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.

Watch: Mental Note - @ARealCin feat. @loveleilaniii; A Niles P. Joint

Cin’s mixtape is the gift that keeps on giving.  Despite seeing a physical release in December of 2015, Just Till I Make It has now been released on DatPiff and other mixtape websites for digital download.  Never ones to miss a promotional opportunity, the A1 squad recently released a brand new video for Mental Note featuring Leilani.  Even when Cin was selling CDs sans tracklist, I remember this track standing out, especially the echoing saxophone (my readers know I love a good saxophone in a rap instrumental tapestry.)  Upon further listens, the song is a heartfelt letter to late loved ones.  Cin effortlessly mixes rapping and singing into her flow and Leilani complements everything with her hook.

The video builds on the concept even more on a few different levels.  It goes in full storytelling mode like with TT’s Story.  This one illustrates how soon life can be taken away in three separate stories.  It has a real life tie in as the credits before and after the song pay tribute to a handful of dearly departed individuals from the Neptune/Asbury Park area.  The cinematography is also on point as the special effects go.  They even used a drone for a few exterior shots.  I’m putting it in writing right now: Cin has the best/most creative videos in Jersey and single handedly raised the proverbial bar.  See for yourself; the video for Mental Note is after the break

Watch: TT Story - @ARealCin; A Niles P. Joint

Logic dictates that if you’re a local rapper, your first video will consist of you and your friends hanging out in your neighborhood/hometown. 

Here at WTM, we sift through a ton of videos like that. So when local girl Cin announced that she was making a video for TT Story, I was amped. Coming off of her debut mixtape Just Till I Make It, the track is a cautionary tale of sorts about abusive relationships, along with sexual assault. They're powerful themes that get glossed over by big name artists, so a new artist tackling them is even more impressive.

The song is excellent and being a storytelling track, it doesn’t leave room for a mediocre video. Working with Life’s A Movie, Cin and her A1 clique go all out and cast parts for TT, Blue, and other supporting characters. While Cin plays both parts on the song, the acting in the video is solid and takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotion through TT’s abusive relationship. The viewer will feel naively happy one minute and wearily creeped out the next. The whole team breathed life into what was the staff’s favorite song on the tape. I just hope they keep their promise and continue the story (no spoilers!) at a later date. As for any local emcees watching from the sidelines, be aware. Cin has raised the bar for what a local rap video should be. Step your quality up or get lost. Check the video for TT Story after the break.

Editorial Review: Just Till I Make It - @ARealCin

"I know you don't know me, but I'm apart of A1; from the Neptune area." That was my first conversation with Cinsay. She invited me to her mixtape release party where she and her collective first unveiled Just Till I Make It. Being a Neptune Native and music fan I try not to let much get past my ear in Jersey, let alone my own backyard. Of course I've heard of her. Especially when I heard her verse on Hollywood Terrance that I first heard on her labelmate MostDope's POME tape (more on that later).

Let's get to it. Cin really impresses us with her skills as an emcee as well as her vocals. As a project it's pretty dope. If I had to make comparisons to anyone in the game it'd have to be Nicki Minaj. Not because they are both lady emcees but how well she manipulates her voice and flows from rapping to singing and tone throughout any particular track. She wasn't a stranger to sharing spotlight as she made way for many features including Mike Sav, K Prez, Annalee, Esco, and A1 labelmates Apollo, Eli, and MostDope. It's a great variety of moods and vibes of the music. There's music for the pregame, the gym, and even a few love songs on here too. She truly is versatile and has a crazy skillset. 


If I had to choose songs that stood out two of them are the singles, Hollywood Terrance and Straight Outta Jersey. We already expressed how awesome we think Hollywood Terrance is a few times but Straight Outta Jersey really serves as a great anthem for the state. If I had my way it'd be on every radio station and club dj in the tri-state just in time for the summer. This is the best anthem to the Garden State I've ever heard no argument. Another song I really loved was TT Story. It's definitely my favorite as Niles could tell you how much I raved over this one. Cinsay really shows she's more than adept as a storyteller. The song was so raw. Either she's been through a lot of stuff or she needs to pick up acting. Either way, TT story hit home. She illiterates and paints a crazy picture the listener could create in their head. Speaking of visuals, word on the street this video is dropping tonight so look out for that tomorrow on WTM. If there's any Meek Mill fans left this reminds me of how Meek did Tony Story on Dreamchasers (one) and part two on Dreams & Nightmares. This was well done.



If I had to be critical of her debut project I wouldn't have too much to say. As Niles puts it, she made rookie mistakes, that's fine this is her first go round. I would vary her beat selection just a little more. I love bangers just as much as the next guy but her talent and versatility is clear. I'm sure she'd do well on a different variety of beats. I'd lay off the autotune a little bit too. It's fine in some situations but she has a great raw voice let's hear it. For awhile I was confused on who's song was Hollywood Terrance. Until Trust gave me the deal I thought it was MostDope's especially because we first heard it on his debut project. Although the replay value is still there I'm not the greatest fan of reusing songs but to be honest, the whole industry does it. Usually on debut projects you shouldn't see a bunch of features. First time around we wanna hear you and see what you can do. The features only helped and didn't hinder the project at all though so not completely negative. The only distraction is the random sound bites, intros, and yelling from randoms in some of the songs. At times you can lose your place in the project. It didn't have a complete structure and at times it sounds like a collection of songs rather than a story being told. Maybe that wasn't the goal this go round. Lastly, I wish there was album art. Maybe I'm a stickler (or I just missed it) but album art is always a great expression to get new fans to press play.

Anyways she approached me humbly about how hard she worked on this project. To deny that and I'd be lying. I also love that this is a physical project and something you have to go out and get. If you don't reach out and get a signed copy personally you could cop the second single on iTunes. This one was seriously worth the purchase. I really look forward to sitting down with her and the rest of the A1 crew soon. There's something brewing in Jersey and especially the shore. I think we all better pay heed. As for Cin I think she has the potential to be the next big thing. Talents like her don't come around often. With a little time and promotion I seriously doubt WTM will be the only ones talking about her. Just Till I Make It gets 4 of 5 Stars on the Ramsey Rating Scale. I really suggest you guys reach out and grab a copy.

Listen: This Christmas - An A1 Christmas

It's safe to say when the holidays come around I'm usually not in the Christmas mood.

Anyone who works retail could understand my plight of listening to the Christmas music on repeat all day long. With that being said, I noticed A1 was putting together a Christmas EP. Now we got a few singers and rappers putting together a Christmas project. Non-conventional is an understatement. I haven't seen it before since Run DMC but that's a whole different story. Their rendition of This Christmas was the best track. It features the talent of Apollo, Cin, Annalee, and Eli. It's safe to say I'll be bumping this one until christmas and until Cin's debut tape releases on Sunday.

Watch: Straight Outta Jersey - @ARealCin

Cin, a name we've heard before on MostDope's debut project, POME.


She was featured there for a guest verse on Hollywood Terrace from her A1 labelmate. This time she took the spotlight in her first visual for Straight Outta Jersey. It's no doubt her voice and flow are unf*ckwittable. Perhaps not my favorite kind production but I can't lie. This trap ode to Jersey is indeed a banger. She's strolling and chilling on rooftops in the seven trey deuce and you can even see cameos from MostDope and Apollo too. This is the first track off her debut mixtape, Just Till I Make It which is slated to drop in a few weeks on December 27th. Until then enjoy the video for Straight Outta Jersey below.

Review: P.O.M.E. - MostDope (@A1_MostDope); A Niles P. Joint

Seemingly everyone and their mom raps nowadays, especially around my hometown of Neptune and neighboring Asbury Park.

Everybody has a SoundCloud of trap/drill soundalike rhymes with low production value and little ambition outside of that. So when I initially heard my little brother’s best friend was trying to emcee under the name MostDope, it didn't move me at all. Then I saw his first video and was quite impressed. Despite being around 19 he seemed like an old soul and wasn't trying to keep up with the joneses like the other young aspiring rappers in his age range. I kept an eye on his career and pounced on the opportunity to review his first mixtape P.O.M.E. (Product of my Environment).  My intuition was correct as the youngblood showed and proved on his first tape, which had big implications for the state of local hip hop. Everyone is now being put on notice as MostDope has made his presence known loud and clear.

Anytime you can open with a saxophone you generally have my attention. So The Way I Feel was a good way to start. Title is self explanatory as MostDope speaks about current events around the way and how he feels about them. The track sounds like something out of a Spike Lee movie. It segues into Still The Same which has a more modern sound but mad a small misstep in the use of autotune. He could’ve carried the chorus himself without it. Lyrical content is still dope through the verses. Life’s A Bitch naturally features a slowed down sample of AZ from the classic track of the same name, but has what may be the best beat on the album with Dilla-like organ work and subtle bells and chimes to make this a slow head nodding type track. MostDope is assisted by Maniac O and while he doesn’t outshine the host, he doesn't hurt the track either. Letter To Star brings an early 2000’s feel to a song about MostDope’s fallen friend and fellow artist Star aka Prize Johnson. It’s a beautiful tribute and while the suburban set may view the inclusion of an RIP track as cliché, it’s a somber look at the possible perils of life around the way. Thematically this provides a good transition into Think About It which is a song I wrote about in April. It still holds up as the crown jewel of the project. Conversely, Goin’ Back switches to a J. Cole type vibe and is more bouncy than anything else thus far. Not a bad song but pales in comparison to the last two, although it’s still in tune with the mixtape’s motif. Radio Ready featuring Joe College is a renamed track that is otherwise the same from when I spoke on it previously. It’s still a powerhouse collaboration between the best emcees from neighboring towns.

Better Days shows that MostDope is capable of crooning his own hooks without needing autotune or the like. Whoever put the keys on this track deserves accolades as they're the centerpiece of the track which also features a verse from Trust. I wasn’t sold on Hollywood Terrance when I first heard it as it sounds more trap-ish than anything, which doesn’t fit with the style of the album or even my personal tastes. However as a standalone track it grew on me. Guest spitter Cin really steals the show here with a versatile flow. Speaking of talented guests, singing ass wunderkind Apollo comes through on Make It Change which gives MostDope a nice change of pace R&B laced track. This one is ripe for a music video and could really blow up. My editor Ramz said that if you're going to freestyle over the Dead Presidents instrumental you have to come correct. MostDope does exactly that and rides the beat like it was his own. Possibly the best use of this beat (other than the original of course) I’ve ever heard.  We switch to a slow jam in Sweet Escape that sees the return of Apollo who shows shades of Frank Ocean on the track. MostDope shows he can slow down his flow for this type of song.   Whatever sample is used on the title track P.O.M.E. is the best on the entire mixtape. It makes for a sleepy vibe that still has potent lyrics. Now this would serve as the perfect closing track to a stellar debut.  Instead, it’s the penultimate song. Outro is the final installment, but he loses me here as every rap stereotype of modern rap I try to avoid listening to makes a showing here (autotune, no differentiation from chorus to verse, that snare roll, cliche lyrics). It doesn’t fit in with anything else on the mixtape and can’t hang with an excellent song right before this.

Even though it’s his first project, P.O.M.E. gives MostDope the title belt for Asbury Park’s best emcee. He stays within a believable lane and doesn’t attempt to do any tough guy posturing or too much bragging which can be common for newer rappers. While there are a few rookie mistakes, they’re forgivable since it’s his debut project and none of them are egregious to the point where he can’t grow out of them. Once he lets go of safety blankets such as autotune-like vocal effects and trendy yet disposable trap production he’ll rise above the masses of dirt weed trap rappers that are his peers (at least age-wise). He’s way too good for those things and doesn’t need them to shine. Other than that, MostDope put together a really good mixtape as far as production and guests. He’s best over classic samples but also has the ability to come off smooth on R&B flavors. Despite being only a college sophomore, MostDope is wise beyond his years and more soulful than most. The more he embraces that on future projects, the better off he’ll be. But for now P.O.M.E. is the best debut mixtape you could ask for from a new independent emcee. Being that it’s his first and he’s already this good, it’s almost scary to imagine how well this kid will grow into his role as King of the Park in coming years.

Rating: 4.1 out of 5