Blackbear - Digital Druglord (2017)

A native of Los Angeles, California's Hollywood region, Blackbear -- born Matthew Musto -- was known as a fledgling, rock-leaning singer/songwriter until he co-wrote Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend," a number two hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2012. Around the same time, he reinvented himself as a rapper and more R&B-oriented singer through the self-released Sex, on which he was joined by fellow "Boyfriend" co-writer Mike Posner, along with James Blake and Maejor Ali. He also appeared on MGK's Lace Up. An EP, The Afterglow, followed in 2014. Another big stride was taken the next year with Deadroses, a self-released full-length that registered on Billboard's Uncharted listing of releases from upcoming artists. Deadroses featured the singles "IDFC" and "90210" featuring rapper G-Eazy. An EP of acoustic interpretations titled Dead followed soon after, before Musto issued his sophomore set, Help, in 2015. The EPs Drink Bleach and Cashmere Noose both arrived in 2016, as did "STFU," the debut single from Musto and Mike Posner's alternative hip-hop duo Mansionz. Two more Mansionz singles preceded the project's eponymous debut LP, released in March 2017. One month later, Blackbear issued his third full-length album, Digital Druglord. ~ Andy Kellman.