Appreciate unflinchingly honest hip-hop music? Appreciate @FATTREL.

In 1991, the Geto Boys taught a precocious 13 year-old about the Fifth Ward of Houston.
In 1993, Snoop Doggy Dogg taught me all about the LBC.
In 1994, Nas, Biggie and Outkast taught me about Queensbridge, Brooklyn and Southwest Atlanta, respectively.
In 1999, Eminem introduced himself to me and taught me all about Eight Mile Road, Detroit.
In 2011, Fat Trel tells me a story I know from growing up in far Northeast Washington, DC, and makes life come full circle.

If by valuing lyricism over inherently catchy production, you’re going to force me to listen to your hip-hop, you’d better make it worth my time. Bubblegum tales of ultimately worthless memories aren’t going to cut it. I became a believer in the power of rap music when Bushwick Bill told me a story about growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, getting his hands bloodied from punching concrete streets while tripping on angel dust. It’s set a standard that a chosen few have followed, those who have becoming not just legends to me, but the most beloved members of hip hop’s legacy. In following in this standard, Washington, DC’s Fat Trel is now on that list. If you missed his performance at U Street Music Hall on Sunday evening, you missed another chapter in a growing book of moments requiring full attention and complete appreciation.

Download 2010’s No Secrets, the best hip-hop mixtape ever released in DC hip hop history. Prepare for Nightmare on E Street, expected release, Valentine’s Day 2012.

Salute.