18 New Rappers Your Should Listen to Right Now

It has been 50 years since the birth of hip-hop. For those of us who have been lucky enough to be alive at the same time as this music renaissance, we’ve watched the genre shapeshift and take over the world with an unbelievably strong force. Hip-hop has allowed youth all over the world to express themselves, create beautiful art out of difficult circumstances, and tell stories that travel far and wide. And over these past 50 years, the sound of hip-hop has become so far-reaching and expansive; it feels like thousands of niche sounds have been carved out by the young artists who thrive in its world.

When you consider the countless subgenres of rap and hip-hop combined with how easy it now is for young artists to create and share their music online, it can make new music discovery feel like a pretty daunting task. Sorting through new releases and finding new artists can feel like an overwhelming hurricane of information, as 120k+ songs are released every day on Spotify and every other video on your Tik Tok FYP is an artist telling you “did I just make the song of the summer?”

When it comes to staying tapped into the new generation of rap artists, it can require a solid amount of dedication and care. Luckily, I spend my days scouring the internet and the streets for the coolest and most innovative creatives, curating my collection of rising sounds. Then, I come back here to share my findings with you all to hopefully make your discovery experience a little more enjoyable! Today, I present you with a list of the best new rappers you should listen to right now. These artists have been selected due to their lyrical talents, the uniqueness of their sound, beat selection, and their overall ability to build a beautiful world with their music.

1. Igwe Aka

From Sacramento California, Igwe Aka’s sound feels airy and light, like the first day of spring that hits above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The texture of his voice feels like a shoe with strong traction, keeping you glued to the path and always engaged. His voice allows him to be different people, one second speaking in a deep tone, and singing in a bright falsetto the next. His music videos also speak to his talent with building a vibrant visual world around his songs.

2. Devin Malik

Devin Malik began his journey making beats and DJing in high school, and eventually began securing producer placements with artists like D Savage and Lil Yachty. As he grew older, he started working closely with TDE, producing heavily on iconic albums like “The House Is Burning” by Isaiah Rashad.

More recently, he produced five beats on ScHoolboy Q’s “Blue Lips” album. But what was different this time was that Devin also showed up as a featured rapper on two “Blue Lips” tracks. His recent shift to becoming a forward-facing rapper has unveiled an entirely new layer of his talent. His energy behind the mic is infectious; I can already see him having entire festival crowds moshing with songs like “CANADIAN TUX” and “LINK DUCKER”.

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3. SadBoi

Toronto-based SadBoi has built a unique sound by hopping on incredibly danceable production. Her newest record “BARE CHAT” features heavy baile funk influence, a choice she made after Drake showed love to her song “Slide”.

SadBoi raps about only surrounding herself with baddies, wearing her favorite mini skirt, and not tolerating disrespect from any man. SadBoi is a beautiful example of the energy that’s created when the worlds of rap and dance music meet

4. Baby Osama

New York has been going crazy recently with an enormous wave of innovation. The sexy drill movement has been exploding, and one artist I’ve been most excited about discovering through this sound has been Baby Osama, who has made a strong name for herself within this scene. Aside from the impeccable swag that comes with her fashion and personality, her musical choices speak volumes about who she is.

Her lyrics are loud and often abrasive: “I HATE YOU, YOU A B*TCH” is the opening bar for her song “I DON’T MEAN IT”. Her harmonies add a layer of dreaminess to her “idgaf”-coded lyrics, providing a feeling of silliness within her hating. Baby Osama is crafting a sound for a specific type of baddie, and girls who know will KNOW.

5. Bib Sama

Fans of artists like Lancey Foux, Destroy Lonely, and Playboi Carti will find great joy in their first listen to UK rapper Bib Sama. He works over colorful, otherworldly production full of synths that make you feel like you’re blasting out of the atmosphere. Bib’s sound is futuristic and exciting.

While many young rappers take inspiration from the Destroy Lonely’s and Carti’s of the world, not many are able to take that inspiration and turn it into a sound that feels truly their own. But Bib Sama is not like the rest. His melodies keep the songs feeling exciting and engaging. If you’re looking to take a dive into his sound, his 2022 album “PLATINUS” is a great place to start.

6. Turich Benjy

Turich Benjy, from Cincinnati Ohio, is a shapeshifter. He is a frequent collaborator of the great Pink Siifu, and in 2023 the pair released a magnificent album called “”IT’S TOO QUIET..’!!”. Throughout the album, Benjy showcases his versatility and his ability to have as much fun as possible on a track. His voice reminds me so much (and I say this with all seriousness) of Young Thug.

Benjy feels like what you’d get if Young Thug took a deep dive into exploring alternative trap and neo-soul production. He manages to always find the most creative possible way to navigate a beat, best showcased on his songs like “Sparkz (In The Air)” and “WYWD..’!?” with Pink Siifu.

7. Niko B

Niko B is a multihyphenate UK-based artist, who started out by finding success through a YouTube channel and clothing brand. His first single “Marry Berry” was released in 2020, immediately attracting attention from listeners. But his next release, “Who’s That What’s That” is what took him to the next level. It’s incredibly easy to bop to, with lyrics that anyone can relate to (losing your bank card, feeling nauseous from eating an omelette, copping a Big Mac).

His most recent releases like “tresspass coat” and “boarded the plane” show exciting growth in his artistry. It feels like Niko B is on his way to being a staple on all of our playlists!

8. SALIMATA

Brooklyn born and raised SALIMATA recently finished opening up for MIKE on his “Somebody Fine Me Trouble” tour. Her sound exists in that beautiful world of artists like MIKE and Sideshow, as she raps over breathtaking beats. Her most recent project “Wooden Floors”, released in February of 2024, features an expertly curated array of samples.

Her voice provides a beautiful balance to the spacey, soulful production, pulling us down to Earth and encouraging us to come a bit closer as she whispers her stories. The project includes a feature from Pink Siifu, as well as MIKE on the brilliant “u kno who u are”. SALIMATA’s flows bring a sweet and fun feminine energy to this world of rap that is super refreshing and encouraging.

9. Planet Giza

In 2023, Planet Giza released my favorite album of that year: “Ready When You Are”. The Montreal-based trio begins the album with a Michael Jackson-esque track, full of sweet harmonies and a groove that immediately has you bouncing your head. The rest of the album dives into a multitude of groovy sounds with incredibly original production. Featuring a beautiful group of collaborators like Mick Jenkins, Saba, Venna, femdot., and more, Planet Giza positions themselves amongst some of the most tasteful artists in the game today.

Tony Stone, the lead vocalist, takes storytelling to a new level with his lyricism. His lyrics feel like a genuine conversation with a friend, guiding you through his hopes, fears, internal struggles, and his love stories. As far as Canadian rappers, Planet Giza might be one of the most exciting acts emerging out of the region.

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10. Scuti

I first discovered UK-based Scuti while browsing through 2k submissions from artists hoping to be placed on a Spotify playlist for my page. When I came across Scuti’s song “Comfy”, her cool, nonchalant tone immediately caught my attention. Scuti prides herself on simplicity, communicating her message with as little as possible, leaving ample space for her beats to breathe. Her style allows for the music to have a super calm bounce; it’s the perfect soundtrack for getting a nice fit off or plotting your world takeover.

11. MuddyMya

MuddyMya has quickly become one of my favorite rising voices out of Atlanta. Her song “Only Thing I Trust” has become a staple in my library.

She says “I ain’t got no time for love / b*tch thing bag only thing I trust / yeah this money only thing I trust”. Her voice matches perfectly with Cade’s production, which feels floaty and not far off from a beat we’d expect to hear someone like Carti on. On her song “CASHIN OUT” she constructs a hypnotizing rhythm with addicting melodies. Mya recently opened up for TiaCorine at her Atlanta tour stop: a super meaningful nod from a fellow trailblazer in the world of rap. I can’t wait to watch MuddyMya to continue building up her world!

12. MARCO PLUS

MARCO PLUS is one of those rappers who was clearly born for this. When Marco raps, he speaks with conviction and confidence. You can hear his hunger in the way he enunciates and in his lyrical choices. Marco takes every ounce of pain, trauma, and confusion in his own life and pours it into his raps.

He reminds me of an early JID; every song is impressive with expert lyricism and fiery passion. Marco is already loved by the rap community, collaborating with peers like Kenny Mason, WowGr8Deluxe, SmokeDZA, and Ben Reilly. MARCO PLUS is a rap legend in the making, and now is your chance to be early.

13. Mvte

For years, Chicago has been breeding some of the most creative and vibrant musicians in the game. The current batch of rising artists out of Chicago is especially fun, and Mvte is one of the ones to make sure you keep an eye on. Her voice is incredibly distinct and immediately recognizable. Mvte’s discography shows off her ability to adapt, with some songs giving an upbeat and danceable vibe while others encourage you to sit, bop your head, and look within. Her 2024 album “LETMVTEIT, Vol. 1” is a strong body of work, with highlights being “Not Interested” and “No Sir, No Ma’am”.

14. El Cousteau

When you are one of the features on the song “Real Hip Hop”, you are already cemented in history. DC’s El Cousteau first landed on my radar through his collaborations with MIKE (“Real Hip Hop”, “Mussel Beach”, etc.) Seeing his style and general swag outside of music signaled to me that this man really knows what he’s doing, and encouraged me to dig deeper into his discography.

El Cousteau gets adventurous with his flows, providing a laid-back bounce that still feels exciting and alive. The smooth texture of his voice can be compared to peers like Niontay and Pink Siifu. Just like those two, El Cousteau’s raps can feel hypnotizing, pulling you deep into his world.

15. Cap1talA

When I first heard London-based Cap1talA rapping over a sample of “Dreamflower” by Tarika Blue on his song “Paranoia”, I knew he was serious (and very tasteful). His voice and accent are intoxicating, and his musical choices are explorative. It’s clear that Cap1talA isn’t here only to rap, but puts great intention behind building songs.

He possesses an ability to craft a whole world with his sound, a quality I see present in many of the greatest musicians of today. His most recent release, “Above Anxiety” tells tales of coping with anxiety, abandonment issues, financial stress, etc. His openness and ability to clearly communicate emotion with his lyrics is impressive and inspiring.

16. Ovrkast.

Representing Oakland California, Ovrkast. has had a beautiful rise over the past years. Starting his journey as a producer for artists like MAVI, Navy Blue, and many others, Ovrkast. had already built a signature sound for himself before he started rapping. But once he stepped into the game as a rapper, he stopped us all in our tracks.

Songs like “TBH!” show his ability to reflect on his own feelings of self-doubt and unsureness, while songs like “RESET” showcase his passion and talent for storytelling. When he did his On The Radar performance, he rapped over the beat for “Red Button” (a beat he produced for Drake), and made it his own. It was this moment and many others that showed me Ovrkast. is a hip-hop legend in the making.

17. Yo OG

Yo OG, part of New York hip-hop collective “No Label Ent”, has been crafting a beautiful sound. His most recent album “This Too Shall Pass” features beat selection that’s so good, it could move me to tears on the right day. The project takes us on a soulful journey of self-acceptance and making peace with the world around us.

18. Lexa Gates

Lexa Gates comes to us from Queens, NY. Her 2023 song “Angel” catapulted her into the spotlight, and her distinctive sound and interesting personality have kept her there. Her style is reminiscent of artists like Mac Miller; her lyrics are the perfect balance of honest and lighthearted, her production feels nostalgic (perfect for outdoor listening in the summer).

Her voice sounds unapologetically New York, most noticeable in moments like the intro of “Rotten To The Core”: “You wanna get f*cked, go head then / I don’t got time for your a**”. Lexa’s flows are creative and engaging, and immediately stick themselves to your memory. She has quickly built a cult following, and is representing an inspiring new way for women in hip-hop to express themselves.

In 2024, the “hip-hop is dead” discourse can be quickly disproven by all of the artists above. The world of rap is full of innovators and boundary-pushers, taking music to the next level with every new release.

We exist in a time where innovation is widespread and inspiration whirls all around us. Social media and the bleeding of styles across state and country lines is leading to some of the most creative music we’ve ever seen.

50 years from the birth of hip-hop, we’ve seen the genre transform into one of the most versatile styles of art in human history. When we stay tapped in to the youth who are leading this transformation, we can get valuable insight on where it’s heading next. And to those of us who know, we are confident that hip-hop is in great hands.