20 Rappers Who Aren't From Where You Think They're From

Just because they rep a city, doesn't mean they were born there.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Whatever a rapper's reason to put on for their city—pride, civic responsibility, trolling for a fan base, the way a Braves cap looks perfect on tilt—nearly every one does. Rap is filled with references to the blocks, neighborhoods, and cities that helped raise rappers. So much so that you might sit back and listen to an album like The Chronic and imagine you're riding down Slauson Ave. Or you might bump Illmatic and feel like you can practically touch the concrete of the Queensbridge projects. 

Over time, rappers' hometowns become a part of their narrative; sometimes their sound even becomes associated with the region. But here's the thing: Not every rapper was actually born in the cities, towns, or boroughs they rep. That doesn't mean they're faking the funk, it just means they were born and lived their early life in places other than what they talk about in their songs. If you don't know, now you know: Here 20 Rappers Who Aren't From Where You Think They're From. Represent, represent!

Nelly

Not Available Interstitial

Gucci Mane

Not Available Interstitial

Ludacris

Not Available Interstitial

Wiz Khalifa

Not Available Interstitial

No Malice

Not Available Interstitial

Kurupt

Not Available Interstitial

Wu-Tang Clan

Not Available Interstitial

Brother Ali

Not Available Interstitial

Machine Gun Kelly

Not Available Interstitial

Devin the Dude

Not Available Interstitial

Xzibit

Not Available Interstitial

Prodigy

Not Available Interstitial

Gunplay

Not Available Interstitial

French Montana

Not Available Interstitial

The D.O.C.

Not Available Interstitial

2Pac

Not Available Interstitial

Waka Flocka Flame

Not Available Interstitial

Jim Jones

Not Available Interstitial

Big Boi

Not Available Interstitial

Eminem

Not Available Interstitial

Latest in Music