Image via Complex Original
We’re more than half-way though the year but it’s beginning to dawn on us that 2011 might be the year best remembered for the explosion of new acts like Kreayshawn, Odd Future, and Lil B. Established veteran acts have dominated news cycles (cough Watch The Throne cough) but there’s no denying the young guns have proven you can build a strong following off word of mouth, social media, and Youtube.
We’ve always got our eyes and ears open for who’s next up to bring some flavor to the game. After combing the Internet (just like we did with producers) we put together 15 New Rappers To Look Out For (listed in alphabetical order). From impressively strong lyricists to those who know how to make the club rock, the next generation of rappers are eyeing their spots. Find out who will bring the noise.
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Written by Julian Pereira (@Broadway_Jay).
Ab-Soul
Twitter: @AbSoul
From: Los Angeles, CA
Pros: Conscious, thought-provoking lyrics
Cons: At times, preachy and boring
Odds of blowing up: 30:1
Complex says: Ab-Soul is the first rapper on our list representing an impressive crop of L.A. emcees that have come to prominence this year. A close collaborator of Kendrick Lamar (who’s already too established to make this list), Ab-Soul can hold his own with the most nimble lyricists in the game. He can rap over virtually any beat while also keeping his subject matter varied and interesting.
Action Bronson
Twitter: @ActionBronson
From: Queens, NY
Pros: Gritty New York lyrics
Cons: Sounds too much like Ghostface Killah
Odds of blowing up: 10:1
Complex says:Action Bronson’s making a name for himself amongst hip-hop heads in the know. His style will remind you of Ghostface Killah. Like many of the Queens rappers before him, he too has an ear for hot beats and witty wordplay. On songs like “Shiraz” and “Brunch” you can hear Bronsaliňo rapping charismatically about food, New York, and fast women. He may rap like Ghost but, when it comes to cooking, he’s more like Raekwon the Chef. Check Youtube to see how Action holds it down in the kitchen.
ASAP Rocky
Twitter: N/A
From: Harlem, NY
Pros: Defined sound, strong buzz, lots of swag
Cons: Doesn’t make songs longer than a couple minutes
Odds of blowing up: 2:3
Complex says: Harlem’s own ASAP Rocky spits with a relaxed confidence that has taken the Internet by storm in just a few months. With surprisingly polished lyrical delivery, excellent timing, and a flare for talking that talk, Rocky’s what you would get if you crossed Lil B with the Diplomats. Having a few bangers like “Wassup” and “Purple Swag” under his belt—as well as recent collaborations with Clams Casino—Rocky’s building the kind of fan-base that’s likely to explode upon discovery.
Boaz
Twitter: @Boaz412
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Pros: Grimy street storytelling
Cons: Lives in the shadow of Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller
Odds of blowing up: 20:1
Complex says: Wiz and Mac Miller keep us lifted, and fellow Pittsburgh rapper Boaz brings us back to earth with thought-provoking lyrics. He’s usually lyrical and deep, but he can also make songs like “Around the World” (with Mac Miller) that keep the fun going and the subject matter light. Give a listen to Boaz’s latest street-album The Transition, and follow along as he helps lead the burgeoning Pittsburgh rap scene.
Casey Veggies
Twitter: @CaseyVeggies
From: Inglewood, CA
Pros: Has a radio-ready rap style
Cons: Not lyrical enough for hip-hop heads or commercial enough for pop fans
Odds of blowing up: 20:1
Complex says: Casey Veggies is one of the leaders of the crop of young rappers coming straight out of Los Angeles. Listening to 18 year old rap, it’s safe to assume he was the big man on campus at his high school in Inglewood. In fact, his confidence and braggadocio are complimented so much by his introspection and mature sensibilities, it’s hard to believe he‘s too young to buy a drink at the bar.
Childish Gambino
Twitter: @DonaldGlover
From: Atlanta, GA/New York, NY
Pros: Can be both humorous and thoughtful, he’s already famous
Cons: Hard to take seriously, can be a cornball
Odds of blowing up: 5:1
Complex says: You might recognize Childish Gambino as the guy who plays Troy Barnes on NBC’s Community, or maybe just as Donald Glover the stand-up comedian. It turns out the guy is talented as a rapper as well. Evidenced on “Freaks and Geeks,” Gambino knows how to weave humor and witty metaphors into complicated rhyme schemes. To top it off, his flow can exploit the pocket of almost any beat. Gambino’s been sharpening his skills on the touring circuit as of late. Be sure to check for his upcoming album, Camp, dropping in September.
Danny Brown
Twitter: @XDannyXBrownX
From: Detroit, MI
Pros: Raps are hard and raw
Cons: Probably won’t conform for mainstream appeal
Odds of blowing up: 8:1
Complex says: The first thing you notice about Danny Brown is his hair but his hunger is a close second. Drawing on his surroundings, Brown unleashes tale after tale of cocaine bricks, bad bitches, and poverty. He’s at his best when his intense rhyme-style makes room for humorous lines and left-field pop culture references. Check out “Greatest Rapper Alive” for a glimpse of what’s to come from Detroit’s latest creation. Be sure to peep his new album, XXX, which he gave away for free.
Das Racist
Twitter: @dasracist
From: Brooklyn, NY
Pros: Funny like LMFAO, but they can actually rap
Cons: Will mainstream hip-hop get their offbeat hipster sensibility?
Odds of blowing up: 5:1
Complex says: Das Racist—made up of Heems, Kool A.D., and Dap—has been grinding its way to prominence since 2008. Now with a handful of bangers under its belt—including songs like “Who’s That? Brooown” and “hahahaha jk?”—people are finally starting to catch on. These guys have serious talent, but their mix of dance-ready beats and funny lyrics lets you know they’re all about having a good time. Be sure to check out their album Relax when it drops September 13.
Future
Twitter: @1Future
From: Atlanta, GA
Pros: Has two of the hottest songs of the year, Drake got on his remix
Cons: Only entertaining when rapping in faux Scarface voice
Odds of blowing up: 15:1
Complex says: We first noticed Future as the guy who carried most of the lyrical weight on YC’s “Racks” (it was kind of a light load, but still). However, when Drizzy Drake jumped on the remix of “Tony Montana,” it was obvious that Future was a problem. The Atlanta rapper spits vividly about what goes down in his town during the night hours, talking about everything from sipping purple to moving work to bagging broads. “Tony Montana” was hot in the streets and “Racks” was hot in the clubs, and that’s why Future had a solid buzz all year.
Hopsin
Twitter: @Hopsin
From: Los Angeles, CA
Pros: Pure rapper with excellent delivery
Cons: Too weird, relies on gimmick of dissing others, cross dresses as a white girl in music videos
Odds of blowing up: 25:1
Complex says: When Hopsin dropped the fourth installment in his “Ill Mind of Hopsin” series last month, he caught everyone’s attention by dissing Tyler, the Creator. The record had some impressive flows, which led us to do some well-deserved digging, and we were pleasantly surprised by Hopsin’s other material. His clever rhyme-schemes and strange antics come off surprisingly natural and endlessly entertaining.
Machine Gun Kelly
Twitter: @MachineGunKelly
From: Cleveland, OH
Pros: Raps with lots of energy, appeals to suburban kids
Cons: Looks like a Yelawolf clone
Odds of blowing up: 10:1
Complex says: Machine Gun Kelly opens your eyes to the struggle and grit of his beloved Cleveland streets. His talent is undeniable and it’s showcased by his distinctive rapid-fire rapping style. Kelly also has the song making abilities that prove he’s got what it takes to become a complete artist. That’s precisely why Diddy signed him to Bad Boy Records this year. We’re intrigued by his rawness and hope Diddy can polish up the edges.
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Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire
Twitter: @eXquomaniaRules
From: Brooklyn, NY
Pros: He raps like he’s from 1995
Cons: He raps like he’s from 1995
Odds of blowing up: 8:1
Complex says: Don’t get Brooklyn’s Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire confused as just another grimey New York rapper. He might have dropped out at 15, but in his own words “Still a nigga mad smart.” eXquire is foul, brash, and hard as nails, but add that to his intellect and you’ll find that he speaks from the unique perspective of the new breed of gangsta. eXquire ain’t for the squeamish and with songs like “Huzzah” and “Galactus” he’ll definitely convert some doubters into full-blown fanatics. Get familiar.
Stalley
Twitter: @Stalley
From: Cleveland, OH
Pros: He’s on Maybach Music Group
Cons: He could end up like Triple C’s
Odds of blowing up: 12:1
Complex says: Having now signed to Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group, Stalley’s going to have the opportunity to show the world what he’s made of. His often unorthodox delivery, conscious perspective, and intellect are perfect for the soulful beats he likes to rap over. Stalley makes the type of music you can cruise to, but with a lot more substance than most rappers offer. Check out “Babbling” for some of Stalley’s best, and keep your eyes open to see if this newcomer can put on for his city like Bone Thugs and Kid Cudi before him.
Trouble
Twitter: @TroubleDTE
From: Atlanta, GA
Pros: His rhymes are pithy and hardcore, he has lots of guns in his music video
Cons: Isn’t a particularly gifted rhymer, too gangsta for current era
Odds of blowing up: 30:1
Complex says: Not only is Trouble the most gangsta rapper on this list, he might be the most gangsta rapper on any list you see his name on. A few months after being released from prison, the Atlanta rapper caught our attention when he dropped “Bussin’.” Trouble takes a no-frills approach to rapping and doesn’t stray far from spitting about how things go down in the trap. He’s real, he’s hard, and he’s here to stay. Check out his mixtape December 17th which references the day he got out of jail in 2010.
V-Nasty
Twitter: @THArealVNASTY
From: Oakland, CA
Pros: Endlessly controversial, will get exposure thanks to Kreayshawn, at times fascinating to watch
Cons: She uses the N-word a lot, raps tend to be lazy freestyles, doesn’t have any real songs
Odds of blowing up: 1,000,000:1
Complex says: So far V-Nasty’s played the background to her White Girl Mob mate Kreayshawn, but she’s got a few freestyles and a slew of viral-videos we can’t stop watching. The most intriguing part of V-Nasty’s game is how effortlessly she puts words together. If she can focus her energy into serious song-making, her potential could turn to reality and she could even give Kreayshawn a run for her money as the face of White Girl Mob. She’s still highly controversial (and sometimes even annoying) but don’t front like you’ve haven’t had more conversations about her than any other rapper on this list.