Chicago rapper and producer Saba founded the Pivot Gang collective and released albums including CARE FOR ME and the acclaimed Few Good Things. He earned RIAA Gold certifications for his single Photosynthesis and a collaboration with J. Cole, and formed the Midwest super-group Ghetto Sage.
G Herbo helped invent and globalize Chicago drill music. Known for his 2024 hit Went Legit, he launched the Swervin Through Stress nonprofit and has collaborated with Juice WRLD and Wyclef Jean, blending soulful hip hop with menacing drill sounds.
Skaiwater (Tyler Brooks), from Nottingham, UK, is a rapper and producer celebrated for their genre-bending sound blending hip-hop, Jersey club, and rage. Rising to prominence with the TikTok hit "#miles" (feat. Lil Uzi Vert), their discography includes albums like "rave," "#gigi," "#mia," and "wonderful." They have collaborated with artists such as Lil Nas X and (G)I-DLE.
Virginia-born rapper smokedope2016 is a cloud rap visionary known for his dreamy, nostalgic sound and mysterious persona. His style blends contemporary hip-hop with frat rap influences. Popular songs include "In Da Party" and "Know Dat," and albums like "THE PEAK" and "2016" showcase his unique artistry. He has collaborated with artists such as Joeyy and Nokia Angel.
Born Miles McCollum in Mableton, Georgia, rapper Lil Yachty pioneered bubblegum trap. He broke out in 2016 with platinum singles like Minnesota and One Night, and earned a Grammy nomination for his feature on DRAM's Broccoli. He has released albums including Teenage Emotions, Lil Boat 2, and the psychedelic Let's Start Here.
Alternative hip-hop artist Lil Tracy, born Jazz Butler, fuses trap with emo and punk. Formerly of Thraxxhouse and GothBoiClique, he collaborated with Lil Peep on the Castles EPs and went viral with Like a Farmer. He has released projects like Life of a Popstar.
Chicago native Chance the Rapper is an independent hip-hop artist known for blending rap with gospel, jazz, and soul. He made history when his 2016 streaming-only mixtape Coloring Book won three Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album.
Atlanta native Young Thug is a distinctive, chart-topping rap artist known for defying genre and sexuality stereotypes. He rose to prominence with his 2014 debut Stoner and released hit albums like So Much Fun and Punk, alongside notable collaborations including Havana.
Originating from Detroit’s underground music scene in the early 1990s, the hardcore hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse consists of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Despite mainstream rejection, the group amassed a massive following of millions known as Juggalos.
Navraj Singh Goraya, known as Nav, is a Canadian rapper, singer, and producer. Originating from Toronto, he gained prominence in hip-hop and trap, co-producing Drake's "Back to Back" (2015) and achieving viral success with "Myself" (2016). Signed to XO Records, his albums "Bad Habits" and "Good Intentions" topped the Billboard 200. Notable hits include "Turks" and "Lemonade". He continues to release music, with "OMW2 Rexdale" (2025) and "Trimski" (2026).
Rapper TiaCorine, from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, blends multiple styles rooted in a Southern foundation. Known for her EPs 34Corine, Pussy, and I Can’t Wait, plus the hit single Freaky T, she toured with Key Glock and signed to Interscope in 2023.
Atlanta-origin rapper and singer Bktherula crafts genre-bending hip-hop and trap. Her unique "mantra music" blends ethereal melodies with sharp lyrics. Popular tracks include "Tweakin' Together" and "Left Right." She released albums like "LVL5 P2" (2024) and "Lucy" (2025), collaborating with artists such as YoungBoy Never Broke Again.
BabyChiefDoit, born Jayden Whitter Jones, is a drill rapper from South Side, Chicago, Illinois. Known for high energy and blending drill with melodic hooks, his popular songs include "Pancakes & Drugs," "Rollin'," and "Went West," which entered the Billboard Hot 100. He released albums "Animals Only" (2024) and "Zoo Life" (2025). BabyChiefDoit was a 2025 XXL Freshman and has collaborated with artists like Baby Kia.
Nine Vicious, an American rapper from Athens, Georgia, is known for his Hip Hop and Trap sound, blending catchy beats with relatable lyrics. A member of YSL Records, he gained recognition for albums like Tumblr Music and For Nothing, alongside popular songs such as "U Fancy ?" and "24Hrs". His dynamic performances and versatile musical style define his artistry.
Los Angeles rapper D. Savage (born Dylan McCord in Queens, New York) broke out with 2016 viral debut “30 Round Clip” and later hit with “I Know.” He released Trust No One (2019) and Mafia Musik (2023), which reached #16 on Billboard Heatseekers.
Lawrenceville, Georgia rapper/producer and one-third of Migos, known for triplet flows. Solo album Quavo Huncho (2018) hit No. 2 on Billboard; Rocket Power (2023) debuted Top 20. Collaborated with Drake, Bieber, Travis Scott, Lana Del Rey.
