Pittsburgh, PA is known as the Steel City, a nickname that evokes a cold industrial metropolis, which is not too far from the truth. But inside of the cold metal exterior beats a warm, growing hip hop scene which nurtures newcomer Boaz. Boaz, along with I.D. Lab’s studio mate Wiz Khalifa, have brought attention to their hometown with a flurry of mixtape appearances loaded with scalding hot verses over East Coast tinged beats. Boaz traffics in detailed street narratives whom realism would indicate an autobiographical strain in his rhymes.

The realism has earned Boaz well heeled comparisons to the illmatic one, Nas, but for this writer I would rather compare him to a post-Puffy Lox, a less nihilistic Prodigy, or a less self-congratulatory Young Jeezy. Boaz speaks from the perspective of someone suspended in the inner city rat race, documenting the little details that add up to a stunning vision of what it takes to survive in the Pittsburgh he inhabits. Boaz is to be commended for relaying his tales without resorting to self glorification. Instead Boaz place himself among those who are scrambling to get by. Even in an interview with Jenesis Magazine, Boaz said, “it’s about making the best out of a bad situation, I’ll always be a part of my community. I don’t think that there is anything that can separate you from your roots you know. Contrary to that, I have been separated from the bad things that I was surrounding myself with due to those circumstances.”

The name of his latest mixtape, “The Monumental” is more than apt. With appearances by Sean Price, Trife Da God, and Black Rob, the industry at large is now waking up to his gifts. Da Zombees produced “Holla at Me” contains one of the years first big quotes in “go get the dutches from the cigar shop fill it up with the diesel u hit ya heart stop.” When stacked against possibly one of the of the gulliest rappers ever in Sean Price, Boaz more than holds his own, he manages to outshine Price and prove he deserved to be considered a “Goodfellaz”. The collection proves that Boaz is ready for the prime time. “The Monumental” is the rare mixtape that maintains the focus of the artist throughout the album, balancing the freestyle with original material.

Boaz is set to release one more mixtape before releasing his first proper album in the late spring/early summer. The future looks bright for the steel spitting Pittsburghian, with the industry unable to pull new talent out the reliable avenues. Pittsburgh may or may not become the industries next hot spot, but Boaz is sure to shine regardless.

Boaz- “The Switch Up”:

Boaz- “Holla at Me”:

Links:
www.myspace.com/thegovament