Atlanta is not only the capital of Georgia - it's also the centre for weirdness in contemporary hip-hop. Everyone from Outkast to 2 Chainz, Soulja Boy to B.o.B. comes from the city, renowned for developing a sound that is informed by the weed haze that hangs over its most derelict areas. Rich Homie Quan is one of the oddballs that has emerged from the scene. Strange but catchy hooks and exaggerated use of autotune may not be anything new in a post-808s And Heartbreak hip-hop world, but his impressive ability to ride a beat sets him apart - as does his relationship with the scene's most important figures such as Birdman and Young Thug (featured elsewhere on this list). The trio's collaboration, Rich Gang: Tha Tour Vol. 1, is one of the most innovative mixtapes in recent years. Quan's odd but grounded style provides the perfect platform for the avant-garde off-the-wall futuristic experimentation of Young Thug. Imagine Quan as being the crazy guy strapped down in an electric chair while the even more unhinged Young Thug maniacally bounces around the room having escaped from his bonds and you have some idea about how the collaborative record plays out. Let's hope for more from these two.
