The Frederick music scene continues to prove that consistency, collaboration, and community are just as important as raw talent. Over the past year, a group of artists has pushed beyond single releases, pairing strong visuals with live performances, touring, and behind-the-scenes work that keeps the culture moving forward.
Stitch Early – All Day
A fun visual that was inspired by the 90s classic movie “Good Burger.” Videographer Chris (known as waveacademy) surprisingly took on the rapper role for this video and performed over Stitch Early’s vocals. Stitch Early is a popular class act known for his deep lyrics and captivating stage presence, and his fans have eagerly anticipated new music after he focused on his brand and clothing line in 2023. Get Me the Beta is his most recent release that debuted on June 2, 2025 and features 9 tracks. His style blends introspective storytelling with energetic delivery, making his tracks resonate on both radio playlists and live stages but this time, Stitch turned the creativity on high, delivering humorous and well-executed pop culture references that depicted his tracks perfectly. Off the music video, Stitch (and Chris) is also a co-founder of One City, One Sound, a community-focused music festival and concert series in Frederick that highlights local talent across generations and helps bridge gaps in the city’s music scene.
[READ: Album Review: Stitch Early’s GET ME THE BETA – OUT40]
DaJohn – Motion
DaJohn and director, Corey Hallam, created a cinematic representation of MOTION. The song is an anthem about staying active in life, hustling with focus, and dismissing negativity. After the success of his earlier single “Ricochet,” DaJohn took his music on the road and performed at venues and events throughout the DMV area. His stage presence and energetic live sets helped solidify his reputation as a compelling performer, drawing crowds and expanding his reach beyond studio releases.
Cortez Leo ft. Billy Black & Black Messiah – Street Life
Cortez Leo is part of a vibrant local rap scene, collaborating with artists like Billy Black and Black Messiah to create gritty street anthems. While not all of his work appears on major charts yet, his videos have gained underground buzz for authenticity. His collaborations showcase his ability to weave raw energy with relatable narratives about urban life. Cortez Leo has stayed active in 2025 with a string of new releases that expand his sonic range, including the singles “Same Results” and “Bag Talk” — both capturing his gritty yet melodic approach to street-inspired hip-hop. His catalog also features the collaborative track “Euphoric (feat. Eddy Michaels & Mr. Hanky)”, released mid-2025 and available on major streaming platforms, showcasing his ability to blend hooks with energetic verses alongside other artists.
Jase Kevion – Turn Up
Jase Kevion has a track record of consistently releasing music and just as consistently providing visual content; he’s recognized locally for his storytelling and steady output. Alongside frequent collaborator Street Scott, the producer of the track “Turn Up,” and many others, Jase turns it up once again. Jase Kevion has continued a productive 2025 with multiple releases beyond Turn Up, including the single “How We Roll (DTT)” (feat. Pharaoh Ze’ & DRAG) released in December 2025, illustrating his range with features and fresh collaborations this year. Earlier in July 2025, Jase also contributed to “Big Pimpin’” and “Big Tymer” with Iodine P. (from Mack Baby Jesus: The Album), showing his presence on larger collective or feature-heavy projects.
This output reinforces his pace and creative energy, bridging solo singles with ensemble efforts while maintaining his signature visual and performance consistency.
Ahzay – treadmill
Kicking off what eventually became a year for the books, Ahzay delivered a visual for one of his standout tracks at the top of 2025. A cameo from his father made this not only an energetic visual, but also heartfelt. Ahzay has been recognized for returning to music with purpose and reconnecting with fans after a period of hiatus, highlighted in his 2023 album At Some Point You Mature. In addition to treadmill, he released two albums in 2025 — TAKE THE FIVE MINUTES (a 12-track collection that dropped in June) and You Do You, I Do Me (released December 2, 2025) — both of which feature standout tracks that highlight his growth and artistic range this year.Ahzay has been consistently booked throughout 2025, performing at major local and regional events including the 4th of July celebration, Juneteenth festivities, Alive @ Five concerts, the Black Frederick Festival, and additional shows that cement his presence as a live performer across the community and beyond.
Breezy Dre – Ain’t No
It’s been an active year for Breezy Dre and it cannot be discussed without mentioning this crisp visual. In multiple scenic locations, Breezy Dre is captured bringing his high energy in this video directed by Teasy Productions. His persistence, relatable storytelling, and energetic visuals have earned him recognition as an artist to watch in 2024 and beyond.
[READ: Artists to Watch 2024! – OUT40]
Demetrius – Can’t Explain It
With such a powerful opening set of bars, paired with a classic style visual filmed at “One Goods Co. Vintage”, it is no surprise that this video traveled far and wide throughout 2025. Demetrius is known as a hard-hitting hip-hop artist whose heartfelt lyrics and dynamic performances have built a loyal following. Demetrius delivered an especially memorable performance on I Can’t Explain It by handling the hook vocals — something fresh for him that showcased his melodic side in addition to his lyrical strength. His versatility in both singing and rapping on this track helped it stand out among his 2025 releases, earning buzz in local and online circles. Alongside his artistic contributions, he’s remained steady on the show production side, helping craft live events and concert experiences while simultaneously killing it with his own artistic output.
[The Pillars: Frederick’s Hip-Hop Comes Home – OUT40]