17 New Rap Artists I Can't Get Enough Of Right Now
In honor of 50 years of hip-hop, here are 17 new artists to keep your eye on this year. Now, this is a list of NEW artists (at least to me), so if you know any of these artists, great, you're tapped in; if not, then this is for sure the list for you.
The Freeminded Records / Giphy
1.Reggie
While he may not have a ton of music circulating, Reggie has made a lasting impression with the few songs that he has out. Some of my favorite songs by him are "Ain't Gone Stop Me," "Avalanche" feat. Smino, and even his feature on Smino's "Lee & Lovie." Even though I hate comparing artists, his voice sounds extremely similar to the great André 3000, and that's purely icing on the hip-hop cake. If you love good wordplay, amazing beat selection, and soulful vibes, Reggie's the guy to have on your radar right now.
2.Larry June
I can't lie, one artist who's constantly playing through my headphones is Uncle Larry. Larry June is a San Francisco native who raps about healthy living, growth, and various fruit juices — how can you hate that? He's been putting in work since the 2010s, but toward 2020 is when things started to escalate after he put out a multitude of tapes during the pandemic. Some of my favorite albums from him are Adjust to the Game, Early Bird, Cruise USA, Product of the Dope Game, and of course his latest project, Spaceships on the Blade. Although Larry has been consistently putting out music, he's an artist to keep on your radar, if he isn't on it already, as he continues to heat the streets.
3.BabyTron
BabyTron is one of Detroit's newest voices, and he's nothing short of a true MC and a generational talent. He has put out project after project filled with hilarious bars, zany beats, and ridiculous flows. After listening to Bin Reaper 2, MegaTron, and his "XXL Freshman Freestyle," I knew he was HIM. Songs like "Jerry Rice," "Green Lantern," "Pink Runtz," "RIP Virgil," "Jesse Owens," and a slew of others have made me a fan eager to see where he takes his career. If you aren't aware of BabyTron, this is your chance to get hip and tap into some of his projects, like Luka Troncic, Bin Reaper 2, MegaTron, or his newest albums, Bin Reaper 3: Old Testament and New Testament.
4.Zack Fox
Zack Fox isn't just a rapper, he's also a hilarious comedian and actor. You may have seen him in the first season of the hit show Abbott Elementary as Quinta's boyfriend Tariq. Funny enough, his character was very similar to who he is in real life: a fun-loving guy who's got some bars. The Atlanta native put out a tape in 2021, Shut the Fuck Up Talking to Me, where he has obscure raps with tons of video game references, funny bars, and great beat selection. Some of my favorite tracks from him are "Mind Your Business," "IHY2LN," "Get Off My Dick," "Holdin' On," and his feature on Bfb Da Packman's song "Bob and Weave." Zack transitioned from comedy to rap seamlessly and still manages to do both at a high level. He even has a new R&B tape out called Wood Tip that sounds incredible and is worth a listen. Zack is one hip-hop artist who needs to be on your watch list ASAP!
5.SoFaygo
SoFaygo hit the scene in 2019 when he released a bunch of singles, including his breakout song, "Knock Knock," and later dropped his tape After Me, which included his hit single "Off the Map." Since then he's landed an XXL Freshman spot, gotten nods from the likes of Don Toliver and Lil Tekka, and has been signed to Travis Scott's label, Cactus Jack Records. He's got great energy, and his debut album, Pink Heartz, has a multitude of good tracks, such as the lead single, "Hell Yeah" feat. Ken Carson, that'll surely turn you into a fan. SoFaygo garnered a lot of buzz last year, so it'll be interesting to see what he does moving forward this year.
6.Bfb Da Packman
Bfb Da Packman hit my rap radar in 2021 with his viral single "Honey Pack." His outta-pocket bars and self-deprecating lyrics make his music accessible and relatable. However, he's been consistently putting in work since 2019, putting out a couple of projects here and there. What made me a fan was his album Fat Niggas Need Love Too, with tracks like "Bob and Weave," "Aqua," and "Enilak" — all tracks with funny rhymes, bumping beats, and hilarious observations from his everyday life. While he's not rapping about anything groundbreaking, it's more his delivery that separates him from his contemporaries. If you're a fan of rappers who don't take themselves too seriously, Bfb Da Packman is a rapper to check for this year.
7.Remble
LA rapper Remble broke out in the early 2020s with his minimalist flows, witty one-liners, and over-enunciated rhymes on singles "Gordon Ramsey Freestyle," "Touchable," and "Rocc Climbing." He only has one tape out, It's Remble, but it won't be long before we see him with another record or hot single.
8.BlueBucksClan
The LA-based rap duo DJ and Jeezy offer chill, bouncy jams with raps straight from the streets. They have been at the forefront of the LA rap renaissance recently with breakout records Clan Way and Clan Way 2 and have continued to lead the way. BlueBucksClan made me a fan with tracks like "Smith-Schuster," "Mind Set (Intro)," and "Hate it Here" from their Clan Way 2 tape. It's refreshing to see a new rap duo gaining traction, and BlueBucksClan have a bright future ahead. Put them on your radar in 2023.
9.Seafood Sam
One thing I love in an artist is consistency. Seafood Sam is easily one of the most consistent rap artists out right now, putting out quality project after project. The Long Beach, California, native hit the scene in 2018 but gained traction in 2019 with his album Dior Velour. Tracks like "96 Moesha," "Roca Bye Baby," and "Bishop Elroy" turned me into an instant fan who's eager to see what the future holds for his career. Since dropping Dior Velour, he's put out five albums, and he hasn't shied away from what makes him stick out from other rap artists: a vintage beat selection, smooth flows, and slick rhymes.
10.Stove God Cooks
Stove God Cooks is a hip-hop artist from the Griselda camp who's been a terror since signing with the record label. He may not have many projects outside of his debut record, Reasonable Drought, but he has quite the feature run. His ability to hold his own on tracks with Westside Gunn and Benny the Butcher, like "Draymond," "Back 2x," and "Shootouts in Soho," instantly roped me in. Stove God needs to be on your radar if you're a fan of coke raps, dope wordplay, and grimy bars — you won't be disappointed.
11.Rome Streetz
Another Griselda member to look out for this year is Rome Streetz. Last year he put out one of my favorite albums with Kiss the Ring, but this dude's been putting out project after project since 2019. The tracks that stood out to me and made me a fan are "Heart on Froze," "Ugly Balenciaga's," and "In Too Deep." He fits in perfectly with the Griselda label, from his beat selection to his lyrics. For someone who appreciates good coke raps, Rome Streetz has brought a refreshing take on a rap style as old as time.
12.Armani Caesar
Yet another Griselda label member, first lady Armani Caesar doesn't shy away from any lyrical smoke. The "emshe" has no problem going toe to toe with any of her labelmates. She's been in the game for over a decade, putting out music as early as 2009. Most recently, she released The Liz 2, the sequel to her debut Griselda project, The Liz. This project surprised me and felt like a breath of fresh air that stands out from the conventional female rappers. With tracks like "Liz Claiborne Jr 1 & 2," "Diana," and "Mel Gibson," it's hard not to become a fan. Her seductive yet tough bars, vintage beat selection, and slowed-down flows make it easy to root for her and her rap career.
13.Boldy James
Boldy James is easily one of my favorite hip-hop artists to come out of the Griselda camp. He's got amazing wordplay, great beat selection, and immaculate storytelling. Not only that, but he's insanely consistent, with tons of tapes and a slew of dope features that suck you into his world as an eager passerby waiting to see what happens next in his stories. His gritty rhymes over cinematic beats make every song feel like a movie. He's done amazing work with producers like the Alchemist, putting out records like My First Chemistry Set, Bo Jackson, and The Price of Tea in China. This guy keeps his foot on the gas when it comes to putting out music. His recent offering Fair Exchange No Robbery puts him high on the list of rappers to check for in 2023. Standout singles that will make you an instant fan are "Surf and Turf," "No Yeast," "Photographic Memories," and "Designer Drugs." Keep an eye out for more from the Detroit MC, because it's sure to come.
14.LaRussell
There's nothing better than an artist who cares about the business side as much as the music side. The Bay Area rapper is a fully independent artist who goes as far as having concerts in the backyard of his childhood home. He's truly a man of the people, giving ownership to his fans by making them investors in his albums or songs, and it's hard not to be a fan. His album I Hate When Life's Going Great converted me into a listener, and with his ability to put out great music consistently, what's not to like? LaRussell is somebody to keep on your rap radar if he isn't on it already. He's a generational talent that you don't see every day.
15.Foggieraw
Funny enough, I became a fan of Foggieraw through the raps he posted on his Instagram reels, where he displayed smooth flows, dope beats, and immaculate wordplay. He also has a tape out called Fogtavious Vandross that is filled with some hidden gems. "She Said Ur Blessed" and "Drake and Josh" are two of my favorite tracks off of the project and show Foggie's talent in the best way. If you're looking for an artist who's refreshing and different from the norm, Foggieraw needs to be on your radar yesterday.
16.Tanna Leone
Recent PGLang signee Tanna Leone has an energy that's ethereal and emotional, but he works perfectly in that pocket. The melodic and moody instrumentals suck you in effortlessly. The LA-based rapper's debut album, Sleepy Soldier, is filled with tracks that push the boundaries of hip-hop in the greatest ways. One song in particular, "Picasso," turned me into a fan eager to see what's in store for him.
17.Central Cee
While he may already be a superstar in the UK, it was only right to put Central Cee on the list of new artists to check for this year. Last year the MC, from London's Shepherd's Bush district, had an amazing year with the smash hit "Doja" and a fire mixtape, No More Leaks, that silenced any notion that he couldn't cross over to the US. Won't be long before he's dubbed with an infamous Drake verse to make him a household name. His evocative style, jumpy drill sound, and wild lyrical delivery make for an instant star. Standout tracks like "One Up," "Bumpy Johnson," and "Chapters" are songs that show Central is far from a one-hit wonder and needs to be on your rap radar this year.
Black History Month is here! Join us from Feb. 1 to Feb. 28 (or all year long) and support our content celebrating the culture.
