25 New Rappers to Watch Out For

Here are a few of the most promising new faces in hip-hop, including Travis Scott, Isaiah Rashad, Kevin Gates, Migos, Rich Homie Quan, Tory Lanez, & more.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Every year, a new wave of artists wash up in our Twitter mentions, flood our email inboxes, and strike it lucky on YouTube.

The measurement of what a "new" artist is, in the age of "FIRST!" has gotten a lot more confusing, of course. By the stringent standards of the internet, yesterday's hype happened literally yesterday—no one is truly ever "new." Never mind becoming a household name—if an artist has an interview up somewhere, he's become "overhyped." 

With that said, some artists might have made a little noise on the blogs, or gained some regional traction over the last few years, but the way we see it, they're still on the ascent. Similarly, some artists may not have much any attention whatsoever—but given the right look, they could end up becoming stars. 

We scrounged the web looking for hip-hop's most promising future headliners, club floor fillers, auteur weirdos—and a couple who might be all of the above. Here are 25 New Rappers to Watch Out For.

Written by Jacob Moore (@PigsandPlans), David Drake (@somanyshrimp), Insanul Ahmed (@incilin), Craig Jenkins (@CraigSJ), Alexander Gleckman (@andfeedingyou) and Max Goldberg (@goopygold)

 

100s

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 20
Hometown: Berkeley, CA
Active Since: 2012
Label: Fool's Gold
Twitter Handle: @IHate100s 

Essential Listening: Ice Cold Perm
Pros: He's a character, and he's got Fool's Gold behind him.
Cons: His music sounds more like the past than the future.

Ever since Bay Area rapper 100s was a kid, he's been fascinated by pimp culture. That's pretty obvious when you listen to his debut mixtape, Ice Cold Perm. Brimming with relentless slick-talking and smooth, funky, throwback style, its the kind of music that you probably couldn't make unless you've been into it since your early days.

But in 2013, Snoop Dogg—er, Snoop Lion—is making reggae, and that West Coast player music seems all but dead. But before you count him out, realize this: 100s is now with Fool's Gold, the label that helped catapult Danny Brown into the spotlight, and Fool's Gold mastermind A-Trak has plenty of confidence that there is a place in the rap world for a character like 100s: "Here at Fool's Gold, I've seen Kid Cudi and Danny Brown go from underground misfits to true cult leaders," A-Trak explained in a press release about 100s' signing, "and trust me, 100s is next up." —Jacob Moore

3D Na'Tee

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 25
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Active Since: 2005
Label: N/A
Twitter Handle: @3DNATEE 

Essential Listening: The Coronation
Pros: Downright impressive mic skills and a deep Rolodex of collaborators.
Cons: She's been a hit away from a breakthrough for a couple years now.

Louisiana's 3D Na'Tee caught a major career windfall when the video for her 2011 song "Switch", a winding story song where she spit nimbly over classic Timbaland productions, switching flows whenever the beat changed, came to the attention of the man (Timbaland) himself. A deal between the two was discussed but never finalized, but Na'Tee took it in stride and hunkered down, continuing to hone her craft, direct videos, and run her clothing label Business Minded Bosses. Rap's major labels are now handing out deals to women for the first time in what feels like forever in the wake of Nicki Minaj's breakthrough, and Na'Tee's monster flow is bound to lead to a breakthrough. —Craig Jenkins

A$AP Nast

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 23
Hometown: Harlem, NY
Active Since: 2011
Label: A$AP Worldwide
Twitter Handle: @ASVPNVST 

Essential Listening: Lords Never Worry 
Pros: He's in the A$AP Mob so he'll get attention regardless.
Cons: He has to establish himself outside of Rocky's shadow and Ferg's growing appeal.

A$AP Rocky is a star and with the release of Trap Lord looming, A$AP Ferg has got next. Where does that leave A$AP Nast? Is a decent place, actually. If Ferg can become a legit star, the A$AP brand will only grow stronger which paves the way for Nast to get on. He had his shot on A$AP Mob's Lords Never Worry tape, but only appeared on four songs. That said, "Black Mane" was one of the few highlights on a largely underwhelming release.

Nast can still distinguish himself because he's nowhere nearly as jiggy as Rocky and isn't as influenced by the "trap" as Ferg—he's just a straight up brash shit talker and there's always room in rap for one of those. As evidenced by his most recent outing, "Trillmatic" (peep below), if he errs on the side of being rooted in mid '90s East Coast rap, he can offer the A$AP sound stripped of its Southern influence. —Insanul Ahmed

Bodega Bamz

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 28
Hometown: Harlem, NY
Active Since: 2012
Label: N/A
Twitter Handle: @BodegaBAMZ 

Essential Listening: Strictly 4 My P.A.P.I.Z.
Pros: A$AP Mob affiliation and a great ear for beats.
Cons: Lack of a serviceable single is cooling his buzz.

There's a strong decades-long tradition of Harlem rap, but you never hear anything about MCs from Washington Heights, the neighborhood to the north of the Diplomats' stomping grounds. A$AP Mob affiliate Bodega Bamz and his Tanboys clique are looking to change that. The Puerto Rican and Dominican rapper is a pioneer of what he calls "Latin trap," which usually sees Bamz skating over lumbering, glacial 808s with a sedate but never sloppy flow, as he does on "Summer in El-Barrio" and "Say Amen" off his 2012 mixtape Strictly 4 My P.A.P.I.Z. Bamz' star is on the rise, and the increasing popularity of his friends might get him places in the months to come. —Craig Jenkins

Dillon Cooper

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 20

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Active Since: 2013

Label: N/A

Twitter Handle: @TheDillonCooper 

Essential Listening: Cozmik

Pros: Talented, charismatic, and makes a type of '90s throwback hip-hop that is regaining popularity.

Cons: Is there room for another Joey Bada$$? 


When an MC offers their take on a classic record, the result is often underwhelming. That's why Dillon Cooper's excellent "Ms. Jackson" cover is a testament to how special the young Brooklyn MC really is. The song is just one of the standouts on his new mixtape, Cozmik. His flow, beat choice, and content place him clearly in the new neo-90s rap style that his fellow Brooklynite Joey Bada$$ rode to success last year. The rapper has an innate charisma, as seen in his "State of Elevation" video. While the Joey Bada$$ link has been made by many, and has the dangerous possibility of pigeonholing the rapper, it also speaks to how strong of an impression the young MC has already made. Considering how competitive this lane is right now, it says a lot that he's managed to stand out so suddenly. —Max Goldberg

Doe B

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 22
Hometown: Montgomery, AL
Active Since: 2012
Label: Grand Hustle/CBM/Interscope
Twitter Handle: @CBMDOEB 

Essential Listening: Baby Jesus
Pros: Has proven his ability to make a true banger.
Cons: Will he connect with an audience beyond his singles?

The most notable eye patch in hip-hop history undoubtedly belongs to Slick Rick, but Montgomery, Alabama upstart Doe B is aiming for second place. Doe B's eye patch is the result of a gunshot to the eye, which the rapper credits with making him get serious about his craft. Doe says he's been rapping since age eight, but it wasn't until August of last year that his career began to take off with the release of the trunk rattling, threat-laced regional smash "Let Me Find Out." The song, and Doe's career, got an even bigger boost when T.I. and Juicy J added some serious star power to the remix. On July 4th, Doe B dropped his mixtape Baby Jesus, further cementing his status as one of the south's hottest up and comers. —Max Goldberg

Fat Trel

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 23
Hometown: Washington D.C.
Active Since: 2010
Label: MMG/Roc Nation
Twitter Handle: @FATTREL 

Essential Listening: No Secrets 
Pros: Maybach Music Group could take him to the next level.
Cons: Trel has been making the industry rounds for a couple of years; does MMG have the same muscle it did two years ago?

While the DMV area is known as a basketball breeding ground, the region is more and more becoming home to a sizeable rap scene. The most recent success story was Wale, and it seems like his former Board of Administration comrade and new MMG label mate Fat Trel could be up next. Trel's energy-packed rhymes paint pictures of life on the streets of DC, both through classic d-boy bars as well as more drawn out story telling. His recent signing with Maybach Music Group could boost his career, and cement DC as a player in the hip-hop game. While MMG has seen MCs shoved to the back row (we see you Pill), a stellar verse on the upcoming Self Made Vol. 3, in the vein of Gunplay on "Power Circle," could help Fat Trel blow up sooner than you think. —Max Goldberg

Ibn Inglor

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 20
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Active Since: 2012
Label: N/A
Twitter Handle: @IbnInglor 

Essential Listening: GawdsSpeed
Pros: Ambitious, stands out from his Chicago peers.
Cons: Maybe too ambitious without enough support.

When you listen to 20-year-old Chicago rapper Ibn Inglor's "Track 2," you might assume he's ripping off Kanye West. He's got the dark, dramatic production, the God and fashion references, the odd song structure, a "send it up" line, even the screaming at the end. While many of Chicago's up-and-comers aspire to be like Kanye, few can pull off a sound so intense, ambitious, and visceral. To Ibn Inglor, it seems to come naturally.

Ibn (pronounced "ibbin") Inglor grew up on Chicago's South Side, a place he loves, but he admits that his peers consider him different for his tastes, from his style of dress to his choices in music. He listens to Kanye, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, and Tyler, The Creator, but he's also into James Blake, London Grammar, and PYRRAMIDS. He may not fit in nicely with the rest of the new rappers coming out of Chicago right now, but that's exactly why he stands out. Oh, and for those thinking Ibn Inglor's "Track 2" is a Kanye West rip-off, keep this in mind: it dropped in March, months before Yeezus. —Jacob Moore

Isaiah Rashad

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 21
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Active Since: 2012
Label: Tog Dawg Entertainment
Twitter Handle: @isaiahrashad 

Essential Listening: Welcome To The Game
Pros: Possible TDE affiliation.
Cons: No hits and minimal buzz to his name.

While it hasn't been officially confirmed, there has been speculation that Chattanooga, Tennessee rapper Isaiah Rashad is the newest member of Top Dawg Entertainment. If it's true, he's joining one of the strongest teams in hip-hop right now and will be rapping alongside Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and Ab-Soul. One listen to any of the 15 songs he has up on Soundcloud and it makes sense. Without coming close to anything that would be labeled "conscious" rap, Rashad spits thoughtfully, intelligently, and with precision, morphing his delivery to fit different production styles and making each line count. He's already got a handful of solid songs to his name, but some Black Hippy support would undoubtedly bring him a new level of fame. He's been quiet for the past months, so it's a pretty safe bet that he's planning something. —Jacob Moore

Kevin Gates

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 27
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Active Since: 2007
Label: Bread Winners Association/Atlantic Records
Twitter Handle: @Kevin_Gates 

Essential Listening: The Luca Brasi Story
Pros: Has the management, the connections, the pedigree, and the ear for hooks.
Cons: His style is an aquired taste, and compelling street narratives aren't exactly at a commercial peak in 2013.

Blending an undeniable melodic sense and weaving subtle street narratives, Kevin Gates crafts convincing "songs for the ladies" that seem as well-considered as his tracks targeting gangster rap aficionados. The rapper has been recording since the late 2000s, when fellow Baton Rouge resident Lil Boosie was reaching his popular peak. In fact, the first time listeners outside of Louisiana heard of him was "Get in the Way," a single that featured Boosie, the region's now-incarcerated superstar. Both rappers went to jail soon after; Boosie remains incarcerated. But when Gates emerged in 2011, he hit the studio, and his buzz has slowly grown ever since. His initial impact attracted the attention of Lil Wayne, and Cash Money soon jumped in to manage the rapper. His buzz didn't garner much media attention, though, until spring 2013, when he stole the show on Pusha T's "Trust You" and immediately followed it up with the impressive The Luca Brasi Story mixtape. He's already released an album-before-the-album Stranger Than Fiction since that time, and seems poised for bigger things. —David Drake

Lightshow

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 21
Hometown: Washington D.C.
Active Since: 2011
Label: 86America Music
Twitter Handle: @Lightshow10thPL 

Essential Listening: Get Well Soon
Pros: A good relationship with Wale could help him blow up.
Cons: Still has a pretty low profile.

For many people, the first they heard of DC rapper Lightshow was his excellent verse on Wale's "Georgetown Press." As far as introductions go, this was a pretty good one. The verse not only showed off his lyricism, as he deftly weaves Georgetown basketball references into his story of wanting to make it out of DC, but also his most striking feature, his voice. Lightshow's voice packs a palpable controlled chaos that makes everything he says sound urgent, similar to Wale's label mate Meek Mill. For those who've heard Lightshow's mixtape Get Well Soon, they've heard that he's as comfortable on soul beats like "Georgetown Press" (and his other song with Wale "Nervous,") as he is on harder hitting beats like "I Promise" or Chief Keef's "Cash." If he continues to find strong production, he could easily make truly attention grabbing music. —Max Goldberg

Lil Herb & Lil Bibby

Not Available Interstitial

Age: Lil Herb - 17, Lil Bibby - 18
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Active Since: 2012
Label: N/A
Twitter Handle: @LilHerbie_Ebk, @lilbibby_ 

Essential Listening: Heir Apparents
Pros: Tough, catchy songs.
Cons: They rap about little else outside of the drill canon.

An easy (though perhaps reductive) way to think about Herb and Bibby is as a more rapping-rap drill duo. They employ the same imagery as their Chicago street contemporaries, but they turn up the lyrical pace just a notch, with more of an east coast influence than their peers. They pass verses back and forth on the track and perform quite comfortably as a pair. Though they have been publicly co-signed by the likes of Drake and Interscope honcho Joey I.E., their music has yet to be neatly packaged (aside from the "best of" compilation Heir Apparents), which might be holding back their crossover. Still, their city very much wants them to win (just ask Chance The Rapper), and theirs will be a formidable force if their output continues. —Alexander Gleckman

Lucki Eck$

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 17
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Active Since: 2013
Label: N/A
Twitter Handle: @LuckiECKS197 

Essential Listening: Alternative Trap
Pros: Wordplay, interesting production choices.
Cons: People might have a hard time knowing what the hell he's talking about.

Chicago keeps surprising people. Lucki makes music in the respective wakes of Keef and Chance, but wants to sound like neither. He doesn't want to be "another Chicago rapper," but he definitely carries with him the influence of his city. This might not come through directly in his music, perhaps because his sound is more a response to the state of rap than the next logical step from his predecessors. His mixtape, Alternative Trap, is full of some very different beats, a few of which get by (and benefit from) having no drums at all. He weaves in enough wordplay ("I want to play with that cash like it's clay, Ali,") to lose you every few bars, but the best way to enjoy his songs is probably to catch what you can instead of actively paying close attention to each bar. The kid just turned 17 recently, but seems to already have a calculated intent when it comes to how he wants to present himself. His city's buzz machine is already crowding around him, and it looks like he has his sights set for big moves in the near future. Look out for Luck. —Alexander Gleckman

Migos

Not Available Interstitial

Age: Quavo - 22, Takeoff - 19, Offset - 22
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Active Since: 2012
Label: N/A
Twitter Handle: @MigosATL 

Essential Listening: Y.R.N. (Young Rich Niggas)
Pros: They have hooks, a major cosign, and a unique style.
Cons: Their appeal is fairly one dimensional.

Now that Drake has jumped on the "Versace" remix, a lot of attention has been directed in the Migos' direction. But the trio (currently a duo—free Offset!) deserve more than a quick look, because Y.R.N. (Young Rich Niggas) is a consistent tape. The Migos' have arrived during an era when rappers seem to go out of their way to appear insoucient and laid back, pulling against the beat's precise rhythms like laffy taffy. Migos, in contrast, have quick, ADD-addled double-time flows.

They aren't lyrical miracles, per se, although due to cultural signifying and trap-oriented subject matter they will probably be underrated in this department. But they do use rapid-fire precision to create a kind of incessent, unforgettable affect that sets them apart. And most importantly, they've got hooks. If all you've heard is "Versace," go back to the queasy ren faire ambiance of "Bando," or check out the hammering mantra "Hannah Montana," or the deft tag-team "Chinatown." It's one trick, but it's well-executed, and a refreshing variation on a familiar formula. —David Drake

Problem

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 27
Hometown: Compton, CA
Active Since: 2006
Label: Diamond Lane Music Group
Twitter Handle: @ItsaPROBLEM 

Essential Listening: The Separation  
Pros: Industry connections, years of experience.
Cons: He's been around for a few years and still hasn't taken off.

27-year-old Los Angeles rapper Problem could probably make a career out of being a background figure. He dabbled the business side of things when he started a label with his cousin in 2008, made powerful connections in the music world by writing for Snoop Dogg, and by 2009 he got an inside look at the industry when he signed a two-single major label deal with Universal. These days, he's less concerned with making singles. He's confident in his team, focused on putting in work (he's released six mixtapes in the past two years), and although he's practically a rap veteran, this is the time to be looking out for Problem. He's got wisdom that only comes with experience, and now that the pressure's off, things are falling into place. "Like Whaaat" wasn't even meant to be a single, but it ended up on the radio, stacked millions of views on YouTube, and is his biggest hit yet. —Jacob Moore

Rich Homie Quan

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 23
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Active Since: 2012
Label: T.I.G. Entertainment
Twitter Handle: @RichHomieQuan 

Essential Listening: Still Goin In (Reloaded)  
Pros: Growing popularity in one of the country's most lucrative rap scenes and a single that's starting to pop nationally.
Cons: His vocal style reminds a lot of people of Future.

After a year-long stay in county jail on a burglary charge inspired a lifestyle overhaul, Georgia MC Rich Homie Quan decided to try his hand at rap, dropping comfortably into the same new weird Atlanta scene that spawned Future, Ca$h Out, and Young Thug. Quan's approach is similar to that of his contemporaries: on releases like this year's Still Goin' In (Reloaded), he employs a flow pairing flashy displays of wealth (best displayed over snarky lines like "That car I'm driving make you feel some type of way" off his breakout single "Type of Way") with emotive singing that adds character to his matter-of-fact lyricism. But Quan's more than just another goon rapper. His subject matter can cut left at any time, like it does on "Hurt No More," a deep cut that's every bit as somber and reflective as the lead single is triumphant. —Craig Jenkins

Sage the Gemini

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 21
Hometown: Fairfield, CA
Active Since: 2013
Label: Tripple Vision / EMPIRE
Twitter Handle: @SageTheGemini 

Essential Listening: Gas Pedal - The EP  
Pros: Has found success making strip club jams.
Cons: Once is lightning in a bottle, twice is luck—third time is a charm.

The Bay Area has always featured a sort of insular hip-hop culture, where MCs could get a lot of success inside the region with out having much outside of it. While Sage the Gemini fits that description, he is also poised to break out of it. Sage recently found real commercial success with his Gas Pedal EP, which charted on Billboards Top 75 R&B/Hip-Hop albums, and his singles "Gas Pedal" and "Red Nose" which broke the top 50 on iTunes. Gemini is an undeniable ladies man (you can check the thirst that populates his Youtube/Instagram comments if you need proof) as his smooth raps over self-produced strip club-ready beats skillfully attest. Sage makes a type of music that is immensely popular, so watch for him to have the next song that kills at clubs. —Max Goldberg

Tory Lanez

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 21
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Active Since: 2009
Label: Time Is Money Ent.
Twitter Handle: @Tlanez 

Essential Listening: Sincerely Tory
Pros: A smooth sound, deft rap style, and ear for hooks.
Cons: His particular lane is pretty competitive at the moment.

Between the reign of Drake and a crack-smoking mayor, Toronto has made the news quite a few times this year. Could Tory Lanez be next? The Canadian wunderkind has a smooth sound that fits in with hip-hop's current obsession with all things OVO, a deft rap style honed over years (freestyle battles dating back to his early teens are available on YouTube), and an ear for hooks. Plus he has a strong singing voice, and all the industry connections one could ask for. His catalog thus far has been a little all-over-the-place, but his recent material is starting to show signs that the crooning rapper could end up in a much more visible spot in the coming year. —David Drake

Travi$ Scott

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 21
Hometown: Houston, TX
Active Since: 2009
Label: Grand Hustle/Epic
Twitter Handle: @trvisXX 

Essential Listening: Owl Pharaoh 
Pros: He's managed to network his way to some of the biggest names in hip-hop.
Cons: He's more of a curator than an original.

Further proof of the old adage about everything being bigger in Texas, Travis $cott has turned a knack for making synthesizers, church bells and, most distinctly, air-horns, sound like something the size of a Tsunami rolling in off the Gulf Coast and flattening everything in its path on the way to the Astrodome into a spot in two of the top camps in rap today. Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music and T.I.'s Grand Hustle—an enviable position in the today's rap game. —Dave Bry

Two-9

Not Available Interstitial

Age: Key! - 22, Curtis Williams - 22, Johnny (Jesus Munchies) - 23, DavE - 24, Ceej - 23, Jace - 24, DJ Osh Kosh - 22
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Active Since: 2009
Label: N/A
Twitter Handle: @Two9 

Essential Listening: A Two9 Christmas  
Pros: Have the talent and potential to make many different types of music. 
Cons: Lack the one superstar that has pushed groups like A$AP Mob or Odd Future to the forefront. 

Atlanta rap crew Two9's dynamic is definitely similar to recently successful groups like Odd Future or A$AP Mob. The 9 person crew consists of multiple groups, two bonafide solo acts, and a creatively inclined designer/stylist. While the make up of the group might be familiar, the music certainly isn't. Different members of Two9 make music that's wonderfully removed from one another. Retro Su$hi!, made up of members Ceej and Jace, boasts a more throwback classically southern sound while FatKidsBrotha credits their inspirations as old west coast and backpack rap. And when the group works together with headman Curtis Williams, they produce another style entirely. The group's excellent A Two9 Christmas, with its high-powered collaborations (Ludacris, Mike Will Made It), has them poised to be the next big thing out of Atlanta. —Max Goldberg

Vic Mensa

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 19
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Active Since: 2009
Label: N/A
Twitter Handle: @VicMensa 

Essential Listening: Straight Up  
Pros: The increased attention paid to Chicago rap this year.
Cons: Chicago has a surplus of talent—and competition.

If you spent any time with Chance the Rapper's excellent Acid Rap this year you probably noticed the arresting guest verse on "Cocoa Butter Kisses." It came from Chicago rapper Vic Mensa, who damn near stole the song out from under Chance and midwest motormouth Twista. Vic's a member of Chicago's Save Money rap crew, and had been the leader of the Chitown hip-hop band Kids These Days, until the group's dissolution earlier this spring. The band's break-up hasn't proven to be much of a setback. Vic has hit the ground running, showing off his fleet, melodic flow over a series of loosies in the lead up to the release of his upcoming INNANETAPE. Vic Mensa seems poised to follow Chance's lead in illuminating the pensive, lyrical side of Chicago rap. —Craig Jenkins

Vince Staples

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 20
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Active Since: 2011
Label: N/A
Twitter Handle: @vincestaples 

Essential Listening: Stolen Youth
Pros: Smart, complex lyricism.
Cons: His music might feel too dark and cold for certain listeners.

You may have first heard Vince's voice on the song "epaR," from Earl Sweatshirt's Earl mixtape. He's interesting to have on an Earl track, specifically, because they both come through with such a lyrical bent that distinguishing between them can sometimes be a subtle endeavor. Vince, though, has actually put out much more music than Earl, and has created his own lane, tackled new subjects, and curated a signature style. He tends toward the more traditional method of working with a single producer for an entire project (e.g. Winter In Prague with Michael Uzowuru and Stolen Youth with Mac Miller), which bodes well for his ability to put out cohesive work in the general future.

Vince's music is quite cold, and rarely does he give you a glimpse of anything that isn't, so in that way, he may never reach the fun-craving masses. The California rapper makes clever, high-concept, lyrically complex records that will continue to appeal to...people who enjoy clever, high-concept, lyrically complex records. —Alexander Gleckman

Young Scooter

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 27
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Active Since: 2009
Label: Black Migo Gang/FreeBandz/1017 Brick Squad
Twitter Handle: @1YOUNGSCOOTER 

Essential ListeningStreet Lottery
Pros: Profitable Gucci and Future connections.
Cons: Currently in jail due to a parole violation.

Young Scooter is a rising star on the Atlanta street rap circuit, thanks to the work he's done with Future and Gucci Mane. The latter tapped Scooter for the follow-up to the collaborative Free Bricks mixtape, which put Future on a lot of people's radars two years ago. Scooter's lavish kingpin rap scored him a minor hit last year in "Colombia," which matched Future's "Tony Montana" both for grandiose coke dealer bravado and anthemic simplicity. Scooter's debut album Jugg House is just on the horizon, and Gucci Mane says he'll appear alongside Brick Squad associates Chief Keef, Young Thug, and, somehow, Waka Flocka Flame on the upcoming Brick Squad compilation album Big Money Talk. —Craig Jenkins

Young Thug

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 21
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Active Since: 2010
Label: 1017 Brick Squad
Twitter Handle: @YoungThugWorld 

Essential Listening1017 Thug
Pros: Can make incredibly weird-sounding songs that are also somehow very catchy.
Cons: Can lapse into making average, uninteresting music.

According to Gucci Mane, he was so struck by Atlanta's Young Thug that he tracked down and recruited the younger rapper to his 1017 Brick Squad label personally. It's easy to see what was so attractive to Gucci: Young Thug has an unbridled sense of energy and originality.

This distinctive characteristic is most evident in Thug's voice, which routinely transitions between a Danny Brown-esque squawk and a more 1017-appropriate southern drawl. Sonically, he is the loud clapping lighting to Gucci's rolling thunder. While Thug's pleasing weirdness was present on his I Came From Nothing mixtapes (particularly Vol. 2), it has become more fully formed on his recent 1017 Thug tape, especially on standouts like "Picachu" and "2 Cups Stuffed." There is an obviously unique creativity and sonic skill, but he hasn't had The Song yet. Once that happens, though, watch out. —Max Goldberg

ZMoney

Not Available Interstitial

Age: 20

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Active Since: 2012

Label: N/A

Twitter Handle: @ZMoneyWorld 

Essential Listening: Rich B4 Rap

Pros: Incredibly catchy hooks, a strong personality, and funny lyrics.

Cons: It's pretty unclear exactly how industry-friendly he is at this point.


In 2012, ZMoney had a YouTube presence, and that was about it. Even then, only connoisseurs of West Side Chicago street rap were really familiar with the teenaged MC. Going into the new year, he received a couple of high-profile cosigns: Cinematographer DGainz (who shot Chief Keef's "I Don't Like" vid, among others) shot a new video for his buzzing single "Want My Money." And Chance the Rapper, in the run-up to Acid Rap, dropped a trailer for his new tape that was soundtracked by the same song. Hip-hop fans in Chicago were anticipating the rapper's new material, and when a pair of tapes dropped on the same day toward the end of June, it seemed ZMoney had delivered on his promise—and then some.

The rapper has mystique; he hasn't been interviewed, and a mysterious band-aid on his forehead (Fashion accoutrement? Pimple? Third eye?) kept people guessing. His verses are defiantly mush-mouthed. He reflects the sounds of Gucci Mane (especially on "Regular,") Chief Keef, and fellow West Side artists like M.I.C. (on "Yo Bitch Callin"), but easily adapts them to his own singular personality. His verses are often packed with low-brow humor. On "Regular" he claims to be pumping 93 octane gas while his rhetorical target pumps—yep—regular. On "Get Off My Dick," he drawls: "No disrespect but I'ma rob you." But the humor is easily balanced by how convincing his performance is; if you didn't think he really would rob you, if given the opportunity, the line wouldn't have the same panache. —David Drake

Latest in Music