The summer gray that's been hanging over our city is finally starting to dissipate. I welcome the sun and all the new artists to our scene.

Craze‘8, Double G and the Abom Kid have been some of this year's busiest newcomers. Craze‘8 is part of the new class of do-it-all hip-hop artists. He MC's, produces and designs his own graphics. He stays busy doing shows around the 253 and he's about to step out to California to work with the band formerly known as Sublime. This should be a good move, leading to bigger things than just Tacoma for Craze‘8. Be sure to find him on Facebook as he is constantly uploading new tracks for his fans to listen to.

The most exciting new group to emerge this year out of Tacoma has been the Academy. The crew quickly came onto the scene thanks to the veteran status of some of the members. $krilla met Eee-tree, Ghetto, Doe-Lo Rossi, Mistah Mac, Charlotte Smoot, Criss, Eli, Chad Larson and Jordan Pike at the audio-engineering program at Bates Technical College, and the rest is quickly becoming history. Some of the members MC, some produce, some sing, some play instruments and some just work the boards. The Academy is totally self-contained and are in their own zone. The crew stole the show this summer at Tacoma Hempfest where they had the crowd near the stage dancing. Catch them on reverbnation.com and Facebook. On Aug. 11 at El Perron see them in person for $krilla's birthday party. The Academy's sound could be likened to a more mature, polished Darxiide, with access to better equipment. They are like a more light-hearted Blockrepp. The group's use of singers and live instruments is what separates them from the pack.

Sonny Bonoho dropped a hilarious new video, "Grand Daaam" featuring Bizarre of D-12. It's a good look into Sonny's funny sense of humor. YouTube it along with Sonny's other work. He's a nationally known artist who is about to drop a new album in Aug.

Next week we'll get into the greatest hits record Awall's aka 2Piece dropped a few weeks ago.