Yelawolf/Ritz/Trouble Andrew/DJ Varja

When we think of white rappers covered head to toe in tattoos, we think of Cleveland’s Machine Gun Kelly. The Southern equivalent is Yelawolf, a guy who raps about the simple things in life: Chevrolet cars; partying; and his Gadsden, Alabama hometown. In 2007, the 32-year old rapper signed with Columbia records and recorded his first album, Fearin’ and Loathin’ in Smalltown, U.S.A, but the album was never released (only the music video for the single “Kickin’” saw the light of day), and he was dropped from the label shortly after. When one door closes, another one opens; and a few years later, Yelawolf signed with Eminem’s Shady Records to release his first major album, 2011’s Radioactive. Yelawolf successfully rode a wave of momentum ever since and is currently working on his sophomore album Love Story, which is due sometime next year. He’s collaborated with Gucci Mane, Bun B, Big K.R.I.T., Wiz Khalifa, and Lil’ Jon, and fellow tattoo-covered white guy Travis Barker. Yelawolf’s recent work has diversified his style a bit with “Psycho White” (his collab EP with Barker) and delivered the “trap music” tune “Let Me Out.” This may not guarantee that he’ll go down in history as significant, but credit should be given to those who try doing things differently. (Sam Mendez)