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Show & Prove is our section in the magazine where we highlight which rappers are hot in hip-hop now. Many who have appeared in S&P have gone on to launch successful music careers. With the goal to bring our hand-picked selections online, here are excerpts of the stories from Lil Bibby, Chinx and Vic Mensa, as well as their entire mixtape discography. Our April/May issue featuring Eminem, Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre is available on newsstands March 11.

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Lil Bibby

For the past year the Chicago hip-hop scene has been bursting with rappers on the rise. The explosion first kicked off with Chief Keef, and now there's a whole bunch of new MCs trying to lead their city to rap greatness including Lil Durk, Lil Reese and 19-year-old Lil Bibby. The rap rookie first came on in 2012 with the release of two lyrically brutal records, "Kill Shit" and "My Hood," which he recorded with fellow Chicago upstart and friend Lil Herb. The tracks helped launch a buzz for Bibby who dropped his well-received debut mixtape, Free Crack, in November 2013.

With a knack for spitting street narratives, Bibby captivated rap fans with his raspy voice and straightforward lyrics. "[Songwriting] was always easy to me because I'm a good writer," he says. "I guess it came naturally—the stories and the raps—because it's like the same thing."—Eric Diep

Free Crack

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Chinx

New York City has been pretty dry when it comes to fresh rap talent for a minute now. But that's changing as of late thanks to the skills of Far Rockaway rapper Chinx, a buzzing member of French Montana's Coke Boys crew. Chinx's popularity has recently soared with the help of a hit song and remix plus a solid mixtape.—Dan Rys

Hurry Up and Die: Get Ya Casket On

From the Cage to the Stage (Hurry Up & Die 2)

Hurry Up & Die Vol. 3

Flight 2011

Cocaine Riot

Coke Boys 2

Coke Boys Run NY

Coke Boys 3

Cocaine Riot 2

Cocaine Riot 3

Coke Boys 4

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Vic Mensa

As the Chicago hip-hop scene thrives with an abundance of new talent, 20-year-old Vic Mensa has found his way to shine. With a standout verse on fellow Chi-Town artist Chance The Rapper's Acid Rap cut "Cocoa Butter Kisses," the release of an impressive debut mixtape, INNANETAPE, plus international tours, Mensa is setting himself up just right for a takeover.—Emmanuel Maduakolam

INNANETAPE

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