1. DijahSB
Toronto rapper DijahSB is just as witty on the mic as they are on social media. DijahSB was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize in 2021 with Head Above the Waters, and just dropped a new EP with Tasty Raps 2. They'll just as easily drop a feel-good song of the summer, or get reflective and strike a chord with the listener on a more serious track. They provide an honest reflection of the ups and downs of living in Toronto, rather than the stylized point of view.
2. Snotty Nose Rez Kids
The Haisla duo is one of the most decorated rap groups in the country, with four Polaris Music Prize shortlist nominations, a Juno nomination, and more. With each album, Young D and Yung Trybez have continued their world building, culminating with the direct and sweet I’m Good, HBU? in late 2022. They’re not only the faces of the continually expanding Indigenous hip-hop movement, they’re also the current leaders for the West Coast. The Snotty Nose Rez Kids have embraced the responsibility, as the pair keep topping themselves with every release and tour.
3. Nicholas Craven
A go-to producer for the likes of Griselda and Mach-Hommy, Craven has created a movement in his adopted hometown of Montreal. Rappers and fellow producers in his city have jumped on Craven’s “beatless” crate digging sound, and the momentum only appears to be building. As Craven’s reputation grows down South, more and more young Montreal artists are coming up with him as a primary influence. Sometimes artists get a taste of US success and dip: right now, Craven is guiding Montreal towards a rap renaissance.
4. NorthSideBenji
While most rappers from this side of the Atlantic look to the States to make career moves, Toronto's NorthSideBenji has proven himself adept anywhere he lands, especially the UK. Across an ocean, he teamed up with Unknown T on the UK drill anthem “One in the Chamber,” and the sound fit him like a glove. So much so that 2023’s Prophecy found him back in England for the time stamp track “5 AM in London.” No matter where NorthSideBenji heads next, it’s unlikely that he’ll seem out of place.
5. Charmaine
The Toronto rapper might've pulled off what some considered an upset by winning the inaugural Juno Award for Rap Single of the Year in 2022, but the "Bold" artist seems destined to rack up more accolades in the future. She's still hitting hard with singles, including "Hood Rat Shit" earlier this summer and a key music placement in upcoming comedy series Bria Mack Gets A Life. It's been a long road from Zimbabwe to Canada for the talented MC, who's just getting started.
6. jev.
The self-described loner from Ottawa has amassed a huge following on streaming services as an independent artist, and there’s no surprise why: he's got a strong sense of personal style and taste. That vision reflects his upbringing, where he moved around, and also the albums he picked up along the way. "Where's the Confetti?" brought his name to prominence in the social media space, and jev. has since capitalized on the success of 2022's The Color Grey with more singles in 2023.
7. myst milano.
Originally from Edmonton and now in Toronto, myst milano. brings experience DJing from the ballroom scene to hip-hop, and that's not the only genre hopping we see from the artist and producer. Debut album Shapeshyfter was longlisted for the 2022 Polaris Music Prize, while long awaited follow-up Beyond the Uncanny Valley is finally here, an expansive effort that pays homage to everything from Chicago footwork to Southern hip-hop, all through milano.'s unique lens.
8. AR Paisley
Indo-Canadian, Mississauga rapper AR Paisley honed his craft in battle rapping, was a close collaborator with the late Sidhu Moose Wala, and effortlessly showed he can flip Cam'ron and Juelz Santana’s iconic “Hey Ma" into something that's his, so if that doesn't point to a multi-faceted artist, then nothing does. Canada is producing so many world-class South Asian artists these days, and AR Paisley is a major part of this exciting movement.
9. Night Lovell
Often the lone or one of the few Canadian representatives at various Rolling Louds across the world this year, rapper and producer Night Lovell did Canadians proud by bringing a raucous live show that speaks to audiences no matter the area code. Night Lovell's dark, brooding style, shared with contemporaries in the US and beyond, seems to have no use for borders, as the artist can hop on a tour with $not or fly solo with ease. He's got multiple tracks on streaming with 100,000,000+ plays to prove his impressive reach.
10. Bambii
The Toronto DJ and producer isn’t necessarily an obvious fit with hip-hop, as her music touches upon multiple genres. But anyone who breaks down walls and brings people together, like she does with cult dance party Jerk, understands what a movement is truly about. New album Infinity Club is a celebration of all she's brought to the Toronto music scene already, and also a major move forward as an artist.
