Fully Vetted: Rakim Gave Maiya The Don His Co-Sign. Here's Why We Did, Too

Back in 1999, when Okayplayer first launched, we relied on shows like BET's Cita's World and MTV's Total Request Live to introduce us to the newest artists and hottest music. It was part of the routine: school or work, the commute home, rushing to catch the latest videos, then doing it all over again the next day. Online, we had Okayplayer — a home base for music discovery where readers came to find artists they might not have discovered otherwise and, just as importantly, understand why we believe in them.

A lot has changed since then. Streaming has transformed how we consume music, algorithms influence what we discover and artists can build careers on their own terms in ways that once seemed impossible. And this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s different. One thing hasn't changed, though, is that a co-sign should still mean something — and it does.

That's the idea behind "Fully Vetted."

For decades, artist discovery has been one of Okayplayer's cornerstones. "Fully Vetted" is an extension of that legacy, spotlighting emerging artists we believe are worth your time. Not because they're having a moment, but because they've captured our attention through their talent, their approach to the craft and the stories they're telling through their music. It's our way of introducing longtime readers to the next generation while giving younger fans a place to discover artists through a publication that's championed music and culture for nearly three decades.

Launching "Fully Vetted" during hip-hop’s birth month made the first artist we featured that much more important. Maiya The Don was an easy choice.

The Brooklyn rapper checks a lot of the boxes we've always looked for. She can rap — like, really rap. No "rapping is just a hobby" bars over here. But what impressed us even more was the way she thinks about hip-hop. She lights up talking about Rakim's co-sign because she understands what it represents. She'll tell you Beyoncé is her favorite rapper and explain why without missing a beat. She believes substance still matters, challenges the misogynoir that continues to shape conversations around women in hip-hop and carries herself with the kind of respect for the craft that extends beyond the booth.

Rakim already gave Maiya The Don his co-sign. "Fully Vetted" is ours. 

In the debut episode of "Fully Vetted," Maiya The Don reflects on hip-hop's legacy, earning the respect of rap pioneers and why the best artists aren't defined by the labels placed on them — they define themselves.