1.
Every place has its own unique taste, and we wanted to figure out how that manifested from city to city. So with some help from Spotify, we found the most uniquely popular rap songs in cities across the nation—and this time, we included a few international destinations, too. Here's how the data was pulled, per Spotify:
First we determine the most distinctly popular songs in each city as compared to the listening habits of the rest of the world (in this case, global superstars would be weeded out of the mix as they're popular everywhere).
Then, within the 100 most distinctly popular songs we look for the top hip-hop/rap track within each city. The results were totally unpredictable and surprising.
We were expecting to uncover a bunch of regional hits, but what we got was something else. In some cities, it's a rising local artist getting spins. In others, it's a random classic from decades ago. Read on to see what your city is listening to, and follow P&P on Spotify to see the list updated.
See our April 2016 edition of this feature here.
2. San Francisco
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 74,253
Artist hometown: Oakland, CA
Mistah F.A.B., the Bay Area rapper and central figure in the area's hyphy movement since the early 2000s, has been quiet since his last solo album, 2012’s Da Yellow Bus Rydah. But that changed this summer with Son of a Pimp Part 2, and he’s got San Francisco’s attention. They're showing love for standout track “Up Until Then,” an encouraging ode to all the hard workers making their way to the top.
3. Chicago
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 235,262
Artist hometown: Chicago, IL
It seems like an increasing number of hip-hop up-and-comers call Chicago home. West Side native Lud Foe is the latest to make waves in the Windy City rap scene with “Cuttin’ Up,” a classic rap brag that pays homage to his "out West" heritage. The rapper's booming energy and aggressive rhyming in the song earned him a co-sign from Lil Durk, who later remixed the track.
4. Philadelphia
Year released: 2015
Total Spotify streams: 382,841
Artist hometown: Philadelphia, PA
PnB Rock isn't Philly’s best-kept-secret anymore. With the release of his three RNB mixtapes, the 23-year-old rapper has been growing a steady following outside his native state, racking up collabs with Fetty Wap, 21 Savage, and Rich The Kid.
PnB Rock signed with Atlantic Records last year, and released his latest single with the label, “Selfish,” this month. Still, 2015’s hard-hitting “Feelin Like Diddy” is the clear favorite in the rapper’s hometown.
5. Boston
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 12,239,642
Artist hometown: Chicago, IL
Chance The Rapper may be Chicago’s hometown hero, but that doesn’t stop Boston listeners from playing his Coloring Book hit “No Problem” on repeat. It’s hard to blame them, though: the bouncy track is a feel-good anthem worthy of looped play, featuring stellar verses from Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz.
6. L.A.
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 173,848
Artist hometown: Miami, FL
Wize, a member of upcoming Miami-based rap collective Dusa Gang, isn’t quiet about his support of the 305—he’s even got an entire song about it. With “#14,” the artist pays tribute to Miami Heat player and slam dunk legend Gerald Green. The team may not have made it to the playoffs, but the track’s still racking up plays from fans all the way over in Los Angeles, who are apparently short on Lakers anthems this year.
7. New York
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 1,537,158
Artist hometown: Brooklyn, NY
New Yorkers are showing support for one of their own: Joey Bada$$, the Brooklyn local who exploded onto the rap scene with his 2012 mixtape 1999 and has been on a steady rise since.
His latest, “Devastated”—which debuted at Coachella this year—shows an artist who is just the opposite. In it, the Pro Era emcee proclaims he’s no longer “devastated,” instead on his “way to greatness.” The single rides on the heels of the rapper's 2016 singles “Ready” and the Biggie Smalls tribute “Brooklyn’s Own.”
8. Atlanta
Year released: 2014
Total Spotify streams: N/A
Artist hometown: Atlanta, GA
Local legend YFN Lucci is asking the tough questions on "I Wonder Why." "I wonder why the sun don't shine every day?" he starts—the beat kicks in shortly afterwards and Lucci is off, riding it like a pro. The song was first released all the way back in 2014, but it's experiencing a renaissance in Lucci's hometown Atlanta. That twinkly, addictive Rico Beats production is a big reason why.
9. Dallas
Year released: 2015
Total Spotify streams: 81,246
Artist hometown: Dallas, TX
It’s been a long time coming for Dallas rapper MO3. He's been grinding since releasing Up Risin’ way back in 2008, and he's been having a moment since “Hold Ya Tongue" hit the internet in 2015.
Dallas fans won’t have to wait another seven years for new jams—the rapper returned in April with Shottaz Reloaded, which surrounds the single with 21 new tracks.
10. Austin
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 204,585
Artist hometown: Chicago, IL
Chicago emcee M.T.G. bears a moniker that stands for Moving Towards Greatness. Thanks to the laid-back, R&B-tinged groove of “Do You,” the rapper is on his way—at least among Austin fans. The steamy, sultry jam means exactly what you think it does.
11. Houston
Year released: 2015
Total Spotify streams: 805,217
Artist hometown: Houston, TX
Hey X.O., can we get a ride? The Texas artist “just pulled off the lot” with the top down (“because it’s hot”) in this 2015 single, which still has Houston fans back home hitting replay. The track’s melodic rhymes and trickling piano keys have the feel of a tripped-out nursery rhyme, in the best way possible. It’s not surprising that Houston listeners are showing their support—the track also features Rizzo and SosaMann, two other artists who call the city home.
12. Seattle
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 52,028
Artist hometown: Detroit, MI
Sick Bird has been making music for a minute—he has six studio albums to his name, and looks to The Beastie Boys and Jedi Mind Tricks for inspiration. "Special Delivery" is off his 2016 album Endangered Species, and was produced by Chopack Beats.
13. Miami
Year released: 2015
Total Spotify streams: 5,022,312
Artist hometown: Pompano Beach, FL
Kodak Black has had a rocky start to his stardom—the people love his music, but he keeps getting into legal trouble.
It doesn't matter around his hometown, though. They're still bumping "No Flockin" in Miami. The minimal, sinister beat leaves plenty of room for Kodak's hungry voice, and he kills the performance.
14. Memphis
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 274,765
Artist hometown: Memphis, TN
There's never a dull moment when it comes to Blac Youngsta, the Memphis rapper known for remorselessly flashing his bling, flaunting stacks of cash on Instagram, and running into trouble with police earlier this year after withdrawing $200,000 cash at a Wells Fargo.
It's no surprise, then, that "Shake Sum" is equally unapologetic and entertaining—hoarse, mumbled punchlines and all. The track comes off Young & Reckless, the follow-up to 2015's single "Heavy," which put Blac Youngsta on the map.
15. Milwaukee
Year released: 2015
Total Spotify streams: 27,859
Artist hometown: Milwaukee
Munch Lauren seems to have Milwaukee on lock. Every time we update this feature, another one of his songs has captured the Milwaukee imagination. But "Big Money," off Munch's 2015 tape Project X, might be the best yet. The beat is solid, but it's Munch's cool confidence that elevates this to a real party track.
16. New Orleans
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 173,848
Artist hometown: Miami, FL
It's not just Los Angeles that's loving Wize's Gerald Green tribute—New Orleans is feeling "#14" too.
17. St. Louis
Year released: 2015
Total Spotify streams: 136,893
Artist hometown: St. Louis, MO
This song has legs—"Jayson Tatum," a tribute to the St. Louis high school basketball star who's headed to Duke next year, was the song St. Louis was banging back when we did this list in February. It's still going.
18. Portland
Year released: 1993
Total Spotify streams: 1,624,693
Artist hometown: San Francisco, CA
This 1993 classic from Andre Nickatina is popping once again in Portland—"Smoke Dope And Rap" is off Nickatina's The New Jim Jones album, though he was known as Dre Dog back then. You might recognize that riff—the classic sample is taken from Southside Movement's 1973 song "I've Been Watching You."
19. Denver
Year released: 2013
Total Spotify streams: N/A
Artist hometown: Kansas City, MO
Denver residents can't get enough of Tech N9ne's ode to their state. "Colorado" was first released in 2013 as a bonus track on Something Else, and the hook is an ode to the state's legalization: "Toke, toke, toke, toke, you know it's that fire, I can't get no higher."
20. Detroit
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 76,956
Artist hometown: Detroit, MI
Detroit's BandGang is emerging from a tough 2015 with a renewed focus on music. Lonnie Bands is leading the way with his Antisocial album, which was released last March. "Whatever I Say" is the bonus track, but it certainly doesn't feel that way—especially in Detroit, where they can't get enough of the slapping cut.
21. Washington D.C.
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 7,521,011
Artist hometown: Washington, D.C.
Wale surged back on to pop radio with this Michael Jackson flip, and no one's appreciating it more than his hometown. "My PYT" benefits from some bouncy Dope Boyz production and a timely release—it's a summer anthem released just in time for beach season.
22. Barcelona
Year released: 2014
Total Spotify streams: 534,361
Artist hometown: Valencia, Spain
Rap rock is alive and well in Barcelona, where ZOO is lighting up Spotify with their 2014 release "Corbelles." The instrumentation is really more ska than anything else, but their Catalan rhymes are real enough.
23. Anchorage
Year released: 2012
Total Spotify streams: 183,127
Artist hometown: Beaumont, TX
Who knew? The Set Boys are a rap trio from just outside Houston, and they talk that talk—"Get Loose" sounds like a Texas classic, from the drums to the horns to the twangy delivery. But they can't get enough of the song in Alaska, even though it's four years old. There's probably a shortage of Alaskan rappers, but still—we can't help but wonder how The Set Boys found a fan base way up there.
24. Toronto
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 95,412
Artist hometown: Toronto, ON
Whenever we update this feature, there's one song we've never heard that jumps out of the speakers. This time around, it's Toronto's favorite track—"Picasso Leaning" goes for the throat with a simple, addictive sample that grabs you from the jump.
Tasha The Amazon takes over from there, alternating between hushed tones and cutting boasts. "Blowing O's in the Poconos," she raps, "Smoke signals for my tribe." She's been killing it in Toronto, and this could well take her to the next level. It's a fun, catchy addition to her discography and a worthy addition to this list.
25. Nashville
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 52,028
Artist hometown: Detroit, MI
This Detroit transplant has lived in California since he was a teenager, and his nasally flow has found fans in Nashville. Chopack Beats provides the electric piano and bass-heavy drums, and Sick Bird takes care of the rest. "Special Delivery" appears on his Endangered Species album, and elsewhere on this list.
26. Baltimore
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 13,108
Artist hometown: Baltimore, MD
He already has a mixtape with Lor Scoota (R.I.P.) under his belt, and now YBS Skola is gaining steam in his hometown with his solo material. "Purple Haze" has a hook that sticks, a raw, booming beat, and that indefinable feeling that only a fresh, new sound can attain.
The song is off his No Pen, Just Paper album. Baltimore rap has a lot of young talent rising, and here's another name to add to the list. Keep an eye out for YBS Skola.
27. Paris
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 906,103
Artist hometown: Marseille, France
The current dancehall craze has stretched across the Atlantic and taken Paris—Alonzo is a household name for French rap fans, and his latest album Avenue de St. Antoine incorporates a number of modern influences, from the heavily Auto-Tuned "Regarde moi" to the tropical rhythms of "Binta."
28. Budapest
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: N/A
Artist hometown: Pécs, Hungary
Hallot Pénz translates loosely to "Dead Money," and the group has been an active part of Hungary's music scene since 2004. Their most recent release came out this year, and "Elkezdeni Elölről" is the album's closer. It's not often you see a last track become a hit, but Hallot Pénz has Hungary on lock—they've won Rap Album of the Year for two years straight at the Hungarian Grammy Awards.
29. Richmond, VA
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 2,189,644
Artist hometown: Atlanta, GA
21 Savage has had an incredible 2016, and it's thanks in part to "Red Opps," the Sonny Digital-produced track that helped generate buzz around the Atlanta rapper. The gravelly delivery and violent lyricism on display are an essential part of his first full-length album Slaughter King, released last month. But the people of Richmond are still rocking with "Red Opps," and 21 Savage is gracing magazine covers.
30. London
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 430,914
Artist hometown: London, England
Dave is still a teenager, but he's already making serious noise in 2016. It doesn't hurt when you pair up with another buzzing young rapper—AJ Tracey is a P&P favorite, and he's in top form on "Thiago Silva."
The ode to footballer Silva is a tough tune from the start: Dave and Tracey trade bars at lightning speed, handing off the mic after eight or four bars instead of the traditional verse structure, backed by an ominous electronic sample. Two more reasons to pay attention to English music in 2016.
31. Berlin
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 581,551
Artist hometown: Berlin, Germany
Kontra K has become a bit of a hometown hero since the release of his Labyrinth album last month, having spun influence from Nas and The Notorious B.I.G. into a very successful career. "Hoffnung" is the latest evidence—it's a massive, brooding track that puts Kontra's raspy tenor right in the spotlight, backed by some tear-jerking strings and heavy percussion. The Germans are into it.
32. Florence
Year released: 2016
Total Spotify streams: 1,090,034
Artist hometown: Olbia, Sardinia, Italy
Salmo makes hits. With a deep voice and a dark message, the Italian rapper/producer has found enough international success to warrant four albums thus far. His most recent, Hellvisback, dropped last February and is still in Florence's rotation. If you're feeling "L'alba," try his equally dope "1984."
33. Athens
Year released: 2014
Total Spotify streams: 32,197
Artist hometown: Alexandroupoli, Greece
Stavento has been around since 2004—the hip-hop group has seen a number of members added and subtracted from their ranks in that time, but they've also left their stamp on Greek rap culture with a blend of hip-hop, R&B, and dance music. Their latest album, Once Upon A Time, was released in 2013. They followed it up with this dance-heavy cut the following year, and Athens is still loving it.
34. The Playlist
