Bio:
Sacramento hip-hop artist 5th Ave may say he has “99 problems” like Jay-Z, but the difference, he raps, is that he has “infinite options” to outweigh them. This positivity is woven throughout his rhymes, in a fresh, laid back way that isn’t too squeaky-clean. The 24-year-old rapper is the leader of Neighborhood Watch, a collective of seven up-and-coming Sacramento artists. In his mix tape, Coolest Hoods in the City of Trees, he unites with some of these local artists and flows about bills, the consequences of taking pills, and his “dope” rapping skills. A beatnik sound and hip-hop nerd look make 5th Ave evocative of Lupe Fiasco, while his accent, closer to New York than Northern California, evokes Q-tip. His sexy voice and beats sound underground, but the smoothness and perfection of his tracks suggest that he should make be, as he says, “close to spectacular” in no time.
Vanessa Labi of Urb Magazine
'NO MORE HEROES' OUT NOW!!!
Liner Notes:
It may be true what they say – that being a big fish in Sacramento is
a very small pond situation – but 5th Ave, veteran capital city emcee,
takes it in stride the way he tends to most things. And considering
the accomplishments tucked under his belt, it isn't too hard to
understand what keeps him on a pretty easy tread (his rabid
word-murdering not withstanding). In a few scant years the intensely
self-motivated 5th parlayed considerable notoriety as a top-contender
for the nationally competitive city slam team into a music career
that's seen him co-found the all-star artist collective The
Neighborhood Watch (handling most of their initial road and business
duties by himself), rock shows more often than your dad takes out the
trash, AND share the stage with the likes of NaS, Pete Rock, Little Brother, Killah Priest of Wu-Tang, Dj Qbert, Planet Asia, 2 Live Crew, Pigeon John, and C-Rayz Walz. So, y'know, it may not be a major market or anything, but the young man
ain't exactly suffering from it, far as we can tell over here.
Let's pause. 'Cuz something's missing, right? I mean, where's the
bragging? Where's the boasting? Where's the "women wanna fuck me"
and "y'all can't see me" and "i'm takin' over"?
Where's the ignorant shit we like?
Sorry. He's probably busy grinding right now - possibly helping set
up another show, or working 40+ hours a week on some
grown-ass-man-who-pays-his-bills-on-time business. Or maybe helping
younger Sacramento artists develop their sound with some precious,
free studio time. Could be he's just pressed fresh copies of his
critically lauded, Sacramento showcase mixtape "The Coolest Hoods In
The City of Trees" and is out hand-to-handing them by his lonesome.
Hell, duke may even be out doing something truly unique in this game –
challenging himself with some good ol' fashion reading.
But whatever he's doing, he's doing it for the love of the craft. For
5th Ave, hip-hop is a discipline – something to be lived, manifested
in every step. It's something to help build, hence his
community-based approach, and not just be selfishly consumed.
So let's review: A ridiculous work ethic + quick-witted wordsmithery
+ community consciousness + experience assembling and micromanaging an
entire organization + a performance resume that stretches up and down
Northern California?
Now, we don't like recklessly throwing the phrase "one-man movement"
around in these parts…
…But I'll be damned if I have any idea how else to finish that sentence.
David Scott
The Coolest Hoods in The City of Trees Mixtape vol.1 is available now. The mixtape features Sacramento's finest: Dahlak, State Cap, Plush Lush, Random Abiladeze, Mainetain, Mahtie Bush, J-Freeze, Mr. E, Jo-El of L.O.G., and more. With original production by Adam Bomb, Jon Reyes, Nicatyne, Dj Oasis, Rockit Productions, Mahtie Bush and more. Disclaimer: 5th Ave does not endorse or promote the use of the word "crackkk" in reference to his first release "The Coolest Hoods." However, if one was to refer to this body of art as crack, piff, dope, marijuana, heroin or pcp he would feel honored.
"It's like taking a trip with a pack of art-loving, blunt-smoking, beatnik comedians." Josh Fernandez (SN & R) Dj Rock Bottom gives it ****1/2 stars" Whodat said, "This sh*t is crackkk!" There Goes The Neighborhood.
