For a New York native, there are few honors as high as being handpicked by Nas. But Harlem’s Dave East has grown into his role as heir apparent after signing to Esco’s Mass Appeal Records. East uses vivid storytelling to sketch the life of a man navigating the space between the hood and stardom, like on his 2016 hit, “Keisha,” and 2019’s “Seventeen.” He doesn’t shy away from his proximity to greatness, though: 2015’s Hate Me Now pays tribute to Nas’ defiant 1999 cut of the same name, and “The Hated” from 2017 finds the MC running with his mentor over a classic NYC beat. He stands firm, unwilling to cower to the lyrical legend from Queensbridge. And though groomed in the style of his rap adviser, East is a bona fide star in his own right, proving he can make big plays alongside greats in New York’s rap arena.