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Transferring the reflective style of rappers like Drake to the genre of gangsta rap, Louisiana-based MC Kevin Gates spent five-plus years on the mixtape circuit before climbing into the Top 40 of the Billboard 200 album chart with his 2013 release, Stranger Than Fiction. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Gates made his mixtape debut in 2007 with Pick of da Litter. Mixtapes with titles like All In and I Don't Know What to Call It, Vol. 1 appeared over the next few years, but in 2013 he dropped the popular The Luca Brasi Story mixtape and things changed quickly. After appearing on high-profile mixtapes from Pusha T and Gudda Gudda, Gates signed a contract with major-label Atlantic. He completed his contract with the indie imprint Breadwinners Association by releasing Stranger Than Fiction that same year. The album featured guest spots from Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J, and Starlito, and debuted at number 37 on the Billboard 200 chart. Plies, 2 Chainz, and Doe B helped deliver his 2014, Atlantic-released mixtape By Any Means, and the next year saw the single "Kno One" preview his 2016 LP, Islah. ~ David Jeffries Follow @iamkevingates on twitter! kvngates.com/tour http://www.officialbwa.com

Known as Tity Boi in the Atlanta-based Playaz Circle, 2 Chainz launched a successful solo career in 2010 and issued hits like "No Lie" and "Where U Been" while becoming the go-to artist for guest verses. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, 2 Chainz first went solo in 2007 with the mixtape Me Against the World. The 2Pac references continued with his 2009 mixtapes Trap-A-Velli and All Ice on Me, but 2010's Me Against the World 2: Codeine Withdrawal hit his style on the nose with the last bit of its title, and when DJ Teknikz and DJ Frank White collected his best street tracks in 2011, the hard and hazy set of cuts was dubbed the Codeine Cowboy mixtape. That same year he was featured on David Banner's "Yao Ming" and Big K.R.I.T.'s "Money on the Floor," while a year later he landed on Kanye West's "Mercy" as well as Nicki Minaj's "Beez in the Trap." He also signed with the Def Jam label in 2012 and released the single "No Lie" before dropping his official debut, Based on a T.R.U. Story. Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Mike Posner were among the Grammy-nominated album's special guests, while production was handled by the likes of the-Dream and Drumma Boy. Following later announcements that 2 Chainz had been working on new material with Pharrell Williams and Drake, a sequel -- titled B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time -- arrived in September 2013. The album featured the hits "Feds Watching" and "Where U Been," but 2 Chainz was also heard on singles from B.o.B. ("Headband"), Major Lazer ("Bubble Butt"), and Juicy J ("Bandz a Make Her Dance") that same year, while 2014 saw him joining Sage the Gemini on the Imasu! single "Only That Real." In 2016, he released the solo single "Feel Like Cappin'" along with the album ColleGrove, a collaboration with Lil Wayne, although only 2 Chainz was credited due to label issues. ~ David Jeffries Follow @2chainz on twitter! Follow @LilTunechi on twitter! smarturl.it/ColleGrove

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Raised in the Southwest area of Atlanta, Lotto Savage is quickly building his name as one of the city’s fastest-rising rappers. Closely affiliated with Slaughter Gang’s 21 Savage, as well as Bases Loaded Records labelmate Yakki, Lotto Savage is emerging as artist with his own sound and message. Lotto is currently preparing the release of his debut solo project in 2016 titled “Don Slaughter,” hosted by mixtape heavyweights DJ Holiday and DJ Kutt Throat. This tape follows his 2015 breakout feature on 21 Savage’s “Dirty K,” which has gained over 1 million views on WorldstarHipHip.com and appeared on 21’s “Slaughter King” mixtape. The success of “Dirty K” was a major turning point for Lotto, both in creating a buzzing music career and giving him a positive influence outside the street life. “I just want to tell people about my struggle and how I changed,” he says genuinely. “I’ve been down the road, I did time, and there’s lessons I learned.” Looking up to greats like Tupac and Biggie, Lotto has found his calling as a truth-teller for the youth. “Everything I say comes from the heart, I really did what I’m talking about,” he says. “I’ve been out [of jail] for 2 years and now I’m on songs with hot artists. I want to put out my story and have it help somebody else.” Capitalizing off his recent accomplishments, the newly focused rapper has been performing at popular Atlanta venues like The Mansion, where Travis Scott took an interest in Lotto. Travis Scott is slated to appear on the upcoming release of Lotto’s debut single “Trapped It Out.” The single will be heavily promoted throughout the southeast, in both clubs and radio outlets, and Lotto is predicting the premiere to be a big hit in the coming months. In addition to the Travis Scott feature, the “Don Slaughter” project will include appearances from 21 Savage, Yakki, Young Nudy (Slaughter Gang), and Lil Yachty. Lotto is also featured on Yakki’s mixtape “YakkStick” coming soon, and the “FreeManManSavage 2” mixtape out now. The newly signed Bases Loaded Records artist now has a solid team backing his music efforts. After being introduced to the label through longtime friends Shooter, Ken and Yakki, BLR soon realized how well-liked and respected Lotto is among his peers. His movement and leadership paired with the music business experience of BLR is a promising union. “I got somebody behind me now,” he says gratefully, “and that’s a blessing.” The motivation for Lotto to be as big as Jay-Z or Dr. Dre has never been stronger, but his goals go beyond money and fame. “I’m speaking facts, actual stuff that happened to me,” he says. “There’s a message in everything I talk about, and I want to create a change.” Follow @lottosavage21 on twitter! IG-1lottosavage

Drake was a cross-platform cultural phenomenon in the 2010s. The songwriter, producer, rapper, and singer sustained a high-level commercial presence shortly after he turned to rapping in 2006, whether on his own chart-topping releases or through a long string of guest appearances on hits by the likes of Lil Wayne, Rihanna, and A$AP Rocky. Each one of the former child actor's first three albums, as well as a 2015 mixtape that followed them, topped the album charts in his native Canada and in the U.S. Though he caroused with his most hedonistic contemporaries, Drake was frequently praised for his sensitive, introspective approach to rap and R&B. Known initially for his role as Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation, the Toronto, Ontario-born Aubrey Drake Graham stepped out as a rapper and singer with pop appeal in 2006, when he initiated a series of mixtapes. A year later, despite being unsigned, he scored major exposure when his cocky and laid-back track "Replacement Girl," featuring Trey Songz, was featured on BET's 106 & Park program as its "Joint of the Day." He raised his profile throughout the next several months by popping up on countless mixtapes and remixes, and as rumors swirled about contract offers from labels, he gradually became one of the most talked-about artists in the industry. It did not hurt that he had support from the likes of Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne. By the end of June 2009, "Best I Ever Had," a promotional single, had climbed to number two on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. After a fierce bidding war, Drake signed with Universal Motown in late summer and released an EP (So Far Gone) made up of songs from his popular So Far Gone mixtape. It peaked at number six on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and won a 2010 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year. Thank Me Later, a full-length featuring collaborations with the Kings of Leon, the-Dream, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne, was issued through Young Money the following year. It debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Still, the artist felt his debut was rushed, so its 2011 follow-up arrived with the title Take Care, referencing the increased time and effort put into the album's creation. Receiving critical acclaim, Grammy Awards, and the number one slot on the U.S. Billboard 200, Take Care cemented Drake's place as one of Canada's biggest exports. In 2012, while on tour, Drake announced that he had started work on what would be his third studio album. Nothing Was the Same was released in September of 2013. The album spawned many singles, topped charts around the world, was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, and was nominated for a Best Rap Album Grammy. Soon after the album's release he hit the road on an extended tour, taking time off for collabos and a few singles, included the Grammy-nominated "0 to 100/The Catch Up." His next release was planned as a free mixtape before Cash Money decided they would rather charge for it. The decidedly downbeat If You're Reading This It's Too Late was released in early 2015 and debuted at number one, while all 17 of its songs entered the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. What a Time to Be Alive, a mixtape collaboration with Future that featured the single "Jumpman," went straight to number one that September. ~ Andy Kellman Follow @Drake on twitter! Follow @S_C_ on twitter! Follow @kanyewest on twitter! octobersveryown.com republicrec.co/PopStyleExplicit

Drake was a cross-platform cultural phenomenon in the 2010s. The songwriter, producer, rapper, and singer sustained a high-level commercial presence shortly after he turned to rapping in 2006, whether on his own chart-topping releases or through a long string of guest appearances on hits by the likes of Lil Wayne, Rihanna, and A$AP Rocky. Each one of the former child actor's first three albums, as well as a 2015 mixtape that followed them, topped the album charts in his native Canada and in the U.S. Though he caroused with his most hedonistic contemporaries, Drake was frequently praised for his sensitive, introspective approach to rap and R&B. Known initially for his role as Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation, the Toronto, Ontario-born Aubrey Drake Graham stepped out as a rapper and singer with pop appeal in 2006, when he initiated a series of mixtapes. A year later, despite being unsigned, he scored major exposure when his cocky and laid-back track "Replacement Girl," featuring Trey Songz, was featured on BET's 106 & Park program as its "Joint of the Day." He raised his profile throughout the next several months by popping up on countless mixtapes and remixes, and as rumors swirled about contract offers from labels, he gradually became one of the most talked-about artists in the industry. It did not hurt that he had support from the likes of Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne. By the end of June 2009, "Best I Ever Had," a promotional single, had climbed to number two on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. After a fierce bidding war, Drake signed with Universal Motown in late summer and released an EP (So Far Gone) made up of songs from his popular So Far Gone mixtape. It peaked at number six on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and won a 2010 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year. Thank Me Later, a full-length featuring collaborations with the Kings of Leon, the-Dream, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne, was issued through Young Money the following year. It debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Still, the artist felt his debut was rushed, so its 2011 follow-up arrived with the title Take Care, referencing the increased time and effort put into the album's creation. Receiving critical acclaim, Grammy Awards, and the number one slot on the U.S. Billboard 200, Take Care cemented Drake's place as one of Canada's biggest exports. In 2012, while on tour, Drake announced that he had started work on what would be his third studio album. Nothing Was the Same was released in September of 2013. The album spawned many singles, topped charts around the world, was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, and was nominated for a Best Rap Album Grammy. Soon after the album's release he hit the road on an extended tour, taking time off for collabos and a few singles, included the Grammy-nominated "0 to 100/The Catch Up." His next release was planned as a free mixtape before Cash Money decided they would rather charge for it. The decidedly downbeat If You're Reading This It's Too Late was released in early 2015 and debuted at number one, while all 17 of its songs entered the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. What a Time to Be Alive, a mixtape collaboration with Future that featured the single "Jumpman," went straight to number one that September. ~ Andy Kellman Follow @Drake on twitter! Follow @PopcaanMusic on twitter! octobersveryown.com