Mark Battles - Before the Deal (2016)

A hard-edged, down-to-earth rapper and producer from Indianapolis, Indiana, Mark Battles started rhyming during the mid-2000s. Though he was inspired by the likes of LL Cool J, 2Pac, Eminem, and DMX, among several other artists, it didn't take him long for him to develop an identity of his own. He released his first mixtape, Good Morning America, in 2011. Within a few years, his discography swelled with mixtapes on his Fly America label, including the Saturday School series, Broken Silence (with King Los), and Black Einstein. In 2015, he issued Numb, his highest-profile release to that point. It hit Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart that October at number 39. ~ Andy Kellman.