Respect My Region has been working with rappers and singers from Ellensburg, Yakima, and Spokane for the better half of the last decade. With so many different styles of hip-hop gaining national attention, we feel its time someone makes a concentrated effort to share more of the hip-hop coming out of eastern Washington. For this first writeup, I wanted to share a couple newish releases from three artists we’ve been working with over the last 4 years.
The first project is titled ‘Purple In Spokane’ and features T.S The Solution as the primary artist.
The 4-song EP doesn’t follow the mainstream sound we most often hear these days which is why this really stands out to me.
I go to certain artists to listen to ‘trap-rap’ and I go to certain artists for inspiration and positivity. When T.S releases music, nothing inspires me more than hearing his struggles and knowing he’s grinding through it just as hard as the next person.
The first song, ‘Visions’ starts off with T.S rapping and Ellensburg singer/rapper, O.Z. taking care of the chorus with some raspy vocals. Track 2 featured my favoite Ellensburg rapper, Cam B. before the last two tracks showcase T.S by himself. I personally enjoyed the first two tracks the most thanks to the little extra something that both features brought to the table.
‘Purple in Spokane’ – T.S The Solution
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The second musical wonder on this list was created by the homie O.Z. The 23 year old artist recently moved away from Ellensburg and released a video this last August for his hit song, ‘Wonder’.
Not only did O.Z. recently make the move from the east to Seattle but he also transitioned to the rapper-singer wave. Unlike most Drake clones, O.Z. can really croon and we expect big things from the young gun. The lyrics and vocals are really catchy and this track is something most of us can relate to. Shouts to June The Goon for the visual and stay tuned for future releases from O.Z.
O.Z – ‘Wonder’
T.A.Z – ‘Special’
T.A.Z. is the dopest rapper out of Yakima period. Hailing from a city more known for it’s crime rate, the only good thing to come out of the 509 in quite some time has been the food and hops. You think you know a bomb taco spot in Seattle? Try any truck in the Yaks!
T.A.Z. is a special kind of talent, combining creative energy and intellect with bars along with an ability to flex and turn up. In the visual shot by Javier Morin Jr, T.A.Z wanders around Seattle and reflects on life in ‘Special.’
We have extremely high hopes for this man and urge all readers to stop sleeping! Soon enough T.A.Z. could be on our top 10 in the PNW.
