by Zev Deans, Denzel explores the psychosis of today’s drug induced, imitating and attention seeking generation.
DIRECTOR: JMP
XXXTENTACION’s first post humous release came as a deeply self reflecting image of change, with his JMP directed video for his platinum hit, “SAD!”. The eeriness of the visual, following his untimely death tore at most of the viewer’s hearts. But in such a compact amount of time, the 20 year old artist showed his audience how he would deliver self change and that was to physically destroy his former self. As sentimental as the message is, we are grateful to have been able to witness this journey.
2018 was yet another monumental year for Florida and its respective rap sector. As new faces arrived and existing talent continue to excel, it came at no surprise to see a headline at the end of the year read: “Could Florida Become The New Atlanta?”
Though it was flattering, the answer to that question is simply, no. Florida has its own unique identity, especially when it comes to music. Any comparison made to the 305, 954, 561, 407, 813, or 904, respectively, is a setup for a poor argument. It’s safe to say that, overall, the sunshine state is overlooked and labeled incorrectly very often. The fact of the matter is that there is such a wide range of rap being offered, from the Panhandle to Miami, that no box could ever be put on Florida—and that is exactly the dynamic that separates it from the other regions.
With all of that taken into consideration, the CitrusRap staff has compiled the best rap to come out of Florida this year. It was not easy, but certainly necessary in order to properly highlight our choices for Florida’s impressive output in 2018. When viewing, keep in mind that this is compiled of our staff’s opinions and are in no particular order, so the last is certainly not least. We hope you enjoyed 2018 as much as we did. Be sure to keep supporting Florida rap in 2019 and beyond!
One of Broward’s hardest working musicians dropped off a piece of work this year that can not and will not go unnoticed. Jahrahmf released a 10-track juggernaut called Let’s Get Famous Real Quick. A reasonably titled album made with talent and precision, with the help of his musical friends, in hopes of making it big.
One name circling the streets of FL is Rod Wave and his collection of Hunger Games mixtapes. Hailing from St. Pete, Rod Wave has been steadily building a solid name from himself throughout the past couple of years. After the release of his certified hit, “Heart 4 Sale”, Rod Wave’sHunger Games 3 has been surging in numbers over the past few months. Making him a staple of today’s street musicians of the south.
We get thousands of artist demanding that we listen to their music and thank God that we payed attention to this one. KOI’sWhat I Saw In The Water was one of the few artist submissions that left a serious mark on our radars for the year. KOI revived us with a newfound sound and style that she possessed from early influences and combining that with a unique style of her own. What I Saw In The Water is a gem.
It’s almost as if Griffth can’t do anything wrong, as Robb Bank$ delivered his long-awaited album “Molly World”. Robb Bank$ is the king of anticipation, but no one was prepared for how well put together this album is. With few, but notable features (Chief Keef, Famous Dex, Lil Gnar), Robb delivered a soundtrack for the truly green hearted.
From sold out shows around the nation to co-signs from God Emcees, Sylvan LaCue is definitely on a run for all of Florida to take note of. The passing of his grandmother is what brought Miami’s golden child back home, but the love is what kept his mind above water during what most would consider dark times. Sylvan LaCue instead found peace in creating and Florida Man is what we are gifted with. His own take on Donald Glover’s “Florida Man” urban legend. The parseltongued rhyme savior takes us on a true South Florida experience over a few notablly infamous Florida hits. With the visuals by Jonathan Benavente to accompany it.
City Girls are having an unprecedented breakout year for Florida female artists. From Cardi B and Drake co-signs to viral lingo. To now a highly acclaimed album and soundtrack for the independent, vibrant and active women of our generation with Girl Code. There hasn’t been this kind of push behind two female rap stars since Salt-N-Peppa. PERIODT!
Where his first studio album seemed condensed, but scattered, Pouya hits on on cylinders with FIVE FIVE. A high energy at times, but self indulging batch of tracks that delve into nearly all forms of emotions and Pouya’s reactions to such. FIVE FIVE is a nearly flawless album from the young Miami emcee.
A recent drop, but notable at that and arguably Kodak’s most put together project, even with his least favorite feature tracks. Dying To Live 16 track exploration of KodakBlack’s growth as an adult and rap artist. Usually his star power to acquire a Billboard hit featuring of two of music’s most sought afterwards talents, (Travis Scott & Offset) with “ZeZe”. Also featuring a heart wrench and thought provoking track slightly dedicated to the rememberance of XXXTENTACION with “Malcolm XXX”. Start to finish, Dying To Live is an honest. piece of work
Debuting at #7 and ultimately reaching the #1 spot after his untimely death, ? by XXXTENTACION became a huge part of the record breaking year of rap. As he became the most streamed artist of the year, it also became apparent how timeless his album is. A wide range of sounds, compiled together into one cohesive musical resume, just as he intended to be. From heavy metal to soft pop to viral rap to inspirational ballads, the young artist know as XXXTENTACION gave it all on this monumental album.
It’s tough to not seem a bit mad when creating a concept project. But Denzel Curry let the madness slip and transform into something that will become bigger than him in time. TA13OO is a three part series album, Dark, Gray and Light. Across the three sections of TA13OO, Denzel explores topics including molestation, the presidential election, fame, hatred, paranoia, revenge, love, the current state of music and personal tales of his own near death experiences. Sonically, the album ranges just as widely as its subject matter, sounds of paranoia, fear of loss, brooding melancholy and mood swings straight from hell all find their way onto TA13OO, making this Denzel Curry’s most groundbreaking musical performance to date.
Twelve’Len is currently working on his unnamed upcoming project, but before that drops Twelve’Len is on our pages for this week’s Throwback Thursday, with “Naked Hustle.” Flashback to the beginning of 2017. Before the release of his critically acclaimed album, Friends. Before the high profile publication features. Back to the video that helped kick it all off, when Miami’s starchild, Twelve’Len, released a live rendition of track his tribute to a fellow South Floridian by the name of Bizzle, whom was a big influence on Twelve’len and a notable cornerstone of South Florida’s early underground music scene. As per usual, he serenades listeners with a radiant melody leaving you to press play on the track over and over again.
Watch as South Florida’s Mercy Cain gives us a glimpse into the slight madness of his mind, on “Nirvana”, with the story being told through the lens of the legend, UnkleLuc. An acid trip for your eyes, let’s all gaze at this incising visual as Mercy Cain recites a hardbody verse about his altered reality.
DIRECTOR: BennyFlash PRODUCER: DJ Drizzy FEATURED ON: Living Legend | Stream via Soundcloud
Broward’s self proclaimed living legend, Mike Lary, is back with another dope piece of content for the masses. The official video for “Delusional”, one of the many standout tracks from his project, Living Legend. Mike Lary called up the homie BennyFlash to provide a trippy, cinematic, attention grabbing visuals for his already heavy hitting single. A hood love tale for the new generation.
DIRECTOR: UnkleLuc & FXRBES PRODUCER: Ronny J FEATURED ON: Nostalgic 64 | via Soundcloud
South Florida in 2013 was truly a wave starter. It marked the beginning of Denzel Curry’s solo career, outside of his underground breaking family, Raider Klan. The then 18 year old emcee released his debut studio album, Nostalgic 64. Featuring acts such as JK the Reaper, Lil Ugly Mane, Mike G, Nell, Robb Bank$, Stephen A. Clark, and Yung Simmie. A critically acclaimed project that earned major notoriety, including being placed on Pitchfork’s top 10 albums of 2013. Along with that feat, Denzel Curry, along with the help of his artistic brothers, delivered one of Florida’s most influential and memorable tracks of all time with “Threatz”. Featuring Yung Simmie and Robb Bank$, and with cameos from nearly every young Raider Klan member and South Florida people that you need to know. A high energy, battle cry for the youth of Florida. This moment in history shall and will always be remembered, for it helped catapult our proclaimed star into the eyes of the rest of the nation. That was the moment that Denzel Curry truly became ULTIMATE.
