Hoodie Allen

Some don’t know what is more surprising, Hoodie Allen’s Ivy League education at the University of Pennsylvania or his sudden rise to stardom with after his first official EP, All American, on iTunes.

The hip-hop sensation first got a taste of the stardom after MTVU named him Best on Campus in 2009, and it has only taken off since. Allen has toured with big name artists such as The Cataracs, Chiddy Bang and Mike Posner.

His EP, All American was #1 the week of its release, and Allen has achieved all of this without being tied to a label.

Song Suggestion: “No Faith in Brooklyn”

Azealia Banks

Born and raised in Harlem, New York, rapper and lyricist Azealia Banks’ stardom is quickly rising. Her debut single “212” was placed on BBC Radio 1 as “Record of the Week” and several other blogs and news outlets.

Banks recently made her U.S. tour debut after a stellar performance at the most talked about concerts of the year, Cochella, which hosts the world’s greatest artist every year in Indio, California.

Banks revealed that she is currently working on her first full-length album, Broke with Expensive Taste, but until then she has released an EP entitled 1991, the year she was born.

Song Suggestion: “Bambi”

Bombs and Bottles

Frustrated with the music industry in 2009, Harrison Zafrin, a college student at Binghamton University formed Bombs and Bottles. With a sophisticated electric pop sound bordering on house/dubstep, Zafrin put all his feelings of frustration into creating music.

First performing at college campuses, Bombs and Bottles quickly gained popularity as his music spread to multiple states through word of mouth.

Now Zafrin’s band will be playing at New York’s Electric Zoo in September 2012, an event that will propel the band to official stardom.

Song Suggestion: “When the Lights Go Out”

Pac Div

The West Coast rap trio Pac Div, also known as Pacific Division, began their career in 2006 after the release of their first mixtape Sealed for Freshness: The Blend Tape.

After sealing the deal with Universal Motown Records, the trio continued to release three more mixtapes until finally they released an album entitled The DiV in November 2011.

The trio will begin touring again in September 2012. The Underdog Tour will be their first headlining tour, entitled “The Underdog Tour”  will be stopping in Washington, D.C. at Bohemian Caverns on Sept. 28.

Song Suggestion: “Shine feat. Marz Lovejoy”