Rappers have been at the forefront of popular culture since the 1990s. However, the hip-hop scene in 2023 is well-positioned for global dominance. Rappers have become some of the most famous musicians overnight. What hip-hop artists are you most excited to see live, and what records are you currently listening to?
The top 50 rappers in 2023 are listed in this article. This list is based on a variety of factors, including style, genre, age, and millennial popularity. We hope you enjoy this piece, which we have written for your convenience.
1. Drake
| Full Name | Aubrey Drake Graham |
| Date of Birth | October 24, 1986 |
| Place of Birth | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Years active | 2001–present |
On October 24, 1986, Canadian rapper, singer, and actor Aubrey Drake Graham was born. Drake, an influential figure in contemporary popular music, has been credited with spreading hip hop’s R&B and singing sensibilities.
Drake is one of the best-selling musicians in the world, with more than 170 million records sold, making him the highest-certified digital singles artist in the US. Drake holds additional Hot 100 records and has eleven Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles to his credit; He has the hottest 100 debuts in a single week, the most charted songs, the most simultaneously charted songs, and the most continuous time on the Hot 100 (431 weeks). On the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot Rap Songs, and Rhythmic Airplay charts, he also has the number one singles.
2. Snoop Dogg
| Full Name | Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. |
| Date of Birth | October 20, 1971 |
| Place of Birth | Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 1992–present |
American rapper Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., born on October 20, 1971, is better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg (previously known as Snoop Lion and Snoop Doggy Dogg). When he made his first solo appearance on Dr. Dre’s “Deep Cover” in 1992 and later on his debut solo album, “The Chronic,” Snoop Dogg first came to public attention. Since then, Broadus has sold 35 million albums worldwide and 23 million albums in the United States. He has won an American Music Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and 17 Grammy Award nominations.
Following his purchase of Death Row Records from MNRK Music Group, formerly known as eOne Music, Snoop Dogg issued his 19th studio album, BODR, in 2022.
3. J. Cole
| Full Name | Jermaine Lamarr Cole |
| Date of Birth | January 28, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Frankfurt, West Germany |
| Years active | 2007–present |
Jermaine Lamarr Cole is an American rapper and record producer born on January 28, 1985. Following the early 2007 release of his debut mixtape, The Come Up, Cole first gained recognition as a rapper.
Cole has been honored with eight BET Hip Hop Awards, three Soul Train Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award for Best Rap Album, and a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song. All five of his albums, including Revenge of the Dreamers III, have received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
J. Cole remixed Drake’s Certified Lover Boy track “Pipe Down” for his freestyle titled “Heaven’s EP,” which was released on September 21, 2021. The song was included in the Dreamville compilation D-Day on March 31, 2022.
4. Kendrick Lamar
| Full Name | Kendrick Lamar Duckworth |
| Date of Birth | June 17, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Compton, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 2003–present |
Rapper and songwriter Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born in the United States on June 17, 1987. He is frequently regarded as one of his generation’s most influential hip-hop artists because of his progressive musical styles and socially conscious songwriting.
All of Kendrick Lamar’s studio albums have received platinum or higher certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and they have collectively sold more than 70 million copies just in the United States.
He has won 11 MTV Video Music Awards, a Brit Award, two American Music Awards, six Billboard Music Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, 17 Grammy Awards, and a Primetime Emmy. The California State Senate gave Lamar the Generational Icon Award in 2015. He has been mentioned in Time 100 and Forbes 30 Under 30 lists. Rolling Stone ranked the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2020 based on three of Kendrick Lamar’s studio albums.
5. 21 Savage
| Full Name | Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph |
| Date of Birth | October 22, 1992 |
| Place of Birth | Plaistow, London, England |
| Years active | 2014–present |
Rapper Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, better known by his stage name 21 Savage, was born on October 22, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States.
On February 3, 2019, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained 21 Savage. Officials revealed that he was a British citizen who entered the United States in July 2005 and had illegally extended his H-4 visa, which had expired in 2006. He was released on February 12 pending the outcome of an expedited deportation hearing, which was initially scheduled for April 9 but was later postponed indefinitely because 21 Savage’s attorneys stated that he had been legally residing in the United States for several years before the 2005 H-4 visa. The hearing was postponed indefinitely because 21 Savage had been granted bond. On November 4, 2022, Drake announced the release of a joint studio album with 21 Savage titled “Her Loss.”
6. Future
| Full Name | Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn |
| Date of Birth | November 20, 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Years active | 2011-present |
Nayvadius DeMun Cash, formerly known as Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn, American rapper Future, better known by his stage name, was born on November 20, 1983. Future is regarded as a pioneer in using melody and auto-tunes in contemporary trap music. He is well-known for his prolific output and vocals reminiscent of mumble. He is generally considered one of the most influential rappers of his generation due to the sustained popularity of his musical style in the modern era.
GQ named Future one of the “best rappers alive” in April 2022. I Never Liked You, Future’s ninth studio album, was announced earlier that month and released on April 29, 2022.
7. Lil Uzi Vert
| Full Name | Symere Bysil Woods |
| Date of Birth | July 31, 1995 |
| Place of Birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Years active | 2012–present |
Symere Bysil Woods is July 31, 1995, native of the United States who performs as a rapper, singer, and songwriter. Known as Lil Uzi Vert on stage, she uses. Their unique facial piercings, androgynous clothing, and imagery based on a melodic emo approach to trap set them apart.
“XO Visit Llif3” served as the lead single for Lil Uzi Vert’s debut studio album Luv Is Fury 2 (2017), which debuted at number one on the Bulletin 200 and was certified two times platinum by the Recording Business Association of America (RIAA). Lil Uzi Vert received the Best New Artist award at the 2018 Grammy Awards.
8. Eminem
| Full Name | Marshall Bruce Mathers III |
| Date of Birth | October 17, 1972 |
| Place of Birth | St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S. |
| Years active | 1988–present |
Rapper and record producer Eminem, real name Marshall Bruce Mathers III, hails from the United States. Oct. 17, 1972, marked his birth. Hip-hop was introduced to middle America by Eminem, considered one of the best rappers ever. Many think that Eminem’s success and notoriety helped white rappers gain acceptance in the music industry.
Eminem is among the most commercially successful musicians, with over 220 million records estimated to have been sold worldwide. In November 2022, Eminem was admitted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
9. Juice WRLD
| Full Name | Jarad Anthony Higgins |
| Date of Birth | December 2, 1998 |
| Died | December 8, 2019 |
| Years active | 2015–2019 |
Juice Wrld (pronounced “juice world”), also known as Jarad Anthony Higgins, was a rapper and singer-songwriter from the United States who was born on December 2, 1998, died on December 8, 2019, and was also known as Juice WRLD. During the middle to late 2010s, Juice Wrld was a leading figure in the emo rap and SoundCloud rap genres that attracted mainstream attention. His stage name comes from the 1992 movie Juice, and he says that it means “taking over the world.”
On December 8, 2019, Higgins overdosed and died. Legends Never Die (2020), his first album released after his death, set records for the most successful posthumous debut and most U.S. top ten entries from one album. The single “Come & Go,” featuring Marshmello, became Higgins’ second number-two Hot 100 hit. Fighting Demons, his second posthumous album, was released in 2021 alongside the documentary Juice World: Into the Abyss, which featured the U.S. number-one single “Already Dead.”
10. YoungBoy Never Broke Again
| Full Name | Kentrell DeSean Gaulden |
| Date of Birth | October 20, 1999 (age 23) |
| Place of Birth | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Years active | 2015–present |
American rapper Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, born on October 20, 1999, goes by the stage name YoungBoy Never Broke Again. He is also known as NBA YoungBoy or simply YoungBoy. He released eight independent mixtapes between 2015 and 2017 and steadily developed a cult following through his work. Gaulden was signed to Atlantic Records toward the end of 2017. He put out the single “Outside Today” in January 2018, which reached number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Until Death Call My Name (2018), his debut album, first appeared on the US Billboard 200 at position seven, with the song serving as the lead single.
Despite his success, Gaulden’s career has been marked by a lengthy legal dispute that began in 2016 and has resulted in the release of numerous projects while he has been in prison.
11. XXXTentacion
| Full Name | Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy |
| Date of Birth | January 23, 1998 |
| Died | June 18, 2018 |
| Years active | 2013–2018 |
Born on January 23, 1998, and dying on June 18, 2018, Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, also known as XXXTentacion, was an American rapper and singer-songwriter.
XXXTentacion has sold 68 million certified records in the US and the UK, with RIAA-certified sales of 61 million units and BPI-certified sales of over 7 million units, respectively. He was nominated for 11 Billboard Music Awards after his death, as well as an American Music Award and a BET Hip Hop Award. Skins (2018) and Bad Vibes Forever (2019) were the two posthumous albums released; The first album reached number one for the second time, while the second album made it into the top five.
12. Lil Baby
| Full Name | Dominique Armani Jones |
| Date of Birth | December 3, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Years active | 2015–present |
Lil Baby, a stage name used by American rapper Dominique Armani Jones, was born on December 3, 1994. Lil Baby won a Grammy Award, an MTV Video Music Award, and two BET Awards. At the 2020 Apple Music Awards, he was named the biggest all-genre artist of the year.
Untrapped is a documentary film about Lil Baby: Karam Gill’s The Story of Lil Baby had its Tribeca Film Festival premiere in June 2022 and was released on Amazon Prime Video in August 2022.
The singles “In A Minute” and “Right On,” which Lil Baby released in April 2022, reached their highest positions on the Billboard Hot 100 at numbers 14 and 13, respectively. He released the promotional single “Detox” in September. He released “Heyy” as the second single from his upcoming album. It’s Only Me in October. Four days later, the album was released, becoming his third consecutive number-one album.
13. Polo G
| Full Name | Taurus Tremani Bartlett |
| Date of Birth | January 6, 1999 |
| Place of Birth | Old Town, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Years active | 2017–present |
Taurus Tremani Bartlett, an American rapper better known by her stage name Polo G, was born on January 6, 1999. He became well-known because of the singles “Finer Things” and “Pop Out” (featuring Lil Tjay).
The Goat, Bartlett’s second studio album, entered the Billboard 200 at number two and produced ten Billboard Hot 100 singles. Hall of Fame (2021), his third studio album, became Bartlett’s first to reach the top of the charts and featured his first number-one single, “Rapstar,” which aided in the continuation of his mainstream success.
14. Lil Wayne
| Full Name | Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. |
| Date of Birth | September 27, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Years active | 1995–present |
Lil Wayne is the stage name of Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. According to XXL, he is among his generation’s most significant hip-hop artists. Among the greatest rappers of all time, he has also been referred to.
As one of the most famous musicians in the world, Lil Wayne has sold more than 120 million records, including more than 20 million albums and 70 million digital tracks in the US. The CEO of Lil Wayne’s record label, Young Money Entertainment, is also his current role.
15. Pop Smoke
| Full Name | Bashar Barakah Jackson |
| Date of Birth | July 20, 1999 |
| Died | February 19, 2020 |
| Years active | 2017–2020 |
American rapper Bashar Barakah Jackson, better known by his stage name Pop Smoke, was born on July 20, 1999, and passed away on February 19, 2020. Pop Smoke, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, released his debut single, “MPR (Panic Part 3 Remix),” at the end of 2018. In 2019, Pop Smoke’s breakout singles “Welcome to the Party” and “Dior” made him famous. He frequently collaborated with UK drill artists and producers, reintroducing the sound of Brooklyn drill and employing instrumentation that was more minimal and aggressive than American drill artists from Chicago.
He was killed in a home invasion in Los Angeles twelve days after the mixtape was released. All 19 songs on the album charted on the Billboard Hot 100, and the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Faith, Pop Smoke’s second studio album, was released by Republic Records on July 16, 2021, one year later.
16. Playboi Carti
| Full Name | Jordan Terrell Carter |
| Date of Birth | September 13, 1996 |
| Place of Birth | Riverdale, Georgia, U.S. |
| Years active | 2011–present |
American rapper Jordan Terrell Carter, better known by his stage name Playboi Carti, was born on September 13, 1996. Before signing with ASAP Mob’s AWGE Label under Interscope Records, Carter was initially signed to the local underground label Awful Records. In 2017, after beginning his career with a cult following, Carter attracted mainstream attention.
In April 2017, Carter released his first mixtape, which featured Lil Uzi Vert’s “Woke Up Like This” and the Billboard Hot 100-charting single “Magnolia.” Die Lit, his first studio album, reached number three on the US Billboard 200. After a two-year hiatus with little to no new music, Carter’s highly anticipated second album, Whole Lotta Red, made its chart-topping debut at number one on the Billboard 200.
In addition to his solo career, Carter started his record label in 2019 called Opium. Since then, the label has signed artists like Ken Carson and Destroy Lonely.
17. Lil Durk
| Full Name | Durk Derrick Banks |
| Date of Birth | October 19, 1992 |
| Place of Birth | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Years active | 2010–present |
Born on October 19, 1992, Durk Derrick Banks is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter better known by his stage name Lil Durk. He is the group’s leader and started the record label Only The Family (OTF). The Signed to the Streets mixtape series that Durk put out between 2013 and 2014 led to a cult following and a deal with Def Jam Recordings. Before he left Def Jam in 2018, the label released his first studio albums, Remember My Name (2015) and Lil Durk 2X (2016).
Durk announced on July 31, 2022, that he would take a break from performing and recording while recovering from his injuries after his head was struck by an explosive pyrotechnic on July 30. Durk was performing at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago when the accident occurred, causing injuries to his face and right eye.
18. Gunna
| Full Name | Sergio Giavanni Kitchens |
| Date of Birth | June 14, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | College Park, Georgia, U.S. |
| Years active | 2013–present |
Born on June 14, 1993, Sergio Giavanni Kitchens is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is signed to YSL Records, 300 Entertainment, Atlantic Records, and Young Thug’s record label. In 2019, he put out his first studio album, Drip or Drown 2, and in 2020, he put out his second studio album, Wunna, which debuted at the top of the Billboard 200. In 2022, he released his third album, DS4Ever, which became his second consecutive number-one album.
19. Roddy Ricch
| Full Name | Rodrick Wayne Moore Jr. |
| Date of Birth | October 22, 1998 |
| Place of Birth | Compton, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 2017–present |
Roddy Ricch, a rapper, singer, and songwriter from the United States, was born on October 22, 1998. He is a rapper, singer, and songwriter. In 2018, his single “Die Young,” which reached number 98 on the Billboard Hot 100, propelled him to fame. Feed Tha Streets (2017) and Feed Tha Streets II (2018), Ricch’s first two mixtapes, also received widespread praise.
Ricch has won several awards, including an American Music Award, two BET Awards, two BET Hip Hop Awards, and a Grammy Award from nine nominations.
20. A$AP Rocky
| Full Name | Rakim Athelaston Mayers |
| Date of Birth | October 3, 1988 |
| Place of Birth | New York City, U.S. |
| Years active | 2007–present |
Rapper, record producer, and businessman Rakim Athelaston Mayers are from the United States. He was born on October 3, 1988, and goes by the stage name ASAP Rocky (sometimes stylized as A$AP Rocky). He started his musical career as a member of the hip-hop collective ASAP Mob, from which he got his name.
Rocky has been nominated for two Grammy Awards, six World Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, and two MTV Europe Music Awards, in addition to winning a BET Award, two BET Hip Hop Awards, an MTV Video Music Award in Japan, and an MTVU Woodie Award. Rocky has also directed music videos for Danny Brown, other members of the A$AP Mob, and himself. Additionally, he releases records under the alias Lord Flacko.
21. Rod Wave
| Full Name | Rodarius Marcell Green |
| Date of Birth | August 27, 1998 |
| Place of Birth | St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. |
| Years active | 2016–present |
Rod Wave, an American rapper and singer was born on August 27, 1998. His real name is Rodarius Marcell Green. The 2019 single “Heart on Ice,” which went viral on YouTube and TikTok, reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. Wave’s debut album, “Ghetto Gospel,” reached number 10 on the US Billboard 200. The song “Rags2Riches” from his second album, Pray 4 Love (2020), reached number 12 on the Hot 100 and peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200. His third album, Soulfly (2021), was his first album to top the charts and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
Wave’s single “Cold December” was made available in January 2022. His next album’s name, Beautiful Mind, and the fact that it was submitted on April 25, 2022, were revealed in a freestyle he released of Future’s “Wait for U” on May 1, 2022. August 12, 2022, saw the album’s release.
22. Trippie Redd
| Full Name | Michael Lamar White II |
| Date of Birth | June 18, 1999 |
| Place of Birth | Canton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Years active | 2014–present |
Michael Lamar White II, better known by his stage name Trippie Redd, is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. He was born on June 18, 1999.
Trippie Redd is one of the most well-known members of the mainstream SoundCloud rap scene in the late 2010s. He gained popularity thanks to the lead single from his debut mixtape, A Love Letter to You (2017).
On January 20, 2023, White released Mansion Musik, his fifth studio album. Chief Keef, who is featured on two tracks, executive produces the album. The release of White’s fifth mixtape, A Love Letter To You 5, is anticipated for 2023.
23. Post Malone
| Full Name | Austin Richard Post |
| Date of Birth | July 4, 1995 |
| Place of Birth | Syracuse, New York, U.S. |
| Years active | 2011–present |
Post Malone is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer from the United States. He was born on July 4, 1995. Malone has received praise for blending hip-hop, pop, R&B, and trap genres and subgenres. He is known for his diverse vocals. He got his stage name by entering his birth name into a rap name generator.
Malone is one of the best-selling artists in music, having sold more than 80 million records. He has won ten Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, and one MTV Video Music Award, and he has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards. He holds numerous Billboard chart records, including He is the first solo artist to reach the top of both the Rap Airplay and Adult Contemporary charts. His song “Circles” also holds the record for the longest solo-artist climb to the top of the Adult Contemporary chart (41 weeks).
24. Baby Keem
| Full Name | Hykeem Jamaal Carter Jr. |
| Date of Birth | October 22, 2000 |
| Place of Birth | Carson, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 2017–present |
American rapper and record producer Hykeem Jamaal Carter Jr., better known by his stage name Baby Keem, was born on October 22, 2000. His first major hit, “Orange Soda,” from his second mixtape, “Die for My Bitch” (2019), brought him a lot of attention. He would later work with Kanye West on the song “Praise God,” which was certified Platinum in April 2022 and reached the top 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Columbia Records and pgLang released The Melodic Blue, his first studio album, in September 2021. Baby Keem won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance for his collaboration with his cousin Kendrick Lamar on the song “Family Ties.”
25. DaBaby
| Full Name | Jonathan Lyndale Kirk |
| Date of Birth | December 22, 1991 |
| Place of Birth | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Years active | 2014–present |
DaBaby, formerly known as Baby Jesus, is the stage name of American rapper Jonathan Lyndale Kirk. In 2019, his debut album, Baby on Baby, helped him break into the mainstream. The album featured the Billboard Hot 100 top ten single “Suge.” The remixes of Jack Harlow’s “Whats Poppin” and Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” singles featuring DaBaby peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020. He was also honored with two iHeartRadio Music Awards that same year for his feature on Pop Smoke’s top ten single “For the Night.” In 2022, DaBaby and YoungBoy Never Broke Again released the mixtape Better than You.
26. Tyler, the Creator
| Full Name | Tyler Gregory Okonma |
| Date of Birth | March 6, 1991 |
| Place of Birth | Hawthorne, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 2007–present |
Tyler, the Creator, is a rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer from the United States who was born on March 6, 1991. He is a founding member of the Odd Future music collective. Okonma has been honored with a BRIT Award, an MTV Video Music Award, three BET Hip Hop Awards, and two Grammy Awards.
Okonma is a visual artist who has created Odd Future’s merchandise, clothing, and album covers. In 2012, Okonma started the annual music festival Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival and the streetwear brand Golf Wang. Between 2015 and 2018, Okonma also established and managed the streaming service Golf Media, which featured livestreams of each Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival and Tyler’s original scripted series.
27. Nardo Wick
| Full Name | Horace Bernard Walls III |
| Date of Birth | December 30, 2001 |
| Place of Birth | Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Years active | 2020–present |
American rapper Horace Bernard Walls III, better known by his stage name Nardo Wick, was born on December 30, 2001. 2021 single “Who Want Smoke?” by Nardo Wick, released by Flawless Entertainment and RCA Records, is his most well-known work. In a remix, he includes fellow rappers G Herbo, Lil Durk, and 21 Savage, helping the song to become platinum-certified by the RIAA and climb to number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Who Is Nardo Wick? Wick’s first studio album was released that year as well.
28. Don Toliver
| Full Name | Caleb Zackery Toliver |
| Date of Birth | June 12, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Years active | 2015–present |
Rapper and singer Caleb Zackery “Don” Toliver was born in the United States on June 12, 1994. His debut studio album, Heaven or Hell, featured the singles “No Idea” and “After Party,” which helped him become popular on the video-sharing app TikTok (2020).
Toliver announced the release of his third studio album, Lovesick, on February 14, 2023. Lil Durk and GloRilla were featured on Toliver’s single “Leave the Club,” which was released on February 17 along with the announcement that Lovesick would be available on February 24.
29. The Kid LAROI
| Full Name | Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard |
| Date of Birth | August 17, 2003 |
| Place of Birth | Waterloo, New South Wales, Australia |
| Years active | 2018–present |
Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard (also known as The Kid Laroi) is a rapper, singer, and songwriter who was born on August 17, 2003. Before signing a partnership agreement with Columbia Records and Lil Bibby’s Grade A Productions, he had a local following. In 2021, he reached mainstream popularity with his collaboration with Justin Bieber on “Stay,” which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
In addition, Howard’s songs “Without You” and “Stay,” which he co-wrote with Justin Bieber, reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. “Stay” reached the top spot for seven consecutive weeks. Laroi asserts that he enjoys making rap and pop music and does not belong to any particular genre.
30. Cardi B
| Full Name | Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar |
| Date of Birth | October 11, 1992 |
| Place of Birth | New York City, U.S. |
| Years active | 2015–present |
Cardi B, the stage name of American rapper and composer Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar Cephus, was born on October 11, 1992. She first rose to prominence as an Instagram and Vine influencer.
Cardi B was named Woman of the Year by Billboard in 2020, and 2018, Time magazine listed her among the 100 most influential individuals in the world. She quit the music profession in 2022 to become the creative director of Playboy. Cardi B’s song “Tomorrow,” which she co-wrote with rapper GloRilla and dubbed “Tomorrow 2,” peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 2022, becoming her eleventh top-10 single overall.
31. Doja Cat
| Full Name | Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini |
| Date of Birth | October 21, 1995 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 2012–present |
Doja Cat, a rapper, singer, and record producer from the United States, was born on October 21, 1995. She was raised in Los Angeles, California, and began creating and posting music on SoundCloud as a teenager. She signed a joint record deal with RCA Records and Kemosabe at the age of 17 for the song “So High.” In 2014, she then issued her debut EP, Purrr!
Doja Cat has received many honors over the course of her career, including three MTV Video Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, five American Music Awards, and one Grammy Award out of sixteen nominations.
32. Pooh Shiesty
| Full Name | Lontrell Donell Williams Jr. |
| Date of Birth | November 8, 1999 |
| Place of Birth | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Years active | 2019–2022 (Incarcerated in 2022) |
American rapper Lontrell Donell Williams Jr., better known by his stage name Pooh Shiesty, was born on November 8, 1999. He is signed to Atlantic Records and Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records.
Through his collaborations with the rapper and other artists on the label, he became famous in 2020. His 2020 single, “Back in Blood,” featuring Lil Durk, may be his most well-known work. On February 5, 2021, Pooh Shiesty released his first commercial mixtape, Shiesty Season, which reached number three on the US Billboard 200. His late brother gave him the stage name, which comes from his childhood nickname “Mr. Pooh” and his lifestyle nickname “Shiesty.”
33. Jack Harlow
| Full Name | Jackman Thomas Harlow |
| Date of Birth | March 13, 1998 |
| Place of Birth | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Years active | 2011–present |
Jackman Thomas Harlow, an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor, hails from Louisville, Kentucky. He was born on March 13, 1998. He began his career in 2015 and released several EPs and mixtapes before being signed to Atlantic Records’ Generation Now imprint in 2018 by Don Cannon and DJ Drama.
Several organizations have nominated Harlow for awards, one of which is Best New Artist at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. He was included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and named Variety’s “Hitmaker of the Year” in the same year. He will make his acting debut in a Calmatic-directed remake of the 1992 film White Men Can’t Jump in 2022.
34. Megan Thee Stallion
| Full Name | Megan Jovon Ruth Pete |
| Date of Birth | February 15, 1995 |
| Place of Birth | San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Years active | 2016–present |
Rapper Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, also known as Megan Thee Stallion (pronounced “Megan the Stallion”), was born in the United States on February 15, 1995. She first gained attention when videos of her freestyling became popular on social media platforms like Instagram, where she was originally from in Houston, Texas.
In 2018, Megan Thee Stallion made a deal with 300 Entertainment. There, she released the mixtape Fever (2019) and the extended play Suga (2020), making the Billboard 200’s top ten.
35. Nicki Minaj
| Full Name | Onika Tanya Maraj |
| Date of Birth | December 8, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Years active | 2004–present |
Born in Trinidad on December 8, 1982, Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and actress better known by her stage name Nicki Minaj. Between 2007 and 2009, Minaj put out three mixtapes, which is when she first became well-known.
In 2016, Nicki Minaj appeared on Time magazine’s annual list of the world’s 100 most powerful people. Throughout her career, the media has paid close attention to Minaj’s outspoken views and social media arguments. On October 21, 2022, Minaj and the rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again released their collaborative single, “I Admit.”
36. Frank Ocean
| Full Name | Christopher Edwin Breaux |
| Date of Birth | October 28, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 2005–present |
Frank Ocean, Christopher Francis (born Christopher Edwin Breaux), On October 28, 1987), was an American rapper, singer, and songwriter.
Music critics have praised his works for their avant-garde styles and reflective, elliptical lyrics. Ocean has been honored with a number of awards, including two Grammys and a Brit Award for Best International Male Solo Artist. Additionally, Rolling Stone ranked his two studio albums among the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2020).
37. Ice Spice
| Full Name | Isis Gaston |
| Date of Birth | January 1, 2000 |
| Place of Birth | The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Years active | 2023 (present) |
Ice Spice, better known by her stage name Isis Gaston (born January 1, 2000), is an American rapper. She started her career in 2021 after meeting record producer RIOTUSA while attending SUNY Purchase.
Isis Gaston was born and raised in The Bronx, New York City. Before her debut extended play (EP) Like..?, Ice Spice rose to prominence with the songs “Munch (Feelin’ U),” “Bikini Bottom,” and “In Ha Mood.” 2023). The New York Times’ Jon Caramanica then referred to her as “rap’s new princess.”
38. EST Gee
| Full Name | George Albert Stone III |
| Date of Birth | May 11, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Years active | 2017–present |
EST Gee, a stage name used by American rapper George Albert Stone III, was born on May 11, 1994. EST Gee is signed to Warlike, Interscope Records, and Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG). Bigger Than Life or Death, his fifth mixtape, was released on July 21, 2021, and it reached number 7 on the Billboard 200. On December 3, 2021, a deluxe edition of the mixtape was released.
39. Key Glock
| Full Name | Markeyvius LaShun Cathey |
| Date of Birth | August 3, 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Years active | 2016–present |
Rapper and songwriter Markeyvius LaShun Cathey, better known by his stage name Key Glock, hails from Memphis, Tennessee. He was born on August 3, 1997. He rose to fame in 2017 with the release of his mixtape Glock Season. He was Young Dolph’s protégé. He has signed with Paper Route Empire, Young Dolph’s record label.
Key Glock paid homage to Young Dolph with the song “Proud” on January 18, 2022. It appears on the Long Live Young Dolph tribute compilation, which was released on January 21, 2022.
40. Saweetie
| Full Name | Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper |
| Date of Birth | July 2, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | Santa Clara, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 2016–present |
American rapper Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, better known by his stage name Saweetie, was born on July 2, 1993. She was signed to Artistry Worldwide, a Warner Records subsidiary, following the 2017 release of her debut single, “Icy Grl.” Artistry Worldwide was managed by Max Gousse at the time.
In 2018, Saweetie released High Maintenance, her first extended play. Icy, her second EP, debuted in March 2019 and produced the hit single “My Type,” which reached the top 40. Before the release of her debut album, Pretty Bitch Music, which is due out in 2022, she released the singles “Tap In” and “Best Friend” (featuring Doja Cat), both of which peaked in the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Saweetie was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 2021, one of which was Best New Artist.
41. 42 Dugg
| Full Name | Dion Marquise Hayes |
| Date of Birth | November 25, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Years active | 2017–present |
Rapper Dion Marquise Hayes, better known by his stage name 42 Dugg, hails from Detroit, Michigan. He was born on November 25, 1994.
He is well-known for his collaborations with Lil Baby, such as “Grace” and “We Paid,” the latter of which reached the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time. His second mixtape, Young & Turnt 2, was well-received and made him a Billboard 200 debut. Free Dem Boyz, his fourth mixtape, debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200 in 2021.
In May 2021, Billboard named 42 Dugg the “R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month.” Also, in 2021, he was featured in the annual XXL Freshman Class.
42. GloRilla
| Full Name | Gloria Hallelujah Woods |
| Date of Birth | July 28, 1999 |
| Place of Birth | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S |
| Years active | 2016–present |
Gloria Hallelujah Woods, better known by her stage name GloRilla, is an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. She was born on July 28, 1999.
GloRilla became well-known after she released the song “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” in 2022, which she co-wrote with Hitkidd and was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.
GloRilla collaborated with Cardi B on the song “Tomorrow 2,” which debuted in the Billboard Hot 100’s top ten. Latto and J.T. of City Girls contributed to a remix of her single “F.N.F. (Let’s Go).” GloRilla and labelmate Moneybagg Yo released the single “On Wat U On” in January 2023.
43. Bad Bunny
| Full Name | Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio |
| Date of Birth | March 10, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Almirante Sur, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico |
| Years active | 2013–present |
Benito Antonio Martnez Ocasio, better known by his stage name Bad Bunny, is a Puerto Rican rapper and singer born on March 10, 1994. His music is primarily Latin trap and reggaeton, but he also incorporates elements of other genres into his compositions. In 2016, his song “Diles” made him famous and got him a deal with Hear This Music. Over the following few years, he continued to gain popularity with songs like “Soy Peor” and collaborations with Farruko, Karol G, Ozuna, J Balvin, and others.
Spanish-language music’s mainstream popularity in the global market is credited to Bad Bunny. Bad Bunny broke the record for Spotify’s most streamed Artist of the year for the second time in 2021, making him the first Artist from outside the English-speaking world to do so. After that, in 2022, he had the most streams of any artist on Spotify. Bad Bunny has won thirteen Premios lo Nuestro awards, eight Billboard Music Awards, four Latin Grammy Awards, and three Grammy Awards. At the Apple Music Awards in 2022, he won the Artist of the Year.
44. Moneybagg Yo
| Full Name | DeMario DeWayne White Jr. |
| Date of Birth | September 3, 1991 |
| Place of Birth | South Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Years active | 2010–present |
Rapper Moneybagg Yo was born in the United States on September 22, 1991. He is known by his stage name Moneybagg Yo. He is known for his blend of trap, drill, and Southern hip-hop music. He is known for his sharp lyrics, mellow delivery, and themes that delve into introspection, and he is considered one of the leading voices in contemporary hip-hop.
Moneybagg has won several awards, including Complex’s Best Rapper of the Decade award and the 2021 Trapper of the Year award. In addition, he has received nominations for awards from organizations like the American Music Awards, Hollywood Music in Media Awards, Grammy Awards, and iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Moneybagg Yo mentioned how he intended to give Nuskie’s name to a piece of land he had purchased in a 2022 interview with the New York Times. Moneybagg Yo announced the opening of a new restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee, in collaboration with The Real Poison Ivy on February 10, 2023. Marilyn Monroe images are featured on Cache 42 Kitchen and Cocktails as a way to honor her legacy.
45. G Herbo
| Full Name | Herbert Randall Wright III |
| Date of Birth | October 8, 1995 |
| Place of Birth | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Years active | 2011–present |
An American rapper from Chicago, Herbert Randall Wright III, better known by his stage name G Herbo (formerly Lil Herb), was born on October 8, 1995.
Machine Entertainment Group has signed G Herbo to a contract. Welcome to Fazoland (2014), Pistol P Project (2014), Ballin Like I’m Kobe (2015), and Strictly 4 My Fans are among his mixtapes. His first studio album, Humble Beast (2017), and Swervo (2018), his first major release on Epic Records with Southside of 808 Mafia, are his two studio albums. His first entry into the top ten on the Billboard 200 was his third studio album, PTSD, which came out in 2020. His fourth album, 25, came out in 2021, his first release on Republic Records.
46. Cordae
| Full Name | Cordae Amari Dunston |
| Date of Birth | August 26, 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Years active | 2014-present |
Born on August 26, 1997, Cordae Amari Dunston is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter better known by his stage name Cordae (formerly YBN Cordae and Entendre). He became well-known by releasing remixes of well-known songs, such as Eminem’s “My Name Is” and J. Cole’s “1985,” as a response. When videos of the two remixes were uploaded to worldstarhiphop’s YouTube channel, mainstream media, and the online rap community received an overwhelming and immediate positive response.
The Lost Boy, his first studio album, was released in 2019 to widespread acclaim; At the 62nd Grammy Awards, it was up for two awards—Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song—for the single “Bad Idea.” From 2018 until he departed from the group in 2020 when he dropped the “YBN” from his stage name, Cordae was a member of the YBN collective.
47. Coi Leray
| Full Name | Coi Leray Collins |
| Date of Birth | May 11, 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Years active | 2011–present |
American rapper and singer Coi Leray Collins was born on May 11, 1997. In 2018, she began uploading music to SoundCloud and released her first mixtape, Everythingcoz, along with the single “Huddy.”
Leray released her second mixtape, EC2 (2019), and her first extended play, Now or Never (2020), following her record deal with Republic Records and 1801 Records.
Lil Durk’s remix of her song “No More Parties,” which was platinum-certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021. Leray’s debut studio album, Trendsetter, was released in 2022. It inspired the song “Blick Blick,” which Leray co-wrote with Nicki Minaj and reached the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.
48. Lil Nas X
| Full Name | Montero Lamar Hill |
| Date of Birth | April 9, 1999 |
| Place of Birth | Lithia Springs, Georgia, U.S. |
| Years active | 2018–present |
Lil Nas X, a stage name for American rapper, singer, and songwriter Montero Lamar Hill was born on April 9, 1999. Lil Nas X won prizes for Best Music Video and Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 62nd Grammys. He won the American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Song and two MTV Video Music Awards for “Old Town Road,” including Song of the Year. The first openly gay Black musician to receive a Country Music Association honor is Lil Nas X. He was named one of the 25 most influential people online by Time in 2019 and one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in 2020.
49. SSGKobe
| Full Name | Tyreek Solomon Pellerin |
| Date of Birth | December 2, 2003 |
| Place of Birth | Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Years active | 2018–present |
American rapper and singer-songwriter Tyreek Solomon Pellerin, better known by his stage name SSGKobe, was born on December 2, 2003. His 2021 single Thraxx, which went viral on TikTok, made him popular. Additionally, his numerous collaborations with Cole Bennett, the director of music videos, helped him gain traction.
Artist Ka$hkenni took to Instagram in December 2022 to accuse SSGKobe of forcing her to have sex on November 23, 2022, in a soundproof studio room.
50. Flo Milli
| Full Name | Tamia Monique Carter |
| Date of Birth | January 9, 2000 |
| Place of Birth | Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
| Years active | 2019–present |
American rapper Tamia Monique Carter, better known by her stage name Flo Milli, was born on January 9, 2000. She became well-known after her songs “Beef FloMix” and “In the Party” became so popular on the social media platform TikTok that the Recording Industry Association of America eventually declared them gold. She then signed a recording contract with RCA Records and Justin Goldman’s ’94 Sounds.
Ho, Why Is You Here?, Flo Milli’s debut mixtape, was released in 2020), to praise from critics. The mixtape debuted on the Billboard 200 and was included on Rolling Stone’s list of the “200 Greatest Hip Hop Albums of All Time.” She competed for Best New Artist at the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards. You Still Here, Ho?, her debut album, was released in July 2022.