https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnXUuezlVwQ One of the top new artists out of Germany is Casper, a German-American rapper. Known for his raspy voice, Casper (real name: Benjamin Griffey) grew up in a small rural town in the southern United States and draws upon his life here within his lyrics, rapping about subjects such as hardships in life, past drug addiction, and failed relationships. This itself pulls Casper away from your typical rap subjects such as random hook-ups and parties, and justly resulted in his most recent effort (2013's "Hinterland") debuting at number one. Casper's voice is backed by real instruments - guitars, bass, drums, piano, horns - unlike most rappers who use beats simply created on a computer by whatever program the producer has to play around on. Without the vocals, Casper's music sounds like the indie/alternative rock you would head on today's radio, drawing influences from artists such as Tom Waits, Animal Collective, and the Editors (whose singer is actually featured in the song "Lux Lisbon"). His songs are just as much rock as they are rap with no pulse-pumping beats, no songs you can easily dance to and nothing you can really make a remix for. Although English is Casper's first language, his songs tell stories in German that are relatable and will resonate within for a while after listening - his two Gold records more than prove this. Recommended if you like: Atmosphere, Macklemore, Tom Waits
Shawn-Ray Dalinsky (27) is a communications graduate student at SUNY Brockport. He is 2012 graduate of SUNY Oneonta where he dual majored in Mass Communication and Music Industry. He has an unhealthy addiction to music.