Pries/Neffy/Thwag Lord/Andre Fabre

Tapping into the college-aged angst of his own generation, Pries has been garnering a solid reputation as he tours the country. His mixtapes — dynamic and frequent affairs — showcase a young talent hellbent on showing the world what he’s got to say. His latest outing, Honey Jack, begins with the telltale sound of drinks being poured. It’s a not-terribly-subtle nod to Snoop’s “Gin and Juice,” but it serves as an entryway motif for the rest of the mix. His lyrics sometimes run around well-trodden territory in the youthful hip-hop game, touching on the partying life while waxing wise on contemporary issues like school shootings and the like. Nonetheless, Pries boasts a dedicated flow. As long as he keeps the music coming and the live shows buzzing, he’ll be a killer listen now and then — if not an outright name on the broader hip-hop circuit. (Eric Sandy)