Rapper, beatmaker, and recording artist 1st Verse hails from a flourishing hip hop scene erupting in the most improbable place, the American Southwest in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Verse’s remarkable artistry has helped bring Tulsa’s hip hop culture to national prominence. He was recently featured in Rolling Stone and Grammy.com, and Verse helped develop the largest hip hop music festival in the state, the World Culture Music Festival from 2017-2019. There are echoes of records like Illmatic and Cuban Linx on Verse’s debut album, "TCTAS" (The City That Always Sleeps). Released in 2013 the album grew to define a generation of Tulsa artists, but Verse’s classic boom bap pedigree has also evolved in ways that are distinctly modern. Verse’s 2019 VSXO album is a singular sonic expression grounded in modern production and style. The record came with a $30 price tag- a price point that signaled Verse’s unyielding determination to build a community truly invested in his music- to will himself beyond his own limitations. This process has paid off. VSXO has sold remarkably well for a completely independent release. In 2020 Verse followed this VSXO with heady collaborations with noted producers Medisin (Tan Fan Art) and dj noname. (1st Name). These three projects reveal an artist at the height of his creative power poised to carry his city and his state into the next stage of national renown. - Damion Shade for Tulsa People Magazine linktr.ee/1stThingsVerse