Sorry for the delay, but we return with our 2012 DMV Freshman List. In the first part, we listed Da Big Fella, Ras Nebyu and Surreal. Our Freshman list will altogether consist of 12 DMV artists (of which we pick 10; the other 2 will be chosen through our poll). Check out the next 3 artists below.

Mellzy (Twitter: @Heymellzy)

Mellzy was born in Brooklyn, NY but has embraced the DMV while growing up in Fredericksburg, VA; you can still hear the New York roots along with the slang he has picked up from living in the area. I first heard Mellzy on ‘Money & Power’ with P-Wild & Dew Baby, and he held his own with the Slutty Boyz (whom are household names on the DMV music scene). This will be a big year for Mellzy with 3 projects set to drop in 2013; the first two are set to drop in March which are entitled Behind The Music & Vintage Dreams & Polo Pieces with his album dropping in September, titled Becoming Legendary. Mellzy has earned his spot on the list and we’re looking forward to his projects this year.

Hard Workin’ (Twitter:@HardWorkinEnt)

Hard Workin’ is a rap group out of NorthEast Washingtonm DC which consists of Hermo Gudda, Roc Solid, Choc, Krazo Da $How $Toppa & Dandki. The group has worked with every DC artist that has a name in the city from Fat Trel, Slutty Boyz, Shy Glizzy, Da Big Fella, Top Dolla Sweizy, Boobe, and Garvey The Chosen One. I first learned of the group on the set of a video that we shot over the summer for Da Big Fella titled ‘NE Champions‘, and this past October, they dropped the third volume of their Voice Of The Streets mixtape series, which features ‘No Problems’ with Fat Trel. 2013 looks very promising for the group from NE DC and they will continue their Hard Workin campaign toward a record deal.

Visto (Twitter:@ItsVisto)

Visto is a rapper from Virginia who founded his posse, the Hippie Life Krew, which includes Stef Is Dope, itz2EaZy, Pitch Black and Kaye Trill. Visto came on the DMV rap scene with an upbeat and vibrant party track called ‘One Big’ off his DJ Grady-hosted debut mixtape Burgundy Walls. Visto already has a huge fan base on Twitter with the ladies, who support him by coming out to his shows. The emcee is coming with another project this year entitled Headed To Cloudalia. Can his buzz with the ladies carry him over to the next level? We will see after the release of his next project.