Vigalantee

With his superfast flow, gritty topics and dingy piano backdrops, Vigalantee represents Kansas City rap’s hardcore, streetwise sound — at least on some of the tracks on his The $5 Likk EP. At other times, though, he makes a move for the dance floor with club bangers, or plays to the ladies by tag-teaming with R&B crooner Shadó. Regardless of what format he chooses, Vigalantee never forgets the hooks, whether they’re savage shout-alongs or smooth vocal melodies. Equally adept at hugs and thugs, Vigalantee also draws upon his spoken-word background to kick some serious science.