Nique

I’m not an egotistical writer. I’m a man of integrity that doesn’t hand out good ratings simply because an artist shouts out DJBooth on a song. Ok…so maybe I would, but that doesn’t mean I’m co-signing NIQUE’s new track Show You because he threw us some love (although it’s much appreciated). No, it’s the force behind the Las Vegas emcee’s talent that has the capacity to leave listeners’ ears gasping for breath with his unique style and driving bars. With a heavily and creatively-driven beat contributed by the Trakkblazers, NIQUE showcases his ability to show us how to, well, do it, with lines like “I don’t do it for the chicks/ I don’t need them on my ass/ yeah I got it down/ do you even gotta ask/ but did you even get it or did it slip past?” Show You is not currently part of any official project from NIQUE. Stay locked to the DJBooth for more songs from this talented Las Vegas up-and-comer. - Sigurd (DJBooth.net)

The West Coast come up continues with Long Beach emcee Nique, a smoothly flowing rapper who know calls Las Vegas home. On his new mixtape "Framed & Unfocused", presented by Flo Deep Music Group, Nique goes hard enough to ensure that everyone from here on out will remember his name. So if you're vision's a little blurry on this up-and-comer, I definitely recommend getting your hip-hop eyesight corrected by checking out the mixtape. - Nathan Slavik (www.refinedhype.com)

Nevada gets some shine this afternoon as Nique officially releases his new mixtape entitled Framed And Unfocused. You may also remember Max G.'s feature on Nique's "Good Life" f/ Jennifer Cruz a couple of weeks ago, which also earned a spot in my rotation. Since then I was intrigued to hear more and Nique really delivered with a 20 track mixtape. The powerful cover, illustrated by Richie Pope, evokes the music on the tape as Nique rhymes with a mix of energy and reflective emotion over a versatile selection of production. (BTW, what a week for covers! Scroll/appreciate!) You'll be able to make a Drake comparison after hearing a few tracks from Nique as they have similar voices, yet Nique also rhymes intelligently with lyrics that are thought-provoking. I especially liked "Champ" - a motivating uptempo track - and in contrast the laid-back "Stars" f/ Slik D. But a standout track that caught my eye is one I extracted for individual download above - "Cut My Check" featuring fellow Nevada MC, Marion Write. They go in at break-neck pace over another addicting Bangladesh beat. Overall, you'll be impressed with a mix of one-liners and storytelling lyrics throughout Framed And Unfocused. Download it above! - Sgt. Tibs (www.gowherehiphop.com)