A Michigan producer/emcee, 14KT hit the scene in 1994, rhyming and making beats with Binary Star affiliates Athletic Mic League. Fourteen years later, he dropped his first solo project: the well-received instrumental collection The Golden Hour, focusing solely on rap-free tracks influenced by the late great J Dilla (whom he calls his musical mentor). Nowalataz followed in 2009, leading to growing props and a spot in the Red Bull Big Tune beat battle. (He won, setting the stage for his popular 14KillaTape.) Arguably his best release to date, A Friendly Game of KT assembles 14 joints loaded with unpredictable drum programming, moody keyboards, obscure samples, and trippy sound effects. Perfect for fans of fellow Michigan beat maestros Dilla and Black Milk, it's something you can put on and listen to all the way through, whether you're driving, working, partying, or just chilling on the couch. Standouts are "Ain't Really That Funny (Janet Flip)," "Blessed," "Lessons from IX Lives," and "Where Else? (One for ATCQ)."