Jackie Chain – Who Da Mane, Mixtape.

Alabama hip-hop hit the ground running this year. The main success story is Yelawolf, who landed an Interscope deal and has everyone awaiting his next move. But there’s another Alabama rapper with a major label deal and he’s even more of a black sheep than Yela: Jackie Chain, a towering half white, half Korean with a golden brown mane of hair that hangs down to his collar. Did I mention his name is Jackie Chain?

As far as subject matter goes, his new tape falls in the Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa category (call it Lifestyle Rap) with a touch of Rawse-esque (Rawsian?) excess. But Bama production outfit Block Beattaz takes Who Da Mane to another level with futuristic Southern bangers that beg to be played loud. Hopefully his major label debut I ain’t Slept in Weeks will be bigger, louder, and just as weird.