Since his debut on commercial radio, DJs and hardcore hip hop fans have not stopped mentioning the name Boaz. For the past few years the 22 year-old streetwise emcee from the Larimer section of Pittsburgh, Pa, has maintained a reputation as one of the most outstanding talents to come out of Pittsburgh’s new generation of Hip-Hop artists.
Boaz began his city wide buzz with a song produced by veteran Hip-Hop producer and Pittsburgh native Black Czer. The song Czer produced for a then 19 year-old Boaz called “It’s Alright,” was entered on Pittsburgh's 106.7 WAMO’s Battle of the Beats local music contest and dominated the competition for a staggering 8 weeks straight.
Boaz has also been featured on Pittsburgh’s hottest mixtapes. These appearances include DJ Shef, Fast Eddie, the G.O.V. and his own solo release entitled “Intent to Deliver”. Boaz crew The Govament, aka the G.O.V. have arguably set the current Pittsburgh standard for industry quality mixtapes backed by real street credibility.
Each of Boaz numerous performances solidified his reputation for poetic streetwise lyrics, a flawless delivery and an unforgettable voice. In 2005, after hosting the G.O.V. mixtape: Hip-Hop Heroin, NYC's radio personality DJ Kay Slay personally invited the whole G.O.V. including Boaz to be guests on his show on New York’s Hot 97. Along with his appearance on Hot 97, Boaz has collaborated with major label artists including Bad Boy’s Black Rob, Warner Bros. Records Wiz Khalifa, D-Block’s Sheek Louch, Rocafella’s Peedy Crack, Boot Camp’s Sean Price, and Ghostface’s protégé Trife da God.
Now the stage is set for Boaz to be displayed to the world as a solo artist under Pittsburgh's Point Blank Productions.
The year 2007 placed Boaz in the lead position of the next wave of young Pittsburgh MC's. In just a few months, his mixtape "The Phenomenal" created a huge regional buzz that begun to reach outside of Pittsburgh. His music has been featured on top hip hop sites XXLmag.com, HipHopDx.com, and AllHipHop.com. He has been honored by URB magazine in their NEXT 1000 campaign. HipHopDx.com named Boaz a “DXNext” artist saying, “Whether Wiz Khalifa or Pittsburgh Slim, the Steel City got a foothold in the game in 2007. With that current attention comes a new class of talent that’s ready and waiting for the check writers, tour stops, and visionary A&R’s. With that current attention, 22 year old Boaz just might be that dude.”
In early 2008, Boaz released another mixtape “Monumental Music.” The critics around the country quickly caught on. AllHipHop.com honored Boaz by featuring him in their Breeding Ground section. YoRaps.com named him as a “Next Artist 2 Blow.” Rapmullet.com says, “As much as we wanted to give the new Boaz release a classic review, he can do better and that’s scary.” The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says Boaz “brings to mind the magic flow of Nas and is ready for stardom.” Jenesis Magazine put the young Pittsburgh star on the cover of their November 2007 issue. Boaz also appeared in the latest issue of Rap Fanatic magazine as one of their "top 5 mc's to check out on Myspace." XXL Magazine placed Boaz in their coveted Show and Prove section in the June 2008 issue. The Source Magazine honored Boaz in their Fat Tape section for one of the top songs in the country in their May 2008 issue.
Point Blank Productions will be releasing Boaz’s debut independent album in the spring of 2008! Some major names will be joining Boaz on his upcoming project! More to come...
