Taking the Muzzle off Michigan

By: Leafy Loveboat

Michigan has played an integral part in the history of music. Motown Records, founded in Detroit, skyrocketed the city as a major player in the music scene with its hotbed of talent with legends the like of The Temptations, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder just to name a few. But it feels as if Michigan’s rap scene has sat in deafening silence over the past decade. Eminem and Big Sean are the few who’ve managed to become household names, and while 42 Dugg and Tee Grizzley are recent standouts in the past few years, nationwide success has not been easily seen for our brothers from the Great Lakes State. This new wave of Michigan artists refuses to be ignored and brings along their own flair to the rap formula that shows no signs of going stale. 

The first things you may notice when delving into the new Michigan rap scene is the thunderous bass lines, breakneck pace and fluttering pianos. Every song will have you nodding your head, scrunching your face and running songs back ad nauseam. The lyrical content is shrouded in a confrontational, druggy and braggadocios haze affectionately coined “shit-talking”. Humor is also added to the mix with an emphasis on punchlines and wordplay, even more so when lines about scamming, fraud and coochie are brought into the mix. Michigan’s rap scene is stacked like an NBA All-Star team right now with names like Rio Da Yung OG (Free Rio!), BabyTron, YN Jay and Babyface Ray, the Michigan rap scene is in competent hands. Tap in below and aid in the movement as we help take the Muzzle off the Mitten.