Massachusetts
5 Boston Artists up for 2016 XXL Freshman Class
Five artists hailing from their respective parts of Boston, Massachusetts may find themselves on this years’ XXL Freshman class cover. For those who’ve been oblivious these past eight years, the XXL Freshman cover recognizes seven rookies in the game who the staff feels are now rising to stardom. Cousin Stizz has certainly been ringing bells (no pun intended) with his summer mixtape, Suffolk County, and i am OTHER artist, Bia, who locked in a spot, serving as one of the headliners for Pusha T‘s Darkest Before Dawn tour.
Within the past year, Boston has been coming together to show they have just as much talent as the next city. Whether you sing, rap, dance, or act, these five are a living testament that you can make something out of yourself if you work hard and have the right people in your circle.
As the XXL staff starts deliberating on who will be inaugurated into the Freshman class, you can make your voice heard by voting on who gets the 10th spot on the list. Voting will take place over the next seven days – freshmen.xxlmag.com/10th-spot. Choose wisely.
Check out each artists profile on the next page.
Massachusetts
EK39 Releases “Watered Down / Beautiful Curse”
After teaming up with NickDolo last month for “Not Regular,” EK39 is back with a new visual that blends two new tracks—“Watered Down” and “Beautiful Curse.” Both records will be featured on his upcoming project. Produced by @realb_lamaj and brought to life by @lazyvisuals7’s direction, you can watch the official video above.
Audio
Kilynda Releases 2-Pack, “Deserved Better”
After releasing her “Heart Strings” visual in April, Kilynda returns to streaming platforms with an exciting new two-pack featuring her latest tracks, “Ever Since” and “Chains.”
After releasing her “Heart Strings” visual in April, Kilynda returns to streaming platforms with an exciting new two-pack featuring her latest tracks, “Ever Since” and “Chains.”
“I’ll never stop screaming THANK YOU to the people who continuously support me, even after I take long breaks. I spent a lot of time trying to make sure everything was perfect,” Kilynda wrote in an Instagram caption. “Come to find out, not everything needs to be perfect. You’ll be hearing more from me soon, but for now, here’s a two-pack you can enjoy for a while. All love.”
Kilynda consistently delivers, blending transparency and relatability with each release. Her music always seems to arrive just when we need it most. Stream the two-pack below and let her words resonate.
Culture
8 Zipp, Heffna Don and More Charged in Federal Sweep
Dominique Carpenter-Grad, known as 8 Zipp, and Trea Lankford, known as Heffna Don, are among ten individuals charged with drug conspiracy, linked to the alleged street gang H Block.
On Thursday, August 28, Boston-based rappers 8 Zipp and Heffna Don, along with 17 others, were arrested according to documents unsealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
Dominique Carpenter-Grady, known as 8 Zipp, and Trea Lankford, known as Heffna Don, are among ten individuals charged with drug conspiracy, linked to the alleged street gang H Block (Appendix A). Separately, nine members and associates of the Mission Hill Gang, including rapper Big Body Benz, born Tyrone Brimage, and (Appendix B) face charges related to financial fraud.
The arrests result from extensive, multi-year investigations into gang violence in Boston, which follow the February 2024 takedown of over 40 Heath Street Gang members and associates. That investigation led to the indictment of Boston-based rappers Trottie Y Gizzle, Trottie Moula, Ricky Mazarati, BDE Keko and others, with charges ranging from racketeering conspiracy to drug trafficking, firearms offenses, wire fraud, and various forms of financial fraud, including COVID-related schemes.
Six H Block members were arrested on Aug. 29, 2024, in connection with drug dealing in Boston and surrounding areas. During the arrests, additional drugs and four firearms were seized. Four other H Block members are already in state custody. Additionally, three H Block associates are charged with conspiring to smuggle illegal drugs into a Massachusetts prison, where there has been a significant increase in the smuggling of synthetic cannabinoids, also known as “K2,” and other dangerous substances.
Seperately, charges were filed against members and associates of the Mission Hill street gang for their roles in a mail theft and financial fraud scheme known as “card cracking.” According to court documents, this scheme involves the theft and laundering of money through bank accounts set up under various names controlled by the primary offenders. Six members and associates were arrested on Thursday, Aug. 29, and charged with financial crimes, while three others, already in custody, were also implicated.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts notes, “The charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (cocaine) provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, not less than three years of supervised release, up to life, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, PCP, and controlled substance analogues, i.e. K2) provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, not less than three years of supervised release, up to life, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charges of theft of government property provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to steal or possess stolen mail provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.”
APPENDIX A
- Trea Lankford, a/k/a “Heff,” a/k/a “Hefna Don,” a/k/a “Montana,” a/k/a “Tre Cain,” 33, of Boston;
- Dennis Wilson, a/k/a “Deuce,” a/k/a “Deep Jhonenson,” 36 of Boston;
- Avery Lewis, a/k/a “Wave,” 32 of Dorchester;
- Mark Linnehan,25, of West Roxbury;
- Eric Celestino,30, of Boston;
- Timothy Hearns, a/k/a “King Kill,” a/k/a “Tool Man,” a/k/a “Tooly,” 34;
- Dominique Carpenter-Grady, a/k/a “8-Zipp” a/k/a “Eighty,” a/k/a “Cindy Surin,” 35;
- Robert Heckstall, a/k/a “Ribbs,” a/k/a “Buck,” a/k/a “Buck Corleone,” 41, of Roxbury;
- Jason Bly, 44, of Quincy; and
- Jerry Gray, 28, of Dorchester.
APPENDIX B
- Imanol Rios-Franco, 24, of Brookline;
- Jairo Cabral-Santos, 22, of Boston;
- Brandon Baez, 22, of Framingham;
- Jiovanny Matos, 25, of Boston;
- Josman Romero Delgado, 22, of Boston;
- Jonathan Martinez, 25, of Roslindale;
- Anthony Worthen, 28, of Roslindale;
- Tyrone Brimage, 28, of Boston; and
- Glenroy Miller, 28, of Boston.
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