The Memphis hip-hop scene of the early 2000s was one of the most significant periods in history. If you’re a new rap fan, chances are you heard of Memphis, Tennessee. It’s called the birthplace of hip-hop and is undoubtedly one of the most prolific rap cities in America. Numerous well-known rappers from the city call it home and have all had success with some notable figures. We’ve compiled a list for your convenience, taking into account genre, era, and beats dominant artists played throughout their career in order from first to last. So without further ado, here is the list of 20 famous Memphis rappers you need to know.
1. Duke Deuce
Previous Lashun Isom was born in 1992, better known by his stage name Duke Deuce, and is an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. In 2021, he released Duke Nukem, his first studio album, which debuted at number three on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart.
2. Big Boogie
Mario Sentell Giden Mims was born in 1981 in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. He was known professionally as Yo Gotti. He is an American rapper, songwriter, and record executive. Under Lil Yo, Gotti released his debut album Youngsta’s On a Come Up, in 1996. He released From Da Dope Game 2 Da Rap Game, Self-Explanatory, Life, Back two da Basics, Live from the Kitchen, I Am, The Art of Hustle, I Still Am, Untrapped, and CM10: Free Game.
3. Project Pat
Rapper from Memphis, Tennessee, Patrick Earl Houston, better known by his stage name Project Pat, was born in 1973. He is Juicy J’s (the co-founder of Three 6 Mafia) older brother. He became a member of Juicy and Paul’s group Three 6 Mafia. He first gained mainstream attention when he provided the hook for the group’s hit single “Sippin’ on Some Syrup” in 2000.
4. Gangsta Pat
Patrick Hall was born in 1973), better known by his stage name Gangsta Pat. The son of Stax Records drummer Willie Hall, he is a rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. He rose to prominence in the Memphis underground in the late 1980s. [1] Gangsta Pat joined Atlantic Records at the beginning of the Gangsta rap era, becoming one of the first local rappers to switch from an independent label to a major one.
5. Yo Gotti
Mario Sentell Giden Mims was born in 1981, known professionally as Yo Gotti, and is an American rapper, songwriter, and record executive. In 1999, his debut album Youngsters On a Come Up was released, followed by Life in 2011. Both albums achieved Gold status. He co-founded the record label Ca$hville Records and is the founder and president of Collective Music Group (CMG).
6. Lil Wyte
Patrick Dhane Lanshaw was born in 1982, better known by his stage name Lil Wyte. He is a rapper who is American. He runs the indie label Wyte Music and belongs to Hypnotize Minds’ rap group. He has released six independent studio albums: Wylin’ Out (2003), My Mind Playin’ Tricks on Me (2005), Still (2008), Mafia & Mafioso (2012), The Bad Influence (2014), and High Wyte Empire Vol. 1 & 2.
7. Jay Fizzle
Jay Fizzle was born in 1994 in the United States. He was also known as PaperRoute JayFizzle, a rap artist who would often perform and record in collaboration with Young Dolph. He dropped a 2017 mixtape called Life Of A Lul Gangsta.
8. Fresco Trey
Rising Memphis rap prodigy Fresco Trey has a remarkable knack for fusing otherworldly melodies with hard-hitting production and introspective lyrics. A naturally intuitive songwriter, Freso Trey has an unbelievable sense of melody and lyrics, with all the essential qualities an artist should have. He is undoubtedly headed for stardom, and 2022 could be one continuous victory lap for him.
9. Dee Mula
Dee Mula was born in 1994. He is a rapper from Memphis and is most popular for songs like Freestyle 8 and Weekend Da Go. He dropped his first album, “Da Mula World,” in 2010, which peaked at #11 on the U.S. rap charts. He has also released two more albums, Da Mula World 2 and a mixtape called Still Aggro. A new album titled Fruition is also something he’s currently working on.
10. Juicy J
Juicy J, a stage name for Jordan Michael Houston III, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1975. He is a record producer and rapper from America. He is known for being one of the founding members of the Southern hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia and especially for his work with numerous prominent hip-hop artists, including Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Wiz Khalifa, Nicki Minaj, Gucci Mane, and Project Pat, among many others.
11. Young Dolph
Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. was born in 1985 – died in 2021; better known by his stage name Young Dolph, he was an American rapper and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee. He was regarded as one of the founding members of the Southern hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia, especially for his work with numerous prominent hip-hop artists, including Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Wiz Khalifa, Nicki Minaj, Gucci Mane, and Project Pat, among many others.
12. Key Glock
Markeyvius LaShun Cathey was born in 1997, better known by his stage name Key Glock; He is a Memphis, Tennessee-born rapper and composer. Key Glock’s debut single, “Racks Today,” which features American rapper Jay Fizzle, was released in 2017 after Young Dolph signed Glock to the Paper Route Empire label. Under the label, Glock released his first mixtape, Glock Season. Dum & Dummer, his joint album with Young Dolph, peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200. [7] “Major,” a song by Key Glock and Young Dolph, peaked at 47 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
13. Pooh Shiesty
Montreal Rapper from Memphis, Tennessee, Donell Williams Jr., better known by his stage name Pooh Shiesty, was born in 1999. He has contracts with Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records and Atlantic Records. [3] His rise to fame in 2020 was fueled by collaborations with the rapper and other label artists. A 2020 joint effort with Lil Durk, “Back in Blood,” is possibly his most well-known song.
14. Big Scarr
Alexander Woods was born in 2000, better known by his stage name Big Scarr. He is a rapper from Memphis, Tennessee, affiliated with 1017 Records, run by Gucci Mane. He is well known for the song “SoIcyBoyz,” which he co-wrote with Tay Keith, Foogiano, and Pooh Shiesty. Big Grim Reaper, his first mixtape, was made available. On the Billboard 200, the tape peaked at position number 25.
15. Big Moochie Grape
Big Moochie Grape was born in 1995 in Memphis, TN is looking to become his city’s next breakout star. In 2017, when he discovered a studio where he could record songs for $20 each, he started to take rap seriously. At the beginning of 2020, he signed with his mentor Young Dolph’s Paper Route Empire label. Eat Or Get Ate, the rapper’s ominous first album was released in 2020. He collaborated on the Nays & Grapes 2 project with the rapper’s Jay Fizzle, LoLife Blacc, and D.J. Fly Guy in the same year. His album, East Haiti Baby, was released in 2022.
16. Big30
Rodney Lamont Wright Jr. was born in 1999, better known by his stage name Big30 (stylized as BIG30); He is a Memphis, Tennessee-born American rapper. His most well-known composition is the 2021 hit “Neighbors,” which he co-wrote with his childhood friend Pooh Shiesty and peaked at 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. Future, Lil Durk, Pooh Shiesty, and Moneybagg Yo are among the guests who make an appearance.
17. 8Ball & MJG
8Ball & MJG is an American hip-hop duo from Memphis, Tennessee. They have released ten studio albums and over twenty-five mixtapes. They are best known for their starting single, “Space Age Pimpin’,” in 1994. Later, they released Ten Toes Down, On Top of the World, In Our Lifetime, Space Age 4 Eva, Living Legends, and On the Outside Looking In.
18. DJ Paul
Paul Duane Beauregard was born in 1977, better known by his stage name DJ Paul. He is an American D.J., record producer, and rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. DJ Paul began his career as a D.J. in the late 1980s. He recorded many tapes on his own and three albums with Lord Infamous under the moniker The Serial Killaz. Juicy J was introduced to gain widespread success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and the three formed the band Three 6 Mafia.
19. Moneybagg Yo
DeMario DeWayne White Jr. was born in 1991, known professionally as Moneybagg Yo. He is an American rapper. He is affiliated with fellow Memphis rapper Yo Gotti’s record label, Collective Music Group, through a joint venture with Interscope Records (CMG). Federal 3X and 2 Heartless, his first two Top 20 albums, made his Billboard 200 debut in positions 5 and 16, respectively.
20. Don Trip
Christopher Don Wallace, commonly known as Don Trip, is an American rapper born in 1985. Since the middle of the 2000s, he has released a steady stream of mixtapes, albums, and projects pioneer of the Memphis sound.
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