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After a year dominated by one major event—Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar—it’s easy to forget that the sounds pushing rap music forward often come from the fringes. That’s why our annual Rappers to Watch list is such a highlight: it lets us spotlight emerging rappers who, while still developing their sound, are already pushing the genre in bold directions.
When crafting this list, it was crucial that we highlight figures from some of the most vibrant corners of hip-hop, whether it’s the DMV’s crank scene, the noisy sounds of the underground, the wild energy of the new Atlanta wave, or the fresh, teenaged faces of Chicago drill’s next generation. All of these movements are represented here.
It’s a new year, and a new crop of rappers to watch. Here are 25 rappers you need to check out in 2025.
For fans of: Young Nudy, Lil B, Gucci Mane
Listen to these songs first: “Laced Max,“ “Tony Dim,” “LUIGI”
Lazer Dim 700 might be 2025’s most thrilling prospect. He’s unpredictable, his songs sounding so chaotic and free-flowing that you never know what you’re going to hear from him. Just listen to “Medicaid,” off of his debut studio album Keepin It Cloudy, which sounds like it could score the next Scream movie. Or, check out “LUIGI” two songs later, which sounds like what you’d listen to while taking an acid trip in a ‘90s-themed mall arcade.
The only throughline in Lazer Dim’s music is that he thrives on harnessing chaos, baking it into his bars, and then bending those bars backwards over head-knoocking beats. Ye has already been seen playing his music in parties, but gaining recognition for his skills was never Lazer’s goal. “I just like to rap, I just like to have fun,” he told Complex at Rolling Loud Miami in December. —Jordan Rose
For fans of: Katie Got Bandz, G Herbo, Flo Milli
Listen to these songs first: “Yea Yea,” “4 Deep,” “How The Game Go”
Katie Got Bandz walked so STAR BANDZ could run. At just 16 years old, STAR BANDZ made waves last year with her breakout track “yea yea,” which put a drill twist on the same sample used in Jay-Z’s “Feelin’ It” (Ahmad Jamal’s “Pastures”). On the track, she raps, “Pulled up on your block and skrrt off, a hit and run. Told ’em I don’t play, I really rap, this ain’t for fun.” It’s a bold reminder that, despite her age and the fact that she doesn’t curse in her lyrics, you shouldn’t take her lightly.
STAR BANDZ released her debut project, Estrella, in November of last year. The album features appearances from notable spitters like Veeze and fellow teenagers Luh Tyler and BigChiefDoIt (more on him later). Throughout Estrella, there’s a palpable sense of readiness, with each track feeling like an adrenaline sprint or the sparks of steel clashing. —Anthony Malone
If you like: Starlito, CEO Trayle, Q Da Fool
What to listen to first: “Play This At My Funeral,” “Pain & Possibilities,” and “Kryptonite”
The DMV’s crank scene—a spiritual relative of Chicago drill—is known for its frantic, often bracing pace. And then there’s Nino Paid, probably the most vulnerable and thoughtful rapper to come out of the scene. At just 22, Nino is unusually mature, spending much of his music reflecting on childhood trauma and hardships—from growing up in foster care to losing close friends—in a raw, heart-wrenching way that sets him apart from many of his peers.
His debut album, Can’t Go Bacc, was one of last year’s gems. In songs like “When I Was Young,” he sounds like a modern-day Scarface, rapping lines like: “I been in therapy since I was nine, ‘cause that’s when I first wished I was dead.”
It’s not all just pain rap. He’s shown signs of versatility. On his 2024 single “Kryptonite,” he moves beyond street-centric themes, focusing on relationships. Over a hypnotic Jersey club flip of SZA’s “Snooze,” he raps: “Why would I ever try to go through your phone? I’m smarter than that, I ain’t losing my appetite.” —Nia Coats
For fans of: JID, Doja Cat, Noname
Listen to these songs first: “Sinner,” “Magnolia Rain,” “Rolling Stone”
If you spend enough time with Samara Cyn’s music, you won’t be surprised to learn that she was into spoken word poetry when she was little. Her musical chops are impressive—she can sing an addictive chorus just as easily as she can spit a swaggering, rapid-fire verse—but sitting at the core of every Samara Cyn song is her mastery of lyricism. The 26-year-old rapper has a way with words, effortlessly writing thoughtful songs about heartbreak (“Entry #149”) and finding the most poetic ways possible to pop her shit about being the coolest person in the room (“Sinner”). If you’re in search of a new rapper who can deliver bars within well-rounded songs that have genuine hit potential, you’ve found her. —Eric Skelton
For fans of: Lil Tecca, Tana, Trippie Redd
Listen to these first: “Pizza Time,” “Sayso,” “I Rot, I Rot”
Che’s creative evolution is impossible to ignore. With collaborations in the underground scene (like the 4ersona era) and savvy TikTok promotional campaigns, he’s positioned himself for a steady ascent over the past few years. Che’s visual and sonic identity is built around key motifs, like bunnies and insects, along with the familiar vampiric bloodlust that’s all the rage these days. A bit of GUMMO here, a dash of Donnie Darko there, with a splash of Five Nights at Freddy’s and you get a calculated, impressive blend of digestibly disturbed imagery and a personal self-discovery arc traceable through his digital footprint.
Since 2023, Che has ramped up his consistency with actual releases, starting with his debut closed captions and the intense follow-up EP Crueger. His latest full-length project, Sayso Says, is his richest, most cutting-edge album yet, propelled by the claustrophobic, glitchy production from his main collaborator natecxo. —Allison Battinelli
For fans of: Mac Miller, Earl Sweatshirt, Amy Winehouse
Listen to these songs first: “I Just Can’t Be Alone” Feat. Billy Lemos, “Stupid,” “Stacy’s Chips”
“My music is kind of sexy and scary and honest,” Lexa Gates recently told Complex. “It’s colorful, but at the same time, it’s supposed to have this horror movie vibe.” That’s what you get when you mix Lexa’s signature dry wit and brutally honest songwriting with soulful beats and melodies. The 23-year-old Queens artist is just as comfortable rapping ominous bars about her exes with a deadpan flow as she is singing a silky hook, a wide-ranging skillset that has drawn comparisons to everyone from Mac Miller to Amy Winehouse. But Lexa’s biggest strength comes from an ability to pour her own unique worldview into her music, treating each song like an off-the-cuff diary entry. She’s flattered by the fans who keep comparing her to legendary artists, but before long, we’re confident she’ll achieve her goal: “I’m going to keep working until they’re saying that about me to someone else. I think I’m in my own lane.” —Eric Skelton
For fans of: Destroy Lonely, Lil Uzi Vert, Bktherula
Listen to these first: “Chain Swangin,” “Windows Up,” “Want”
Molly Santana has aura, straight up, and a sound she’s been crafting over the years. The Inland Empire, California native is getting her flowers for both her rapping style and her aesthetics.
Citing influences ranging from Chief Keef—whose Glo Gang logo she has tattooed on her arm—to her namesakes, Santanas Fredo and Juelz, Molly’s commitment to learning the secret formula to stardom has shaped her skill set for a minute. She’s transcribed Lil Uzi Vert lyrics for translation into Japanese, attended fashion school to become a pattern maker, forged long-time internet friendships with viral artists like ian, and landed an opening slot for Don Toliver on his PSYCHO tour.
Molly’s talents extend beyond songwriting and performing to include her ventures into fashion. She teamed up with Rogue last year for a packed-out merch pop-up in NYC, and she even made an appearance at Paris Fashion Week, sitting at the Louis Vuitton show.
And let’s not forget her music. Her 2024 trilogy of projects—Molly Santana, MASONIC MUSIK, and self-titled files (via SoundCloud)—feature some of the most addictive tracks to come from the underground scene. —Allison Battinelli
For fans of: Lil Durk, Latto, Monaleo
Listen to these first: “Boom, Pt 2” Feat. Latto, “Hmm… BD” Feat. G Herbo, “Move”
Chicago’s next generation of drill artists has arrived. This new wave of drill rappers are young and somewhat less aggressive than their predecessors, but they bring a denser, more intricate approach to their lyrics. Mello Buckzz, who’s from the Eastside of Chicago, stands out not only as the most formidable female artist in this new wave, but potentially the most formidable artist overall.
After exploding onto the scene in 2023 with her viral posse cut “Boom (Mouskatool)”—which earned her a remix from trap titan Latto and a guest appearance at Coachella—Mello has continued to make waves throughout 2024. She’s racked up notable features, including collaborations with Chicago contemporaries like G Herbo and VonOff1700.
On these collaborations, Mello delivers threats and punchlines with a style that blends GloRilla’s baritone with Latto’s glossy swagger. But don’t try to pigeonhole her. She makes pistol-packing princess music. One of her best tracks, “Move,” sees her attacking a juke track like it was a drill beat—a reminder that even the toughest rappers need some music to “shake…ass to.” —Dario Mccarty
For fans of: Ken Carson, Skrillex, Bladee
Listen to these songs first: “trauma,” “jeans,” “gold”
There’s an air of mystery surrounding 2hollis’ come-up. Is he a rapper? A singer? A nepo baby? A producer who has tracks in the tuck with Playboi Carti? Or somewhere in between it all? The Chicago-born, LA-based artist is an anomaly in the space, bred from the digital propulsions of EDM, hyperpop and digicore. He exudes rapper energy, sitting at the crossroads of Skrillex and Ken Carson fans. It’s fitting that the latter invited him to open for his CHAOS World Tour this past year, with videos of those performances going viral.
Tracks like “jeans,” “trauma,” and “gold” send fans into a frenzy as Hollis ignites crowds with blinding strobe lights and thick clouds of dry ice that can barely be seen from afar. Being mysterious is one thing, but controlling chaos—both onstage and sonically—is where 2hollis strikes “gold.” —Jon Barlas
For fans of: Chief Keef, King Louie, A Boogie
Listen to these songs first: “Nachos,” “Inside Out,” “Cooln” Feat. Nino Paid and PlaqueBoyMax
From Chief Keef to Lil Durk to Polo G, Chicago boasts a rich tradition of teenage street rappers who eventually become stars. Sixteen-year-old BabyChiefDoIt is one of the latest to emerge from this lineage. He’s also one of the freshest faces on this list—having just started to release music last May. (On his first song, “Who Gon Drive,” he hilariously raps, “This rappin’ shit startin’ to get old, I’m runnin’ out of shit to say,” which actually might describe the contemporary rap scene in general.)
BabyChiefDoIt is firmly rooted in the drill tradition, so his raps are packed with braggadocio, threats, and street talk. But he’s also a gifted storyteller. His pen is vibrant, vivid, and illustrative enough to make you mistake the dirt on your shoulders for gunpowder. On “Inside Out,” he opens the track by reciting what sounds like the Ten Commandments, but restructured for the streets and written in blood. He repeatedly mentions his “head been fucked up,” a raw shorthand for his troubled past and uncertain future. BabyChiefDoIt’s music feels like a modern-day Billy the Kid—every song a testament to the wild night before. —Anthony Malone
For fans of: Lil Uzi Vert, Xaviersobased, Young Lean
Listen to these songs first: “Vogue,” “Whatchu Thought,” “Penthouse”
The transfixing “Vogue” was a much-needed cultural reset in the underground last year, and 1oneam couldn’t have struck at a better time. He seamlessly infuses the best elements of pandemic-era pluggnb, jerk, and hyper-rap—mixing dark subs with bubbly melodies without missing a beat. It all flows seamlessly, and that’s what makes the Milwaukee native worth the price of admission.
Linked to OsamaSon’s rapid rise in 2024, 1oneam isn’t just another voice in yet another rapper clique; he has the potential to blow up. Albums like the double-edged One Life and One Death not only cemented 1oneam’s place as a truly “next up” MC, but they also prove that his vibe is tough to replicate. Fans find their happy place on catalog highlights like “Whatchu Thought,” “Death Of Me,” and the newly released “Penthouse.” And don’t worry, you’re not too late on him—you caught 1oneam just in time. —Jon Barlas
For fans of: Playboi Carti, Summrs, Speaker Knockerz
Listen to these songs first: “Just Score It,” “popstar,” “ik what you did last summer”
OsamaSon is a hybrid of rage-era Playboi Carti and prime Speaker Knockers, setting mosh-pits ablaze with a chaotic vibrancy and swagger that just hits different. With his new album, Jumpout, fast approaching, Osama’s growing prominence—and coinciding breakout with frequent collaborator Nettspend—was impossible to miss in 2024.
Singles like “Just Score It,” “popstar,” and “ik what you did last summer” perfectly balance high-energy chaos with catchy commercial appeal. There’s a certain “it factor” OsamaSon possesses that mirrors the rise of artists like Destroy Lonely and Ken Carson, who were in similar shoes not too long ago. It’s all a cycle, and for OsamaSon, the spotlight is coming much sooner than you think. —Jon Barlas
For Fans Of: Young Nudy, 21 Savage, BabyDrill
Listen to these songs first: “F**k Sum,” “I Choose Violence,” “Bad Man”
No one represents the suffocating, dark atmosphere sounds of new Atlanta rap quite like Glokk40spaz. When Glock starts rapping, the air between the listener and his vocals feels trapped in a vacuum. There’s hardly any time to digest the previous bar before he’s overwhelming you with a relentless barrage of ferocity and rage.
Despite just coming home from a stint in prison, Glokk has maintained a steady output, releasing four mixtapes (including a collaboration with Osamason) just last year alone. Among the chaos of his war-ready anthems, there are moments of vulnerability that reveal the multiple faces of the 21-year-old. On tracks like “I Choose Violence,” Glokk confronts his inner demons, grappling with issues of self-worth, his relationships with women, and his dependence on drugs. He’s unafraid to show both sides of the same coin—where there’s action, there’s consequence. —Anthony Malone
For fans of: Yeat, Destroy Lonely, Yhapojj
Listen to these songs first: “F*CK SWAG,” “nothing like uuu,” “Shut Up”
When Nettspend raps “I feel like Future, but Gen Z” on “Beach Leak,” is he talking about the drugs, the women, the lifestyle, the aura? It’s open to interpretation, and so is his music. Your mileage may vary when it comes to a white, teenage high school dropout rapping about lean and fast girls. But even detractors can’t deny the impact.
For those who are all in, Nettspend has built one of the most intense fanbases in the game. You see it at his shows, but it’s also evident in the sycophantic way the Nettas talk about him online. His debut project, BAD ASS FCKING KID, is rough around the edges, in a way that can be frustrating but also fascinating. You can hear the commercial appeal, melodic intricacies, and vocal inflections on tracks like “Skipping Class” and “Shut Up.” But there is definitely a wasabi factor here: a dab can expand your palate, but too much too fast can leave you steamed. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
For fans of: Lil Durk, King Von, G Herbo
Listen to these songs first: “Dead N****s,” Feat. Polo G and G Herbo, “Fit Check” Feat. ian, “On Deck”
Whether it be his quirky Chicago drawl or his Nike pro shiesty that’s become synonymous with his music, the Southside rapper has quickly become a defining voice for Chicago’s new wave right now. VonOff’s slithery and infectious delivery feeds the streets with automatic hits that are reminiscent of that time. Even recruiting G Herbo and Polo G on “Dead N****s” goes to show the credibility VonOff has garnered amongst the city’s vets.
Alongside collaborating with ian on “Fit Check” and a co-sign from Sexyy Red, VonOff is bringing this sound back and to bigger circles—carrying the torch of his city, leading a resurgence in the process. —Jon Barlas
If you like: Cash Cobain, Bktherula, Bay Swag
What to start with: “I DONT MEAN IT,” “No Label,” “AI”
Baby Osama’s high-pitched voice, emo lyrics, and provocative persona might not seem like a natural fit with the sexy drill sound pioneered by Cash Cobain. But somehow, the juxtaposition works.
Born in the South Bronx in 2003, Baby Osama is a true child of both the internet and New York. She can be heady—her 2023 single “AI” explores her mistrust of people, turning instead to a computer program to process her emotions. But she can also be deeply emotive. On “RX Baby,” she sings, “I don’t be dead, I just wanna feel alive,” echoing the melancholic vibe of Lil Wayne’s “I Feel Like Dying.”
Her music merges the sultriness of New York drill with the soul-baring lyrics of a 20-something caught between existential reflection and the pursuit of living in the moment, creating something distinctly her. — Nia Coats
For fans of: Hot Boys, Boosie Badazz, Youngboy Never Broke Again
Listen to these songs first: “Tweaker”
LiAngelo Ball, the middle brother of NBA stars Lonzo and LaMelo, has released just one song so far in his career: “Tweaker.” Yet, it’s already an out-of-the-box smash—the rap equivalent of making your rookie NBA debut and getting a triple double.
“Tweaker” is nostalgic, featuring a decent amount of songwriting craft and feel-good vibes, but what it’s not is ironic. The song works because LiAngelo—who goes by G3 Gelo—isn’t smirking. This is a wholehearted attempt at creating a Y2K throwback. And because of that, the memes surrounding it aren’t mocking either. Despite reservations about athlete rappers, the wider hip-hop community loves this song.
The sample size is still small, so it’s too early for sweeping proclamations about where this is headed. But there are clear signs that LiAngelo can build on this momentum. Not only did he perform at the NFC Divisional Round game in Detroit, but he also just signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Def Jam, and will be performing at Rolling Loud LA. Oh, and he’s been teasing even more Blackberry-inspired rap. Even if his trajectory doesn’t turn him into a full-blown rap superstar, one objective truth remains: “Tweaker” is one of the greatest songs ever released by an ex-NBA player. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
For fans of: Gucci Mane, Playboi Carti, Peewee Longway
Listen to these songs first: “Aye Rage” Feat. BNYX and YourRage, “On Fire,” “Internet Girl,” “Everybody Killers”
You’ve heard the line. On “2024,” one of the standout Playboi Carti tracks from the I Am Music era, the emo Prince of ATL raps, “I was looking for Benji,” with a gleeful spike in his voice. This, of course, refers to Benji Blue Bills, who has been active since 2020 but made major strides last year.
Last year, Benji released the standout project 500k Degrees, which serves as a bridge between Gucci Mane’s old trap-music inspired Atlanta and Opium’s mosh-inspired Atlanta: DatPiff-era beats mixed with rage beats in a party bag. What stands out isn’t just Benji’s versatility across different-era beats, but his knack for blending addictive repetition in the right places and breaking off flows into refreshing pockets. Take “Internet Girl,” for example, where he raps:
“N*ggas be playin’ my song, and singin’ along,He keep startin’ shit from the topThese n*ggas hate I got shit sewed up, sewed up,Four in my soda (Wock).”
He’s already starting 2025 strong: “Aye Rage,” a song he premiered on Plaqueboymax’s Song Wars, has been going up this year.
We’re officially at the point where Carti isn’t the only one looking for Benji. —Anthony Malone
For fans of: E-40, Nef the Pharaoh, P-Lo
Listen to these songs first: “WHAT WE DOIN!?,” Feat. P-Lo, MALACHI and Richie Rich, “YANKIN!,” P-Lo, D-Lo and MALACHI, “BACK 2 BACK,” Feat. DaBoii
LaRussell has been a staple in the West Coast music scene for a while now, balancing his roles as an entrepreneur, rapper, and an all-around positive figure. But the Bay Area artist seems poised for a major breakthrough as his star continues to rise. He’s the epitome of the authentic West Coast sound, leaning into a buoyant Bay Area style reminiscent of legends like E-40.
LaRussell performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk at the end of last year and has built a strong online presence with over one million followers on Instagram. The Bay has long been known for producing artists deeply rooted in the region’s sound and staying there. While LaRussell could follow that path, he also has the ability to expand his reach to a national audience, should he choose to. —Jordan Rose
For fans of: XXXTENTACION, Playboi Carti, Yeat
Listen to these songs first: For fans of: “Blurry Picture (Psychosis),” “Plastic Body,” “Typical Rap Song 12”
Edward Skeletrix, the Florida-born, Atlanta-based rapper, producer and visual artist is an experimentalist to his core. Working with the likes of Night Lovell and XXXTENTACION (“elegant“) as a producer during the height of SoundCloud era, Edward has built his sound into something almost unrecognizable from what his peers are pushing. Showcased during his recent Museum Music exhibition in NYC, where he sat entrapped inside a glass box for hours on end, he prioritizes the art beyond the music more than anything. He came out swinging in 2025—dropping a double album entitled Museum Music and I’m A Monster on New Year’s Day.
The projects act as a call and response; one album doesn’t make sense without the other. Admittedly, it takes a few listens to get a grasp, but once you do, it feels high-end, otherworldly and almost sacred. While most underground rappers opt for the trends of the current wave—distorted mixes, trippy melodies and endless layers of instrumentation—Skeletrix does something different. He prefers vast compositions and ghostly dark-trap heard on Museum Music highlights like “Plastic Body” and “Blurry Picture (Psychosis).” It really feels like a hypnosis, guided by Ed’s haunting presence that seemingly sends you diving head-first into a dream. —Jon Barlas
For fans of: Meek Mill, Jeezy, Icewear Vezzo
Listen to these songs first: For fans of: “I Did It” Feat. YTB Fatt, “Get That Money”, “Ok Ok”
Whether for the music itself or due to unsavory, voyeuristic vloggers, Philadelphia’s street rap scene has entered the national conversation in a significant way in 2024. Heading into 2025, OT7 Quanny is the city’s biggest breakout star. With chilly Philadelphia drill beats as a backdrop, he combines the relentless punchlines of the city’s battle rap tradition with a hustle-over-everything mentality reminiscent of early 2000s proto-trap (“I grew up off Yo Gotti, Jeezy, bring the trap back,” he raps on “Dame Lillard”).
While other street rappers flood the streets, Quanny has been more strategic. The rapper doesn’t even have a debut album out yet, instead having amassed a cult-like following on the backs of singles and leaks he sporadically drops. His biggest single of 2024,”I Did It,” is a coronation. The song cites a number of signifiers that Quanny has arrived: his wristpiece, his car, his lady. But even without these materialist markers, there wouldn’t be a doubt. —Dario Mccarty
For fans of: Kodak Black, Future, Veeze
Listen to these songs first: “For Me,” “Let It Out,” “Zuper” Feat. Wizz Havinn
Hailing from Pompano Beach, Florida, Loe Shimmy fuses the bluesiest of Future’s drug-soaked melodies with the dry, croaked delivery of rappers like Veeze and Kodak Black. The result is gargoyle R&B—melodic raps that could soundtrack a swamp creature emerging from the Everglades at midnight.
Though he’s been on the scene for a while, Shimmy was particularly prolific in 2024, releasing three albums and a deluxe edition, capped by his breakout hit “For Me.” The TikTok-viral single not only landed him on the Billboard Hot 100, but also earned a remix from R&B star Brent Faiyaz. In 2025, expect Shimmy’s bleary street serenades to spread like a zombie contagion, his flow twisting through an ever-expanding network of speakers. —Dario Mccarty
If you like: Mozzy, YG, EST Gee
Start here: “Boogieman,” “Apocalypse,” “Step the Hardest”,
Stockton, California, has become the epicenter of a new generation of street rap, and leading the charge is 21 year-old EBK Jaaybo—one of the rawest, most direct gangsta rappers to emerge in recent years. He’s got serious chops as a lyricist, diving deep into themes of loss and street politics with a hyper-specific, cinematic style.
Despite the dark, often brutal nature of his music, Jaaybo scored a legit hit last year with the haunting “Boogieman.” The song quickly became one of the biggest street records of the year, racking up over 16 million views on YouTube—a remarkable feat considering it proudly lacks a hook.
Unfortunately, Jaaybo hasn’t been able to fully capitalize on his momentum. Last January, he was hit with a firearm charge and is currently incarcerated in San Joaquin County Jail. But it’s a short setback. He’s expected to perform at Rolling Loud LA in March. —Nia Coats
For fans of: Ice Spice, Central Cee, Cupcakke
Listen to these first: “Peggy,” “Legal baby,” “Last Laugh”
You’ve seen the visual: Ceechynaa performing on top of a British double-decker bus. These visuals are from “Peggy,” Ceechynaa’s hard-hitting single that went viral late last year. Her laid-back tone, paired with raucous sexual overtones and aggressive, domineering lyrics, places her somewhere in the string theory of women rappers, straddling the line between Kaliii and Cupcakke. (You can almost picture a Nicki Minaj “Anaconda” cover poster on her bedroom ceiling as the last thing she sees before falling asleep.)
Ceechynaa delivers witty lyrical jabs and financial domination imagery over infectious, driving production. She’s said she doesn’t pour much into her marketing, and that’s part of the appeal. There’s an authenticity to the DIY nature of her visuals that stands out. If we’ve learned anything from the unpredictable nature of virality, it’s that you can’t manufacture Ceechynaa’s type of organic engagement. —Allison Battinelli
For fans of: Roc Marciano, Rome Streets, Freddie Gibbs
Listen to these first: “180 SCHOOLYARD,” “Evelyn & North”
From Big L to Murda Mase to ASAP Rocky, Harlem has an underrated reputation for birthing great MCs. So when one of Harlem’s most lyrically gifted rappers anoints someone new, you take notice. That’s why my ears perked when Cam’ron recently declared Errol Holden the best lyricist from Harlem right now. He wasn’t being hyperbolic.
After a stint with Mass Appeal, Errol is now aligned with the two Rocs: he’s signed to Roc Marciano’s Pimpire International imprint and has distribution from Roc Nation. You can hear some of Marciano’s tonal influence in Errol’s music and rapping style. But where Roc Marciano is suave and slick, Errol is caffeinated and verbose. He’s also unflinching when it comes to sharing the real scars of life’s battles. One of his most powerful songs from last year, “180 SCHOOLYARD,” vividly recounts his mother’s struggle with dementia, pouring out raw, almost unbearable emotion.
Errol is about to go crazy in 2025, with three new projects slated for release this year; the first is Supreme Magnetic and it’s dropping next month. In a rap world where pure lyricism is often downplayed, a figure like Errol is vital to the game. .—Dimas Sanfiorenzo
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After a year dominated by one major event—Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar—it’s easy to forget that the sounds pushing rap music forward often come from the fringes. That’s why our annual Rappers to Watch list is such a highlight: it lets us spotlight emerging rappers who, while still developing their sound, are already pushing the genre in bold directions.
When crafting this list, it was crucial that we highlight figures from some of the most vibrant corners of hip-hop, whether it’s the DMV’s crank scene, the noisy sounds of the underground, the wild energy of the new Atlanta wave, or the fresh, teenaged faces of Chicago drill’s next generation. All of these movements are represented here.
It’s a new year, and a new crop of rappers to watch. Here are 25 rappers you need to check out in 2025.
For fans of: Young Nudy, Lil B, Gucci Mane
Listen to these songs first: “Laced Max,“ “Tony Dim,” “LUIGI”
Lazer Dim 700 might be 2025’s most thrilling prospect. He’s unpredictable, his songs sounding so chaotic and free-flowing that you never know what you’re going to hear from him. Just listen to “Medicaid,” off of his debut studio album Keepin It Cloudy, which sounds like it could score the next Scream movie. Or, check out “LUIGI” two songs later, which sounds like what you’d listen to while taking an acid trip in a ‘90s-themed mall arcade.
The only throughline in Lazer Dim’s music is that he thrives on harnessing chaos, baking it into his bars, and then bending those bars backwards over head-knoocking beats. Ye has already been seen playing his music in parties, but gaining recognition for his skills was never Lazer’s goal. “I just like to rap, I just like to have fun,” he told Complex at Rolling Loud Miami in December. —Jordan Rose
For fans of: Katie Got Bandz, G Herbo, Flo Milli
Listen to these songs first: “Yea Yea,” “4 Deep,” “How The Game Go”
Katie Got Bandz walked so STAR BANDZ could run. At just 16 years old, STAR BANDZ made waves last year with her breakout track “yea yea,” which put a drill twist on the same sample used in Jay-Z’s “Feelin’ It” (Ahmad Jamal’s “Pastures”). On the track, she raps, “Pulled up on your block and skrrt off, a hit and run. Told ’em I don’t play, I really rap, this ain’t for fun.” It’s a bold reminder that, despite her age and the fact that she doesn’t curse in her lyrics, you shouldn’t take her lightly.
STAR BANDZ released her debut project, Estrella, in November of last year. The album features appearances from notable spitters like Veeze and fellow teenagers Luh Tyler and BigChiefDoIt (more on him later). Throughout Estrella, there’s a palpable sense of readiness, with each track feeling like an adrenaline sprint or the sparks of steel clashing. —Anthony Malone
If you like: Starlito, CEO Trayle, Q Da Fool
What to listen to first: “Play This At My Funeral,” “Pain & Possibilities,” and “Kryptonite”
The DMV’s crank scene—a spiritual relative of Chicago drill—is known for its frantic, often bracing pace. And then there’s Nino Paid, probably the most vulnerable and thoughtful rapper to come out of the scene. At just 22, Nino is unusually mature, spending much of his music reflecting on childhood trauma and hardships—from growing up in foster care to losing close friends—in a raw, heart-wrenching way that sets him apart from many of his peers.
His debut album, Can’t Go Bacc, was one of last year’s gems. In songs like “When I Was Young,” he sounds like a modern-day Scarface, rapping lines like: “I been in therapy since I was nine, ‘cause that’s when I first wished I was dead.”
It’s not all just pain rap. He’s shown signs of versatility. On his 2024 single “Kryptonite,” he moves beyond street-centric themes, focusing on relationships. Over a hypnotic Jersey club flip of SZA’s “Snooze,” he raps: “Why would I ever try to go through your phone? I’m smarter than that, I ain’t losing my appetite.” —Nia Coats
For fans of: JID, Doja Cat, Noname
Listen to these songs first: “Sinner,” “Magnolia Rain,” “Rolling Stone”
If you spend enough time with Samara Cyn’s music, you won’t be surprised to learn that she was into spoken word poetry when she was little. Her musical chops are impressive—she can sing an addictive chorus just as easily as she can spit a swaggering, rapid-fire verse—but sitting at the core of every Samara Cyn song is her mastery of lyricism. The 26-year-old rapper has a way with words, effortlessly writing thoughtful songs about heartbreak (“Entry #149”) and finding the most poetic ways possible to pop her shit about being the coolest person in the room (“Sinner”). If you’re in search of a new rapper who can deliver bars within well-rounded songs that have genuine hit potential, you’ve found her. —Eric Skelton
For fans of: Lil Tecca, Tana, Trippie Redd
Listen to these first: “Pizza Time,” “Sayso,” “I Rot, I Rot”
Che’s creative evolution is impossible to ignore. With collaborations in the underground scene (like the 4ersona era) and savvy TikTok promotional campaigns, he’s positioned himself for a steady ascent over the past few years. Che’s visual and sonic identity is built around key motifs, like bunnies and insects, along with the familiar vampiric bloodlust that’s all the rage these days. A bit of GUMMO here, a dash of Donnie Darko there, with a splash of Five Nights at Freddy’s and you get a calculated, impressive blend of digestibly disturbed imagery and a personal self-discovery arc traceable through his digital footprint.
Since 2023, Che has ramped up his consistency with actual releases, starting with his debut closed captions and the intense follow-up EP Crueger. His latest full-length project, Sayso Says, is his richest, most cutting-edge album yet, propelled by the claustrophobic, glitchy production from his main collaborator natecxo. —Allison Battinelli
For fans of: Mac Miller, Earl Sweatshirt, Amy Winehouse
Listen to these songs first: “I Just Can’t Be Alone” Feat. Billy Lemos, “Stupid,” “Stacy’s Chips”
“My music is kind of sexy and scary and honest,” Lexa Gates recently told Complex. “It’s colorful, but at the same time, it’s supposed to have this horror movie vibe.” That’s what you get when you mix Lexa’s signature dry wit and brutally honest songwriting with soulful beats and melodies. The 23-year-old Queens artist is just as comfortable rapping ominous bars about her exes with a deadpan flow as she is singing a silky hook, a wide-ranging skillset that has drawn comparisons to everyone from Mac Miller to Amy Winehouse. But Lexa’s biggest strength comes from an ability to pour her own unique worldview into her music, treating each song like an off-the-cuff diary entry. She’s flattered by the fans who keep comparing her to legendary artists, but before long, we’re confident she’ll achieve her goal: “I’m going to keep working until they’re saying that about me to someone else. I think I’m in my own lane.” —Eric Skelton
For fans of: Destroy Lonely, Lil Uzi Vert, Bktherula
Listen to these first: “Chain Swangin,” “Windows Up,” “Want”
Molly Santana has aura, straight up, and a sound she’s been crafting over the years. The Inland Empire, California native is getting her flowers for both her rapping style and her aesthetics.
Citing influences ranging from Chief Keef—whose Glo Gang logo she has tattooed on her arm—to her namesakes, Santanas Fredo and Juelz, Molly’s commitment to learning the secret formula to stardom has shaped her skill set for a minute. She’s transcribed Lil Uzi Vert lyrics for translation into Japanese, attended fashion school to become a pattern maker, forged long-time internet friendships with viral artists like ian, and landed an opening slot for Don Toliver on his PSYCHO tour.
Molly’s talents extend beyond songwriting and performing to include her ventures into fashion. She teamed up with Rogue last year for a packed-out merch pop-up in NYC, and she even made an appearance at Paris Fashion Week, sitting at the Louis Vuitton show.
And let’s not forget her music. Her 2024 trilogy of projects—Molly Santana, MASONIC MUSIK, and self-titled files (via SoundCloud)—feature some of the most addictive tracks to come from the underground scene. —Allison Battinelli
For fans of: Lil Durk, Latto, Monaleo
Listen to these first: “Boom, Pt 2” Feat. Latto, “Hmm… BD” Feat. G Herbo, “Move”
Chicago’s next generation of drill artists has arrived. This new wave of drill rappers are young and somewhat less aggressive than their predecessors, but they bring a denser, more intricate approach to their lyrics. Mello Buckzz, who’s from the Eastside of Chicago, stands out not only as the most formidable female artist in this new wave, but potentially the most formidable artist overall.
After exploding onto the scene in 2023 with her viral posse cut “Boom (Mouskatool)”—which earned her a remix from trap titan Latto and a guest appearance at Coachella—Mello has continued to make waves throughout 2024. She’s racked up notable features, including collaborations with Chicago contemporaries like G Herbo and VonOff1700.
On these collaborations, Mello delivers threats and punchlines with a style that blends GloRilla’s baritone with Latto’s glossy swagger. But don’t try to pigeonhole her. She makes pistol-packing princess music. One of her best tracks, “Move,” sees her attacking a juke track like it was a drill beat—a reminder that even the toughest rappers need some music to “shake…ass to.” —Dario Mccarty
For fans of: Ken Carson, Skrillex, Bladee
Listen to these songs first: “trauma,” “jeans,” “gold”
There’s an air of mystery surrounding 2hollis’ come-up. Is he a rapper? A singer? A nepo baby? A producer who has tracks in the tuck with Playboi Carti? Or somewhere in between it all? The Chicago-born, LA-based artist is an anomaly in the space, bred from the digital propulsions of EDM, hyperpop and digicore. He exudes rapper energy, sitting at the crossroads of Skrillex and Ken Carson fans. It’s fitting that the latter invited him to open for his CHAOS World Tour this past year, with videos of those performances going viral.
Tracks like “jeans,” “trauma,” and “gold” send fans into a frenzy as Hollis ignites crowds with blinding strobe lights and thick clouds of dry ice that can barely be seen from afar. Being mysterious is one thing, but controlling chaos—both onstage and sonically—is where 2hollis strikes “gold.” —Jon Barlas
For fans of: Chief Keef, King Louie, A Boogie
Listen to these songs first: “Nachos,” “Inside Out,” “Cooln” Feat. Nino Paid and PlaqueBoyMax
From Chief Keef to Lil Durk to Polo G, Chicago boasts a rich tradition of teenage street rappers who eventually become stars. Sixteen-year-old BabyChiefDoIt is one of the latest to emerge from this lineage. He’s also one of the freshest faces on this list—having just started to release music last May. (On his first song, “Who Gon Drive,” he hilariously raps, “This rappin’ shit startin’ to get old, I’m runnin’ out of shit to say,” which actually might describe the contemporary rap scene in general.)
BabyChiefDoIt is firmly rooted in the drill tradition, so his raps are packed with braggadocio, threats, and street talk. But he’s also a gifted storyteller. His pen is vibrant, vivid, and illustrative enough to make you mistake the dirt on your shoulders for gunpowder. On “Inside Out,” he opens the track by reciting what sounds like the Ten Commandments, but restructured for the streets and written in blood. He repeatedly mentions his “head been fucked up,” a raw shorthand for his troubled past and uncertain future. BabyChiefDoIt’s music feels like a modern-day Billy the Kid—every song a testament to the wild night before. —Anthony Malone
For fans of: Lil Uzi Vert, Xaviersobased, Young Lean
Listen to these songs first: “Vogue,” “Whatchu Thought,” “Penthouse”
The transfixing “Vogue” was a much-needed cultural reset in the underground last year, and 1oneam couldn’t have struck at a better time. He seamlessly infuses the best elements of pandemic-era pluggnb, jerk, and hyper-rap—mixing dark subs with bubbly melodies without missing a beat. It all flows seamlessly, and that’s what makes the Milwaukee native worth the price of admission.
Linked to OsamaSon’s rapid rise in 2024, 1oneam isn’t just another voice in yet another rapper clique; he has the potential to blow up. Albums like the double-edged One Life and One Death not only cemented 1oneam’s place as a truly “next up” MC, but they also prove that his vibe is tough to replicate. Fans find their happy place on catalog highlights like “Whatchu Thought,” “Death Of Me,” and the newly released “Penthouse.” And don’t worry, you’re not too late on him—you caught 1oneam just in time. —Jon Barlas
For fans of: Playboi Carti, Summrs, Speaker Knockerz
Listen to these songs first: “Just Score It,” “popstar,” “ik what you did last summer”
OsamaSon is a hybrid of rage-era Playboi Carti and prime Speaker Knockers, setting mosh-pits ablaze with a chaotic vibrancy and swagger that just hits different. With his new album, Jumpout, fast approaching, Osama’s growing prominence—and coinciding breakout with frequent collaborator Nettspend—was impossible to miss in 2024.
Singles like “Just Score It,” “popstar,” and “ik what you did last summer” perfectly balance high-energy chaos with catchy commercial appeal. There’s a certain “it factor” OsamaSon possesses that mirrors the rise of artists like Destroy Lonely and Ken Carson, who were in similar shoes not too long ago. It’s all a cycle, and for OsamaSon, the spotlight is coming much sooner than you think. —Jon Barlas
For Fans Of: Young Nudy, 21 Savage, BabyDrill
Listen to these songs first: “F**k Sum,” “I Choose Violence,” “Bad Man”
No one represents the suffocating, dark atmosphere sounds of new Atlanta rap quite like Glokk40spaz. When Glock starts rapping, the air between the listener and his vocals feels trapped in a vacuum. There’s hardly any time to digest the previous bar before he’s overwhelming you with a relentless barrage of ferocity and rage.
Despite just coming home from a stint in prison, Glokk has maintained a steady output, releasing four mixtapes (including a collaboration with Osamason) just last year alone. Among the chaos of his war-ready anthems, there are moments of vulnerability that reveal the multiple faces of the 21-year-old. On tracks like “I Choose Violence,” Glokk confronts his inner demons, grappling with issues of self-worth, his relationships with women, and his dependence on drugs. He’s unafraid to show both sides of the same coin—where there’s action, there’s consequence. —Anthony Malone
For fans of: Yeat, Destroy Lonely, Yhapojj
Listen to these songs first: “F*CK SWAG,” “nothing like uuu,” “Shut Up”
When Nettspend raps “I feel like Future, but Gen Z” on “Beach Leak,” is he talking about the drugs, the women, the lifestyle, the aura? It’s open to interpretation, and so is his music. Your mileage may vary when it comes to a white, teenage high school dropout rapping about lean and fast girls. But even detractors can’t deny the impact.
For those who are all in, Nettspend has built one of the most intense fanbases in the game. You see it at his shows, but it’s also evident in the sycophantic way the Nettas talk about him online. His debut project, BAD ASS FCKING KID, is rough around the edges, in a way that can be frustrating but also fascinating. You can hear the commercial appeal, melodic intricacies, and vocal inflections on tracks like “Skipping Class” and “Shut Up.” But there is definitely a wasabi factor here: a dab can expand your palate, but too much too fast can leave you steamed. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
For fans of: Lil Durk, King Von, G Herbo
Listen to these songs first: “Dead N****s,” Feat. Polo G and G Herbo, “Fit Check” Feat. ian, “On Deck”
Whether it be his quirky Chicago drawl or his Nike pro shiesty that’s become synonymous with his music, the Southside rapper has quickly become a defining voice for Chicago’s new wave right now. VonOff’s slithery and infectious delivery feeds the streets with automatic hits that are reminiscent of that time. Even recruiting G Herbo and Polo G on “Dead N****s” goes to show the credibility VonOff has garnered amongst the city’s vets.
Alongside collaborating with ian on “Fit Check” and a co-sign from Sexyy Red, VonOff is bringing this sound back and to bigger circles—carrying the torch of his city, leading a resurgence in the process. —Jon Barlas
If you like: Cash Cobain, Bktherula, Bay Swag
What to start with: “I DONT MEAN IT,” “No Label,” “AI”
Baby Osama’s high-pitched voice, emo lyrics, and provocative persona might not seem like a natural fit with the sexy drill sound pioneered by Cash Cobain. But somehow, the juxtaposition works.
Born in the South Bronx in 2003, Baby Osama is a true child of both the internet and New York. She can be heady—her 2023 single “AI” explores her mistrust of people, turning instead to a computer program to process her emotions. But she can also be deeply emotive. On “RX Baby,” she sings, “I don’t be dead, I just wanna feel alive,” echoing the melancholic vibe of Lil Wayne’s “I Feel Like Dying.”
Her music merges the sultriness of New York drill with the soul-baring lyrics of a 20-something caught between existential reflection and the pursuit of living in the moment, creating something distinctly her. — Nia Coats
For fans of: Hot Boys, Boosie Badazz, Youngboy Never Broke Again
Listen to these songs first: “Tweaker”
LiAngelo Ball, the middle brother of NBA stars Lonzo and LaMelo, has released just one song so far in his career: “Tweaker.” Yet, it’s already an out-of-the-box smash—the rap equivalent of making your rookie NBA debut and getting a triple double.
“Tweaker” is nostalgic, featuring a decent amount of songwriting craft and feel-good vibes, but what it’s not is ironic. The song works because LiAngelo—who goes by G3 Gelo—isn’t smirking. This is a wholehearted attempt at creating a Y2K throwback. And because of that, the memes surrounding it aren’t mocking either. Despite reservations about athlete rappers, the wider hip-hop community loves this song.
The sample size is still small, so it’s too early for sweeping proclamations about where this is headed. But there are clear signs that LiAngelo can build on this momentum. Not only did he perform at the NFC Divisional Round game in Detroit, but he also just signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Def Jam, and will be performing at Rolling Loud LA. Oh, and he’s been teasing even more Blackberry-inspired rap. Even if his trajectory doesn’t turn him into a full-blown rap superstar, one objective truth remains: “Tweaker” is one of the greatest songs ever released by an ex-NBA player. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
For fans of: Gucci Mane, Playboi Carti, Peewee Longway
Listen to these songs first: “Aye Rage” Feat. BNYX and YourRage, “On Fire,” “Internet Girl,” “Everybody Killers”
You’ve heard the line. On “2024,” one of the standout Playboi Carti tracks from the I Am Music era, the emo Prince of ATL raps, “I was looking for Benji,” with a gleeful spike in his voice. This, of course, refers to Benji Blue Bills, who has been active since 2020 but made major strides last year.
Last year, Benji released the standout project 500k Degrees, which serves as a bridge between Gucci Mane’s old trap-music inspired Atlanta and Opium’s mosh-inspired Atlanta: DatPiff-era beats mixed with rage beats in a party bag. What stands out isn’t just Benji’s versatility across different-era beats, but his knack for blending addictive repetition in the right places and breaking off flows into refreshing pockets. Take “Internet Girl,” for example, where he raps:
“N*ggas be playin’ my song, and singin’ along,He keep startin’ shit from the topThese n*ggas hate I got shit sewed up, sewed up,Four in my soda (Wock).”
He’s already starting 2025 strong: “Aye Rage,” a song he premiered on Plaqueboymax’s Song Wars, has been going up this year.
We’re officially at the point where Carti isn’t the only one looking for Benji. —Anthony Malone
For fans of: E-40, Nef the Pharaoh, P-Lo
Listen to these songs first: “WHAT WE DOIN!?,” Feat. P-Lo, MALACHI and Richie Rich, “YANKIN!,” P-Lo, D-Lo and MALACHI, “BACK 2 BACK,” Feat. DaBoii
LaRussell has been a staple in the West Coast music scene for a while now, balancing his roles as an entrepreneur, rapper, and an all-around positive figure. But the Bay Area artist seems poised for a major breakthrough as his star continues to rise. He’s the epitome of the authentic West Coast sound, leaning into a buoyant Bay Area style reminiscent of legends like E-40.
LaRussell performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk at the end of last year and has built a strong online presence with over one million followers on Instagram. The Bay has long been known for producing artists deeply rooted in the region’s sound and staying there. While LaRussell could follow that path, he also has the ability to expand his reach to a national audience, should he choose to. —Jordan Rose
For fans of: XXXTENTACION, Playboi Carti, Yeat
Listen to these songs first: For fans of: “Blurry Picture (Psychosis),” “Plastic Body,” “Typical Rap Song 12”
Edward Skeletrix, the Florida-born, Atlanta-based rapper, producer and visual artist is an experimentalist to his core. Working with the likes of Night Lovell and XXXTENTACION (“elegant“) as a producer during the height of SoundCloud era, Edward has built his sound into something almost unrecognizable from what his peers are pushing. Showcased during his recent Museum Music exhibition in NYC, where he sat entrapped inside a glass box for hours on end, he prioritizes the art beyond the music more than anything. He came out swinging in 2025—dropping a double album entitled Museum Music and I’m A Monster on New Year’s Day.
The projects act as a call and response; one album doesn’t make sense without the other. Admittedly, it takes a few listens to get a grasp, but once you do, it feels high-end, otherworldly and almost sacred. While most underground rappers opt for the trends of the current wave—distorted mixes, trippy melodies and endless layers of instrumentation—Skeletrix does something different. He prefers vast compositions and ghostly dark-trap heard on Museum Music highlights like “Plastic Body” and “Blurry Picture (Psychosis).” It really feels like a hypnosis, guided by Ed’s haunting presence that seemingly sends you diving head-first into a dream. —Jon Barlas
For fans of: Meek Mill, Jeezy, Icewear Vezzo
Listen to these songs first: For fans of: “I Did It” Feat. YTB Fatt, “Get That Money”, “Ok Ok”
Whether for the music itself or due to unsavory, voyeuristic vloggers, Philadelphia’s street rap scene has entered the national conversation in a significant way in 2024. Heading into 2025, OT7 Quanny is the city’s biggest breakout star. With chilly Philadelphia drill beats as a backdrop, he combines the relentless punchlines of the city’s battle rap tradition with a hustle-over-everything mentality reminiscent of early 2000s proto-trap (“I grew up off Yo Gotti, Jeezy, bring the trap back,” he raps on “Dame Lillard”).
While other street rappers flood the streets, Quanny has been more strategic. The rapper doesn’t even have a debut album out yet, instead having amassed a cult-like following on the backs of singles and leaks he sporadically drops. His biggest single of 2024,”I Did It,” is a coronation. The song cites a number of signifiers that Quanny has arrived: his wristpiece, his car, his lady. But even without these materialist markers, there wouldn’t be a doubt. —Dario Mccarty
For fans of: Kodak Black, Future, Veeze
Listen to these songs first: “For Me,” “Let It Out,” “Zuper” Feat. Wizz Havinn
Hailing from Pompano Beach, Florida, Loe Shimmy fuses the bluesiest of Future’s drug-soaked melodies with the dry, croaked delivery of rappers like Veeze and Kodak Black. The result is gargoyle R&B—melodic raps that could soundtrack a swamp creature emerging from the Everglades at midnight.
Though he’s been on the scene for a while, Shimmy was particularly prolific in 2024, releasing three albums and a deluxe edition, capped by his breakout hit “For Me.” The TikTok-viral single not only landed him on the Billboard Hot 100, but also earned a remix from R&B star Brent Faiyaz. In 2025, expect Shimmy’s bleary street serenades to spread like a zombie contagion, his flow twisting through an ever-expanding network of speakers. —Dario Mccarty
If you like: Mozzy, YG, EST Gee
Start here: “Boogieman,” “Apocalypse,” “Step the Hardest”,
Stockton, California, has become the epicenter of a new generation of street rap, and leading the charge is 21 year-old EBK Jaaybo—one of the rawest, most direct gangsta rappers to emerge in recent years. He’s got serious chops as a lyricist, diving deep into themes of loss and street politics with a hyper-specific, cinematic style.
Despite the dark, often brutal nature of his music, Jaaybo scored a legit hit last year with the haunting “Boogieman.” The song quickly became one of the biggest street records of the year, racking up over 16 million views on YouTube—a remarkable feat considering it proudly lacks a hook.
Unfortunately, Jaaybo hasn’t been able to fully capitalize on his momentum. Last January, he was hit with a firearm charge and is currently incarcerated in San Joaquin County Jail. But it’s a short setback. He’s expected to perform at Rolling Loud LA in March. —Nia Coats
For fans of: Ice Spice, Central Cee, Cupcakke
Listen to these first: “Peggy,” “Legal baby,” “Last Laugh”
You’ve seen the visual: Ceechynaa performing on top of a British double-decker bus. These visuals are from “Peggy,” Ceechynaa’s hard-hitting single that went viral late last year. Her laid-back tone, paired with raucous sexual overtones and aggressive, domineering lyrics, places her somewhere in the string theory of women rappers, straddling the line between Kaliii and Cupcakke. (You can almost picture a Nicki Minaj “Anaconda” cover poster on her bedroom ceiling as the last thing she sees before falling asleep.)
Ceechynaa delivers witty lyrical jabs and financial domination imagery over infectious, driving production. She’s said she doesn’t pour much into her marketing, and that’s part of the appeal. There’s an authenticity to the DIY nature of her visuals that stands out. If we’ve learned anything from the unpredictable nature of virality, it’s that you can’t manufacture Ceechynaa’s type of organic engagement. —Allison Battinelli
For fans of: Roc Marciano, Rome Streets, Freddie Gibbs
Listen to these first: “180 SCHOOLYARD,” “Evelyn & North”
From Big L to Murda Mase to ASAP Rocky, Harlem has an underrated reputation for birthing great MCs. So when one of Harlem’s most lyrically gifted rappers anoints someone new, you take notice. That’s why my ears perked when Cam’ron recently declared Errol Holden the best lyricist from Harlem right now. He wasn’t being hyperbolic.
After a stint with Mass Appeal, Errol is now aligned with the two Rocs: he’s signed to Roc Marciano’s Pimpire International imprint and has distribution from Roc Nation. You can hear some of Marciano’s tonal influence in Errol’s music and rapping style. But where Roc Marciano is suave and slick, Errol is caffeinated and verbose. He’s also unflinching when it comes to sharing the real scars of life’s battles. One of his most powerful songs from last year, “180 SCHOOLYARD,” vividly recounts his mother’s struggle with dementia, pouring out raw, almost unbearable emotion.
Errol is about to go crazy in 2025, with three new projects slated for release this year; the first is Supreme Magnetic and it’s dropping next month. In a rap world where pure lyricism is often downplayed, a figure like Errol is vital to the game. .—Dimas Sanfiorenzo
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