When DMV representer Wale burst onto the scene in 2008 with his regional crossover hit, "Nike Boots," he put his area - DC, Maryland, and Virginia - on the map in a major way. In the following years, he continued his ascent by signing to Interscope and working with the likes of Pharrell and Lil Wayne, before finally ending up at Rick Ross's Maybach Music Group. Still, he's continued to put on for his hometown by creating The Board Administration - a boutique label that's home to DMV representers Black Cobain, Tiara Thomas, and Da Big Fella.

With such a diverse audience and pool of talent - ranging in style from street rapper Fat Trel to sexy vixen LoLa Munroe - the DMV is poised to have a bunch of artists break out in 2013. Fittingly, here we've decided to celebrate some of the DMV's greatest lesser-known talents and provide you with a breakdown of their notable songs and what they sound like. DMV, stand up! -- Written and compiled by Kimberly Brown.

Fat Trel
Hometown: Washington, DC
Twitter: @FATTREL
Notable song: Fat Trel & Chief Keef, “Russian Roulette”
Sounds like: Trel is truly an originator, and sounds like no other artist.
Why you need to know him: Fat Trel’s authenticity and confidence along with his hard-hitting lyrics has proven that he has the formula to take DC rap to another level.

Kingpen Slim
Hometown: Washington, DC
Twitter: @KingpenSlim
Notable song: “Goosebumps” ft. Emanny
Sounds like: A young Jay-Z.
Why you need to know him: Slim’s unafraid to go in another direction lyrically - this distinction highlights his versatility and his ability to not only appeal to ladies but still be interesting to the fellas.

Shy Glizzy
Hometown: Washington, DC
Twitter: @ShyGlizzy
Notable song: “Busters”
Sounds like: The pitch of his voice immediately puts you in the mind set of Lil Wayne.
Video: With a legion of fans screaming “Why isn't he signed yet?!” , Glizzy has earned respect with his real-talk imagery and some “I ain’t never scared” bravado to back it up.

Black Cobain
Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia
Twitter: @BlackCobain
Notable song: “Cheers”
Sounds like: Though he has argued this comparison constantly, the emcee is said to mirror the sound of his mentor Wale.
Why you need to know him: As the first official signee to Wale's The Board Administration, Black Cobain has a charisma with words which indicates that he raps from the dome.

LoLa Monroe
Hometown: Washington, DC
Twitter: @thee_LoLaMonroe
Notable song: “Gucci, Fendi” Ft. King Los
Sounds like: Has a bubble gum flow like Nicki Minaj after she went pop, but still has the potential to evolve into a sound of her own.
Why you need to know her: The vixen-turned-rapper has relied on much more than just her sexy Betty Boop image to hold up her spot in hip-hop.

Bullet Brak
Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland
Twitter: @BulletBrak
Notable song: “Stick up Kids” ft. Corey Black
Sounds like: Joell Ortiz.
Why you need to know him: Bullet’s relentless work ethic has led to collaborations with artists such as Chevy Woods of Taylor Gang, Triple Seis from Terror Squad as well as Mistah Fab. His first official solo project Briefcase Music is expected to come out this summer.

Chris Barz
Hometown: Washington, DC
Twitter: @ChrisBarz
Notable song: “Dreamers" ft. Jesse Boykins III
Sounds like: Has a flow and style similar to Lupe's.
Why you need to know him: This up-and-coming artist stays in his own lane by not going for harsh hip-hop, which gives him crossover potential.

Caddy Da Don
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Twitter: @CaddyDaDon
Notable song: “Ego”
Sounds like: Rick Ross-esque raps about money, women, and cars.
Why you need to know him: The Baltimore native is well-respected for staying true to what he feel, and continues to represent who he is as an artist through his music.

Uptown XO
Hometown: Washington, DC
Twitter: @UptownXO
Notable song: “Occupy DC”
Sounds like: Nas at his most introspective.
Why you need to know him: In his video for “Occupy DC”, XO uses textbooks as replicas for guns - he's not only creative lyrically, but his videos reveal a strong message as well.

Harmony Muzik
Hometown: Stafford, Virginia
Twitter: @HarmonyMuzik
Notable song: “Hiyaku” Ft. Tabi Bonney
Sounds like: Has a distinct Foxy Brown flow.
Why you need to know her: Harmony has become a veteran at the annual SXSW event and is a regular performer at venues throughout the DMV.

Lyriciss
Hometown: Prince George County, Maryland
Twitter: @Lyriciss
Notable song: “The Balance”
Sounds like: Mos Def.
Why you need to know him: Though he does not proclaim to be a conscious rapper, his name rings true to his talent. “I’m the brokest rapper you know, but I’m rich in the soul.”

Hunit Stackz
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Twitter: @HunitStackz
Notable song: "Red Yellow"
Sounds like: A lost member of G-Unit.
Why you need to know him: A recent track titled “Kid N Play," featuring fellow Baltimore artist Backland has led to industry buzz for Hunit Stackz as well as a shout out from Christopher "Kid" Reid who showed the track some love on Twitter.

Phil Ade
Hometown: Silver Spring, Maryland
Twitter: @PhilAde_RF
Notable song: “Always There”
Sounds like: Somewhere between A Tribe Called Quest and Common.
Why you need to know him: Ade spits from a calmer space, leaving more room for substance via thought-provoking tracks.

RAtheMC
Hometown: Washington, DC
Twitter: @RAtheMC
Notable song: “Coming to the Stage”
Sounds like: A cross between Lauryn Hill and MC Lyte.
Why you need to know her: RA has been in the game for over a decade, achieving feats many artists dream about. Yet, the multi-talented artists wears a crown of humility as she awaits her time.

Backland
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Twitter: @BlocBoyBACKLAND
Notable song: "10 Weed Commandments"
Sounds like: Biggie Smalls, lyrically, and not just because of his size.
Why you need to know him: Having experienced extreme highs (a 7-week championship run on 106 & Park's Freestyle Friday) and lows (a near fatal hit & run car accient) throughout his career in hip-hop, it’s evidient that fate is on Backland's side.

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