Whether Wiz Khalifa or Pittsburgh Slim, the Steel City got a foothold in the game in the Double-O-Seven. With that current attention comes a new class of talent that’s ready and waiting for the check-writers, tour stops and visionary A&Rs.

Twenty-two year-old Boaz just might be that dude. As part of The Govament, a longstanding Pittsburgh rap outfit, remembered by some for a misunderstanding with Jim Jones a few years back, Boaz seems to have a unique swagger. He can rhyme alongside Black Rob in one verse, and Sean Price in the next. From a city still deciding on whether it meets the midwest thump, the down south club or the east coast grit, Boaz carves a lane more aligned with the esteemed rappers of the ’90s than the later trend-watchers.

With his The Phenomenal mixtape making much noise, and a critical cosign from Urb magazine, Boaz, whose name means strength, might be well-armored for the fight to fit into a crowded marketplace. DXnext shows you why.


Repping: Pittsburgh, PA.

Sentence: Twelve years, having picked up his pen when he was only 10 to write his first rhyme.

Most Influential Person in Hip-Hop: Jay-Z,