The name "Sam Adams" most commonly has been associated with several American historical figures and a favored Boston beer. But the city of Boston is laying claim to yet another Sam Adams: an upstart Trinity College rapper who emerged from virtual obscurity when his primarily self-produced EP, "Boston's Boy", debuted atop iTunes' hip-hop digital albums chart.

Outpacing the sales of hip-hop superstars like Lil Wayne and DJ Khaled, the 22-year-old's set sold nearly 8,000 digital copies in its first week. Adams' single, "I Hate College"--a remix of the Asher Roth hit "I Love College", has tallied more than 1 million views on YouTube. He also counts more than 25,000 Facebook friends and close to 2,000 followers on Twitter.