WTM's Nine Jersey Acts to watch in 2019

Nine Acts, All musicians from New Jersey that are about to blow. You need to keep up with them now. This list isn't in any specific order. It's genre bending and frankly these are the people making noise that go unnoticed. Eyes and ears open ladies and gentlemen

By way of Jackson and Freehold, Drew the Recluse is a budding name in music around the Jersey Shore. These days you'll catch him playing The Saint, House of Independents, and the Stone Pony. You can also catch him at the Asbury Park Music Foundation working with the kids. The Singer-Emcee is one of the more talented guys from around the way incorporating multiple styles of music expression from Rap to Pop and Blues to Metal. If you ever get the chance go see him, Miles Nxbxdy, and the rest of Black Suburbia live. He's a true showman and I'm not sure I know anyone who loves the culture more. He's even been booking shows for a plethora of artists around the way. Look out for his project dropping soon but listen to his single, Drive below.



Sadé Emoni is a vocal powerhouse. In 30 years I'd put her up with all the R&B divas you know and love. I'm talking Patti, Beyoncé, Aretha, and Chaka. Difference is with that powerful of a R&B voice she mixes in her own modern sound. You can tell when a vocalist grew up in church. Without ever asking I'm sure that's where it all started. She was even on American Idol Season 10. The Jersey City by way of Woodbridge songstress is next up. Doin' the Most is her latest single, I'm sure a project may be on the way shortly after.

Circle of Life LP is one of those projects I think will be timeless. Jon Crawford is such a storyteller and Circle of Life is such a story. It's going to be interesting to see what comes after the coming of age tale of college, parenthood, and family. The follow up is coming very very soon, and so is my sit down interview with the Camden emcee. Look out for that, I think it's going to be special.

I call Mista Encore one of the hardest working artists in Jersey for a reason. The Long Branch artist has been bubbling not just in the area but nationally as he's appeared on Shade 45's Sway in the Morning. Earlier this year he dropped his latest EP, The Cleanse but it's what he's been doing on a day to day that's really caught my eye, or ears for that matter. The rapper-producer has been been doing a daily beat challenge this year releasing a new beat every day of the year. That's what I call a grind and I'm not gonna hold you, the tracks are too hard. Even the one co-produced by his toddler daughter is fire. To keep up with the beat challenge, follow him on instagram here!

Here's an act new on WTM radar. This past fall I caught Quincy Mumford playing at Blackbird Presents during Asbury Underground. The lead singer of The Reason Why is an Asbury Park native and is a true representation of the word, crossover. His blend of funk, and jazz meets hip-hop and R&B. He's a multi-instrumentalist and labels D'Angelo and Al Green as his greatest influencers. We certainly can hear it in his music. Check out a single he dropped last month, Cruisin'.

It's been a bit since we've heard from Cin. The last I've written about her was her debut tape, Just Til I Make it back in 2016. She did drop a tape last summer titled 7/10. To this day I still she made the hardest Jersey anthem with Straight Outta Jersey respectively. Cin has the most upside of every artist on this list. Her island roots give her a chance to dabble in the Caribbean inspired sound that is trendy today without it sounding corny. We all know when it's natural. She has a great singing voice so she doesn't have to ask for many assists for hooks. At the same time she's a better emcee than most of the boys too. 2019 can be the year she breaks. Check out her last project, 7/10 on Apple Music.

Mike Sav at FEELS LIKE R&B (shot by David Alexander for We Are Jersey)

Above Art Studios, House of Independents (twice), The Brooklyn Bowl. Those are a few establishments that have been shut down courtesy Mike Sav and that's just 3 months into 2019. He's been working with cover band Remember Jones, Shiitbagg, and a bunch of artists in the shore but his versatility will be the reason he doesn't stay in the shore. Mike is a talented singer as well as a gritty emcee with an ear for production. He's probably the most seasoned artist who isn't afraid to change and adapt. Pay close attention, he's up to something.

Making a Man is going to need a follow up. Marcus Ariah has one of the most mobilized fan bases behind him and he's bringing heat. We've already got a new single with, Big Baaa. The Newark emcee has collaborated with Casanova, Shotgun Suge and more. He's ready and hungry. He describes himself as an artist that can reminisce a 90's flow and switch up to a modern sound. I say it all the time, Ariah is a expert songwriter. It comes easy.

Let me tell you something. If you like to see a show, OFFTOPKILLS will give you one. You're slippin' if you don't ever get the chance to catch them live. Parker Caexar, Ice Cream Eric, Gnarly Nonsense, and Matty Green make up the high energy rap group reppin' Monmouth County. Musically you can do a lot with them. Headbanging and Moshing meets boom-bap and trap. They're pretty versatile and frankly they can all spit. I've only got to catch these guys live twice and I hosted one of the shows. Seeing them from the front row and backstage has given me perspective. I think they hold their fate in their own hands. They're only one or two chess moves from doing something really special. Recently the members have all been dropping their own music but here's Lost Boys from the collective.