On the QP: Feeling as though he’s been relegated to the on-deck circle for too long, rapper Devon “QP” Hubbard is hoping 2010 will be his breakout year. “Right now I’m nominated for the best freestyle in 2009 at Djbooth.net,” said Cleveland resident Hubbard, 25. “I have a couple of deals on the table. I signed a distribution deal with Fontana/Universal, so that’s kind of big, and I’m still working in the studio really hard on the album. I’m just honestly blessed, but actually there’s a lot of pressure. I’m focused on bringing the city up and bringing more talented artists out into the spotlight. I’m just hoping to be the gateway to that. So yes, it’s been a long time coming and I’m expecting it to be a very big year for me.” Expecting to sign with a major label soon, Hubbard hopes to have his debut effort later this year, including a possible showcase at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. The project, which he describes as possessing a hip-hop-meets- R&B style with a street vibe, includes lead single “Mz. Hood,” as well as the pop-ish “Lip Stick” and club track “Surfa Boy.” For more information, go to Qpborn2win.com.

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DOWNLOAD: http://usershare.net/element9/ktqdpnqlh1vn

About Best of the Booth:

Over the course of 2009, we at DJBooth.net have kept our ever-growing community of DJs, artists and listeners up to date on all the latest and greatest in hip-hop and R&B. Now, it’s time for you to step into our virtual polling booth and cast your votes for our second annual Best of the Booth awards!

Factoring in reader feedback and ratings as well as staff recommendations, we’ve nominated the front-running candidates in 20 different categories. From now till 12:00 PM (EST) on December 30, you’ll be able to vote on the urban artists, albums and songs that defined the year. Check in on January 6, 2010, to see who was selected as the Best of the Booth in 2009!

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DOWNLOAD: QP “Cleveland Invasion Freestyle”

I saw both of these guys perform last week at a packed venue in Chapel Hill. I got tipped about the show by my homie Corey from Beats & Bombs, who also tipped me off about this new Big Sean video and I decided to explore what the hype was about.

Both of these artists are names that I have seen growing in popularity over the past few months on the blog circuit, but I was certainly shocked by the crowd they pulled. Rather than a bunch of dudes in neon-colored Supras and skinny jeans, as I was expecting due to the blog hype, the venue was split about 80/20 female (beautiful females I might add) and the entire place had more energy than about 90% of the shows I attended during my time in New York.

The sound of these artists, combined with opening act 2am Club, who sounded like a pop-friendlier version of Gym Class Heroes, seems to signal another growing genre of hip-hop music that is blurring the lines between college rock and rap. It’s about as far away from your Rick Ross’s and Young Jeezy’s of the game as you can get, but I think there’s room at the table for everybody.

Big Sean “Rollin’/ Say You Will” (Official Video)

Click below for Mike Posner’s “Drug Dealer Girl” video

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