Soufside

Mixing the slick hardcore rap of Rick Ross with more of a traditional, David Banner-styled Southern sound, Bobby R. Colvin, Jr. became rapper/producer Soufside when he joined his high-school hip-hop crew, the Big Shots. After recording some demos with the group, the Columbus, Mississippi native realized he was more of a solo artist than a crew member, so he set off on his own, attending college in Atlanta before returning home. He made his solo debut in 2009 with the mixtape The Hood's Hope, and by the end of the year he signed with the 35*35 label, owned by former NBA star Clarence Weatherspoon. In 2012 he hit with the singles "Hello" and "Got Me Feeling," along with the EP Hard Work Pays Off. Two years later he dropped some high-profile collaborations with "I'm Just Coolin'" featuring Gorilla Zoe and "Everything Moves" featuring Bun B, both landing in 2014. ~ David Jeffries