Making a top 10 list is never easy. When it comes to Vermont’s exploding hip-hop scene, that calculus is harder than ever. In 2024, we’ve been blessed with dozens of worthy album releases, and the bar for quality control is set professionally high. The only problem? The embarrassment of riches makes it difficult for artists to stand out — and for listeners to keep up.

Accurately summing up all this hustle and flow is an impossible task. In preparation for this doomed attempt, I have been picking the brains of local hip-hop artists, promoters, producers and fans for weeks. Beyond the fact that everyone feels there’s too much going on to keep track of, there is very little clear consensus on the best music of the year.

Certain names come up a lot, though. Established rappers Konflik, Charlie Mayne and D.FRENCH get love from every corner of the state. Breakout newbies such as Devon Dutchmaster, HAKIMXOXO, Topia and Flywlkr have made waves beyond their social circles, too. The Funky Diabetic is universally hailed as a hard worker with a great live set, and Real Ricky’s upcoming debut album is a highly anticipated release.

Vermont producers get a lot of respect, as well. In my conversations, Caleb Lodish’s obsessive perfectionism and huge musical range were often cited. Rico James has been an undeniable force, delivering a record label’s worth of output by himself this year. “I’ve given up on trying to get noticed,” he admitted, “and I’m just cranking out beats. It’s made it fun and satisfying again.”

While youthful energy has driven the narrative in 2024, the pillars of the scene remain in place. DJ, producer and promoter David Chief is still one of Burlington’s foremost tastemakers, and nearly everyone gives props to AfterLyfe Music founder and VT Union legend Nastee. Despite formally retiring as a group, the individual members of 99 Neighbors are at the forefront of the new wave. Conswank’s solo debut, Low Point Retreat, was one of 2023’s finest local albums, and maari’s All Is Fair in Love & War, a collaboration this year with Burlington producer Es-K, continues their unbroken winning streak.

Since the glory days of Lynguistic Civilians, veteran rapper and promoter Mister Burns has never stopped working. Last month alone, he brought Talib Kweli and the Pharcyde to Vermont. If he ever retires or jumps ship to another state, it will be a huge loss for 802 music fans.

On the question of who had the best album drop in 2024, however, things get messy fast. Much of this discord stems from the same debates the scene has had my entire life: what qualifies as “real” hip-hop, organic support versus label-money promotional clout, and the eternal complaint of Burlington’s outsize influence over the rest of the state. None of these issues is ever getting resolved, and I have grim news for my fellow old heads: If the kids like it, it’s dope, and that’s it.

There is also the question of what qualifies as “Vermont hip-hop” when so many of the small scene’s champions are currently living out of state — which is itself a marker for the strength of the scene. Windsor’s Jarv, Burlington’s rivan and Washington’s Robscure are all doing incredible work in New York City, as is video artist, concert promoter and cultural force Kelly Butts-Spirito, one of the main architects behind the breakout success of Burlington’s young scene after 2020.

That success has inspired a vital culture since then. The Genesis promotion team got its start doing DIY parties around Vermont State University in Castleton, but this year it’s had triumphant appearances at the Double E in Essex and, most recently, the newly revitalized ArtsRiot in Burlington. Alongside upstart stars such as Pleasant Boys, tyler serrani and Obi the Voicegod, Genesis has earned a reputation for must-see events.

Then there’s “Wave Cave Radio Show,” hosted by Flywlkr and Gingervitus, who recently recorded their 42nd episode on 105.9 FM the Radiator. Wide-open playlists, along with the hosts’ deep love for the scene, have made the show the single most essential outlet in the state right now. The duo has no plans to stop anytime soon. “It’s a lot of fun,” Flywlkr said, “and feels good to give back to the community that gave me a platform.”

It’s worth noting that Flywlkr dropped two projects that got heavy praise from his peers: the tripped-out Flying Car 2, followed by YW8?, a knockout LP that stands among the year’s best. His top pick for 2024? Topia’s self-produced KO RABWA.

That attitude is typical of the new generation of 802 hip-hop artists, and it’s not just modesty; it’s mutual respect. For his part, Topia said, “Honestly, I kinda shut out outside influences and locked in on my own art.” Even so, his top pick would be rivan’s self-titled reinvention of an EP. “It really impressed me because it seemed super authentic,” Topia said.

Another big story was the return of audio engineer and musical savant Zach Crawford, who reopened his SkyLab studio after a long hiatus and immediately set to work mixing and mastering incredible albums for artists around the country.

Two of them are on this list: D.FRENCH’s All Saints Day got a lot of enthusiastic nominations, and boom-bap believers everywhere were still bumping Verona, Mavstar’s monumental tribute to his mother. Expect to see and hear even more of Crawford’s work in 2025.

While this all adds up to an undeniably triumphant year, there’s still a lot of work to be done. Many artists I talked to lamented a lack of serious artist management or mentors to help them with the business side of the music industry. A universal suspicion persists that many Vermont venues are deliberately avoiding the genre. And there’s widespread concern that this big, inclusive scene may be backsliding into cliques and in-groups.

Such growing pains are inevitable. But it’s a safe bet that those same challenges will create new success stories by this time next year. For fans and listeners, we’re in a golden era of Vermont hip-hop, a multigenerational renaissance of diverse sounds and styles. Using the list above as a starting point, take some time over the holidays to get caught up. You won’t regret it.

Justin Boland’s Top 10 802 Hip-Hop Albums of 2024

Caleb Lodish, An Evening Into Sweet Despair

D.FRENCH, All Saints Day

Flywlkr, YW8?

Juicebox, Ollies in the Hallway

maari and Es-K, All Is Fair in Love & War

Mavstar, Verona

rivan, rivan

Robscure, WATER: Whirled Around the Endless Ripple

SINNN, Art N Depression

Topia, KO RABWA

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – On Monday, former and current Vermont legislators are going to call on Gov. Scott to declare a state of emergency regarding the state’s homeless population.

Three former and two current Vermont legislators say the homelessness crisis is overwhelming many communities, and causing unnecessary suffering, and even death.

Under the State of Emergency, the legislators ask the state to keep open and available resources for the homeless, and fund services for mental health and drug abuse.

Then, they ask the General Assembly to create legislation to develop long-term solutions.

The event will be held 10:30 Monday morning at the Delta Hotel by Marriott on Williston Rd in South Burlington.

Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.

TOWNSHEND — Police arrested a new suspect believed to be driving the car that struck a local man, who later died from his injuries. 

In a news release issued just after midnight Sunday, the Vermont State Police announced further investigation found Daniel Carr, 34, of Townshend, was operating the 2009 GMC Sierra that struck Shane Whittaker, 24, of Jamaica, on Route 30 in Townshend at about 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9. 

Carr was arrested for gross negligent operation with death resulting, leaving the scene of an accident with death resulting, two counts of reckless endangerment, providing false information to police, driving with a criminally suspended license, failure to comply with ignition interlock device restricted driver’s license, and violation of conditions of release. He was transported to the Westminster State Police Barracks for processing and later taken to Southern State Correctional Facility, where he is being held on $25,000 cash bail. He is expected to be arraigned in court Monday afternoon. 

Initially, Jamee Shields, 26, of West Townshend, was suspected of driving the vehicle that struck Whittaker and rolled over. She had been cited for gross negligent operation and reckless endangerment after police determined her child had been in the vehicle at the time of the incident. A court date was scheduled for January. 

Now, Shields is cited for providing false information to police. She is scheduled to be arraigned Monday afternoon. 

Earlier this month, Carr was arrested by Windham County Sheriff’s Office for a second driving under the influence offense, eluding law enforcement and violation of conditions of release. He and Shields are in a relationship. 

Previously, police said Shields showed signs of impairment and was subsequently arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. She was arrested and transported to the Westminster State Police Barracks for processing.

Whittaker had been transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, where he stayed in critical condition until he died last week. 

A GoFundMe set up to support his family after the tragedy says that Whittaker was driving on Route 30 with two of his best friends when slippery road conditions caused them to drive off the road.

“Unable to get the car back on the road, they were patiently waiting outside the car when a driver under the influence hit Shane with her truck and dragged him several feet while he was pinned underneath,” the page says. “The truck flipped and landed on top of him, causing several life-threatening injuries. Friends with him at the time witnessed this tragedy and will never be the same. Shane remained unresponsive and in a coma on life support, surrounded by loved ones … when he passed away.”

The GoFundMe describes Whittaker as a gentle, deep soul who brought peace to everyone he met.

“He had many friends with whom he had very tight bonds. He enjoyed dancing and creating music with his friends. He was on his way to a bright future as a translator for the deaf. As a CODA (child of deaf adults), he was fluent in sign language,” the page says. “As his father explained, CODAs are a part of a very tight, but underrecognized community that mixes their deaf culture and identity with the rest of the hearing world. Surrounded by members of this loving group, he learned to communicate with them at a very young age.”

Whittaker’s death, the page says, “has left an unimaginable void in the lives of his family, friends, and community. His parents, who poured their love into raising such a kind and talented young man, are now faced with the overwhelming burden of arranging a funeral.”