8PAST - New Bedford Artists To Watch (Article)
Hello, one and all. My name is Sky Bento. I’m new to the roster here at TDN, but not new to the game. In fact, I’ve been making my rounds through the underground scene of New Bedford, Massachusetts for about 10 years.
In recent years, there have been some very dope artists to emerge from New Bedford (referred to by some as the 8PAST for its 508 area code - we don’t mess with 5-0). Even some older acts have also found new life in today’s culture. That said, I want to shine the spotlight on a few of the biggest drops to come from the 8PAST recently.
Check them out below:
GMD Jets - Flintachusets (feat. Rio da Yung OG & Louie Ray)
First and foremost, GMD Jets is a respectful dude always looking out for his guys. But musically speaking, Jets is nothing if not disrespectfully honest and that’s what makes him so captivating. This also makes him a solid match on wax for any rapper akin to Michigan’s new wave of hilariously truthful MCs. From Teejayx6 to Kasher Quon to YN Jay, Detroit & Flint have been showing him a lot of love by lacing him with features, adding this “FLINTACHUSETS” record to his canon.
His more East Coast take on these types of beats brings back memories of the grimy mixtape diss tracks legends like Cam’Ron or 50 Cent perfected in the early aughts. His punchlines sound like he just wants you to do better, and that makes for some incredible grinding music. For more from GMD Jets, check out his 2019 mixtape “SMV Sailing “
#FreeRio
Twitter: @GMDjets
IG: @lil.everywhere
Yung Quapo - Victim To The System (feat. TheRid3)Yung Quapo is the sound of the city. Not saying that everybody in New Bedford tries to sound like Quap, but a few years ago the melodic rap wave - a la A Boogie & Lil Tjay - made its way from New York to Massachusetts thanks in large part to local artists like Xagi Yung. That sound has taken on a life of its own with a lot of the younger New Bedford artists who speak their pain in the highest octaves auto-tune will help them reach; None more than Yung Quapo.
He himself has been heating up for a couple of years but ever since he got home from jail at the top of 2021, he’s been grinding relentlessly by dropping video after video (one of which was even directed by GMD Jets). Personally, the last time I saw him I told him to stay focused and keep his foot on y’all necks. He definitely hasn’t let me down yet. Check out his Youtube channel for more of his work.
Fresco - Fast LifeFresco is the hottest DJ in New Bedford — bar none. This dude is hip-hop to the core and whenever he spins an event, that’s the place to be. Before he started to perfect that craft, he was an MC and made a name for himself with his “TGIF” mixtape series, as well as being one-half of The NonBelievers (along with fellow New Bedford native Qwin Omaru). With a cool, laid-back East Coast swagger and a voice capable of getting aggressive when it needs to, he has once again returned to the mic with his new video for “Fast Life” off of his new EP “Port Of New Bedford”. Check that out here.
IG: @youknowfresco
Twitter: @youknowfresco