Cover Stories
22 Tampa Bay Rappers to Watch in 2022
January 13 - 19, 2022
Tampa Bay is a smorgasbord of incredibly gifted emcees and lyricists, and narrowing this list down was by no means an easy task. After hours of listening sessions, many video call discussions, and careful consideration, these are our picks for 22 Tampa rappers to know in 2022.
Bae Watch: New Amazon Series Draws Criticisms over Lack of Diversity on Local Cast
October 21 - 27, 2021
Amazon Prime has set its sights on Tampa Bay yet again for its latest show, ”Tampa Baes,” a reality TV series that follows a group of lesbian friends. It’s set to premiere sometime this fall. This show is one of the first of its kind and while some members of the LGBTQ+ community celebrated its arrival, others couldn’t help but notice that the majority of the cast appears to be white or light-skinned and mostly femmes—sparking controversy.
Pint Taken: It's Time to Bring More Black Brewers & Drinkers into the Craft Beer Community
September 16 - 22, 2021
A 2019 demographic benchmark completed by the Brewers Association found that less than 1% of U.S. breweries are Black-owned. This won’t shock most who understand that the issue is not just central to the craft beer industry, but many industries in the U.S. that have long functioned as majority white spaces. Beer is slightly different though. Why aren’t more Black people opening breweries, working in tap rooms, or simply enjoying craft beer?
Jackpot: Having Beaten The Odds, Sniper Gang Rapper Jackboy is Feelin' "Like a Million"
November 5–11, 2020
When Pompano Beach rapper Jackboy is asked what he will experiment with musically, he doesn't hesitate with his answer: “Everything. Everything that they think I can’t.”
It turns out this simple yet bold declaration embodies Jackboy’s determined nature and steadfast work ethic. Since the very beginning, the 23-year-old Sniper Gang artist has faced challenges posed by his environment and upbringing, the industry, and more. But in the last four years, he has managed to beat the odds to prosper while cultivating a sound uniquely his own.
Love Him More: Trippie Redd Stays Humble Amid Chart-topping Success & Heartache
February 27–March 4, 2020
Trippie Redd stands out among his rap contemporaries, if not for his versatile style, then for the number of Billboard 200 hits he has accumulated during his relatively short career. All of his projects, from the 2017 mixtape A Love Letter to You to 2019’s ALLTY4, have landed on the Billboard 200. This past December 7, ALLTY4 topped the chart, awarding the 20-year-old rapper the first number one of his career.
