20 New Rappers to Watch Out for in 2015

Image via Complex Original

From: Atlanta

Twitter: @1YUNGFRESH

Essential Listening: Life of a Hot Boy 2

Pros: He's already widely known and appreciated on a local level.

Cons: Does the game care about another spitter from ATL?

We told you to stop sleeping on him last year. Mike Will supports him. Drake is privy. Marilyn Manson reportedly goes way up to his music in Australia. He reunited the Hot Boys for a fire remix. Bankroll Fresh is the next streets-approved rapper to blow out of the A. As his fellow ATLien Future says, ain't no way around it. With his raspy voice and supreme ad-lib game and deceptively slick rhymes, he might be the heir to Young Jeezy; it's just a matter of time before he achieves lift-off. Will it be a Highly Coveted Drake stimulus remix that does it? Or another of Jeezy and T.I.'s tag-teams? It doesn't matter really. After grinding on the local level for years, a Bankroll single blowing up is inevitable. —Frazier Tharpe

From: Compton, Calif.

Twitter: @BoogieTheBeast

Essential Listening: The Reach

Pros: Already had a smash with “Oh My,” raps with real perspective, good ear for beats, signed to a major label.

Cons: Might have signed to a label too soon as he's still growing as an artist.

Along with Father, Boogie is one of the few people on this list who has made a legitimate Internet hit with his banger “Oh My.” While that song didn’t become a huge crossover smash, it did put Boogie on the map, bring some much-needed attention to his latest mixtape, The Reach, and probably had a lot to do with the fact Boogie just signed a deal with Interscope Records. Boogie went largely overlooked last year, but that’s too bad since his first mixtape, 2014’s Thirst 48, is just as good as his latest material. Both of those mixtapes showcased what makes Boogie so exciting: He’s a rapper with an ear for beats and a real perspective about life. Like his L.A. counterpart Vince Staples, Boogie is keenly aware of his surroundings and how kids these days have had their minds wrapped by social media. With his new deal in place, we’re looking for him to take things to the next level in the coming years. —Insanul Ahmed

From: Boston

Twitter: @CousinStizz

Essential Listening: Suffolk County

Pros: A steadily growing buzz and fanbase that includes Drake and OVO.

Cons: He may ultimately fall short of the expectations from such a co-sign.

Who knew such trill sounds could come out of Boston? Cousin Stizz has been bubbling, but things really took off after Drake and his OVO Music Hound Oliver played his beautifully simple, chill “Shoutout” (the hook: “shoutout to the money, love the drugs” A+) at Drake's Dave & Busters birthday bash. But an indirect co-sign means nothing if you don't capitalize on it. Stizz took his time as his buzz grew then kicked the summer off with a full-length project that we premiered, Suffolk County. And while he's putting on for his hometown, you would be forgiving for listening and assuming dude is from A-town. Considering ATL's dominance, maybe that's why the tape (album? whatever) is listenable with nary a skip. Slow, hazy melodies; production that's simultaneously good for kicking back and turning up; catchy flows and un-forced rhymes: Stizz has everything we want from the now. —FT

From: Hampton, Va.

Twitter: @ONLY1DRAM

Essential Listening: #1Epic EP

Pros: Undeniable voice that invokes old soul and R&B, extremely charismatic.

Cons: Isn't the strongest rapper, could struggle to find a hit as big as “Cha Cha.”

Lightning doesn’t usually strike twice, but the Tidewater region of Virginia has consistently brought some of the most dynamic artists in the game, from Pusha T to Pharrell. Chalk up another win for the area with the rise of Hampton, Va., native D.R.A.M. (which stands for “Does Real Ass Music”), a multi-talented rapper/singer who has already caught the ear of some of the most legendary artists in the game. Before his Super Mario Bros.-sampling hit single “Cha Cha” had Beyoncé dancing on Instagram, he was already taking meetings with Rick Rubin and creating a fanbase that far exceeded his humble beginnings in Virginia. His voice is reminiscent of a younger Bootsy Collins, invoking the vibes of old soul and disco with a modern twist. Later this year he’ll join Chance the Rapper on the Family Matters tour, a move that will spread his eclectic (and electric) personality worldwide. —Justin Davis

From: Brooklyn

Twitter: @DONMON1QUE

Essential Listening: “Pilates”

Pros: She has a good ear for beats, her delivery is oh so street, and she has bars for days.

Cons: She has to show some more versatility to really blow, but that should come with time.

DonMonique is what the game has been missing, especially NYC rap. She's a shorty who could talk that hood talk and hold her own on the mic. She hit us with clever drug-dealing anthem “Pilates” then followed that up with the Thirst Trap EP. Her cadence and subject matter remind me of a couple other Brooklyn MCs named Lil Kim and Foxy Brown. She's looking to heat up even more once the year is over. The beats she chooses are progressive street. The type of shit you can push a pack to while using the latest technology. The world needs more futuristic street raps, and DonMonique has a growing catalog of that shit. Play “Fifty Kay” and “Tha Low” when trapping in the Jetsons' neighborhood. —Angel Diaz

From: Atlanta

Twitter: @father

Essential Listening: Who’s Gonna Get Fucked First?

Pros: We haven’t seen a DIY crew this intriguing since Odd Future. But dead this comparison: Awful ≠ OF.

Cons: The minimalist approach in Father and Awful’s music, plus their eccentricities, could turn off lyrical purists.

In 2014, Father became the poster child of New Atlanta with “Look at Wrist.” The rapper’s popularity exploded around the same time as the song, all the while shifting the attention to Awful Records with him in the forefront. His music easily connects with a younger generation of rap fans—girls, drugs, and suicide parties aren’t out-of-the-ordinary topics for his new project, Who’s Gonna Get Fucked First? His swagger is also so real sometimes: “Awful in this bitch, can’t beat us, can’t join us/Dad in this bitch, so you nigga can’t son us,” he declares on standout “Back in the A Freestyle/On Me.” It’s not so much a declaration of independence, but a statement that once Father pops off; his crew is going to the top with him. Stay tuned. —Eric Diep

From: Toronto

Twitter: @JazzCartier

Essential Listening: Marauding in Paradise

Pros: He’s widely considered to be the next Toronto artist to blow after Drake and the Weeknd.

Cons: His music is all over the place—trap, personal stories, and everything in between.

While Drizzy and them OVO boys hail from Toronto’s uptown, Jazz Cartier hails from the downtown area that’s considered grittier and more underground. He’s been calling his music “cinematic trap”—a representation of T. Dot’s underbelly told through his emotions and frustrations. His name has been around as early as 2014; he didn’t just breakout of nowhere. You can thank his steady grind in releasing choice Internet loosies (“New City, New Legend,” “Switch”) for that. It’s all coming full circle with his mixtape debut, Marauding in Paradise, that’s getting praise for reinventing what a hip-hop song should sound like. While it’s easy to draw comparisons to what Travi$ Scott and A$AP Rocky are doing, Jazz Cartier has confidently carved his own lane. This is just the beginning. —ED

From: Little Rock, Ark.

Twitter: @KARIFAUX

Essential Listening: Laugh Now, Die Later EP

Pros: Very unique sound and presentation.

Cons: She needs to be more consistent.

Kari got next. Her songs are catchy, her Southern cadence is intoxicating, and she's also a dope producer. Her aesthetic is very Internet, too, so it makes sense that she's under the tutelage of Childish Gambino who might be the Internet Rapper poster child. Check out her very digital videos “On the Internet” and “No Small Talk” off last year's Laugh Now, Die Later EP for reference. Kari brings a lot to the table and sounds like she should've been a member of UGK in a past life. Along with some Texas influence in her sound her beats have some New Orleans bounce to them. —AD

From: Corpus Christi, Texas

Twitter: @kevinabstract

Essential Listening: MTV1987

Pros: His Brockhampton collective is stamped as the next group of young artists coming up, he’s relatively seasoned before even hitting his 20s, influenced by music outside hip-hop.

Cons: His style is often compared to Childish Gambino.

Kevin Abstract’s name wasn’t buzzing a few years ago. It was actually his crew, AliveSinceForever (now called Brockhampton), a mix of up-and-coming creative types ranging from graphic designers to rappers and producers. When its 30 members reduced to a manageable 18, Abstract became the star of their sonic movement, delivering with his self-titled EP that contained a healthy dose of braggadocio over synth-driven beats. Last year’s MTV1987, his album entirely done by in-house producer Romil, was an indie rap highlight because the concept was so ambitious: how living in the Internet age and creating a fake persona online has become a safe haven for him. Songs like “Save” and “Drugs”—two perfect examples of his style that varies from aggressive to hopeless—prove he can widen his audience just by being himself. —ED

From: Raleigh, N.C.

Twitter: @KingMez

Essential Listening: Long Live the King

Pros: Proved he can produce a cohesive project independently with 2014’s Long Live the King and is co-signed by Dr. Dre.

Cons: His next project has to be super dope or he’ll become the next Hittman.

It’s not clear why an artist from Raleigh, N.C., was recruited by Dr. Dre to help construct an album made as an ode to Compton. What is clear is that Dre thought enough of the 25-year-old to let him be a part of his third and final album. His verse is the first you hear on one the year’s most high-profile releases. He holds his own on tracks featuring Kendrick Lamar who himself was rapping as if he didn’t already release what many consider the best rap album of 2015. He wrote verses for Dre that make you forget Dre’s a 50-year-old billionaire whose last album came out before iTunes was a thing.

Before he lent his talents to Compton, King Mez was quietly and steadily putting in work. He collaborated with other N.C. notables like 9th Wonder and Rapsody, opened for J. Cole, and dropped increasingly strong mixtapes culminating with 2014’s Long Live the King. Each project showed him firming his understanding of his craft. It’s not unreasonable to believe that trend will continue, especially when he says things like “[Dre] made me change my perspective on what I can create.” His efforts on Compton won’t guarantee him success—he could very well be the next Hittman. But if you still don’t think he’s a rapper worth watching, consider this: He didn’t have a Wikipedia page until Aug. 9. Others are already taking notice. As should you. —Damien Scott

From: Houston

Twitter: @MAXOKREAM

Essential Listening: Maxo 187

Pros: Very strong rapper, good song writer, authentic Houston cadence and flow.

Cons: Music may be too gritty, he doesn't have a “hit.”

The Texas rap scene has undergone a small resurgence lately, and most of that is thanks to Houston rapper Maxo Kream. His aggressive and haunting Maxo 187 mixtape came out of nowhere earlier this year, giving the world a cohesive project that not only defined the new Houston, but also gave new fans something to sink their teeth into. Maxo’s rapping skills bring an authentic voice back to a city that has had its sound diluted by out-of-towners. His stories of gangbanging and the gritty street life are riddled all over his music, bringing us all back to the reality that H-Town isn’t all about lean, women, and cars. The sky is the limit for Maxo, and hopefully he can spearhead the return of Houston’s musical prominence. —JD

From: Vallejo, Calif.

Twitter: @THErealNEF

Essential Listening: “Big Tymin'”

Pros: Nef is the logical next phase of the swag rap renaissance.

Cons: Nef just got YG and Ty Dolla $ign on the “Big Tymin'” remix, but he needs a major co-sign beyond Cali.

In the spring, Vallejo, Calif., rapper Nef the Pharoah dropped “Big Tymin',” effectively a Cash Money tribute song way more clever and catchy than other Cash Money tribute songs (2Chainz's “Used 2,” Drake's “Practice”) made by rappers who've actually worked with Weezy. Since 2013, Nef's published several music videos to YouTube; some of them are beatjacks of generally popular '00s songs (“Rock the Boat,” “Oochie Wally”), but many others (“M.A.C.,” for instance) are canny synthesis of Nef's Dirty South influences and his hometown, hyphy style. Sounds like a recipe for hit records. —Justin Charity

From: Chicago

Twitter: @NonameGypsy

Essential Listening: “Dizzy”

Pros: Noname's flow is damn near flawless. She's a poet.

Cons: She has a bunch of features and a couple songs, but we need more heat like a tape or something.

We need more female MCs to blow, and Noname Gypsy is on her way. You may have heard her on tracks with Mick Jenkins and Chance the Rapper. The Chicago lyricist's bars are abstract and insightful as she touches on real-life topics such as relationships like in last year's “Baby.” If she keeps making great hip-hop with her fellow Windy City natives, she'll be fine. We need a tape from her ASAP, though. She's too nice to not have a project out yet. —AD

From: Dallas

Twitter: @PostMalone

Essential Listening: “White Iverson”

Pros: Has two bangers that have been in rotation since spring.

Cons: He might just be a derivative two-hit wonder.

It's true, his two bangers seem like derivative, blatant attempts to reverse-engineer today's current rap into a ready-made hit. At least, that argument can be made. He's also, uh, not the best, during live performances. But facts are facts: “Too Young” and especially “White Iverson” are simply undeniable. The dreamy, laid-back production and Post's off-key crooning make for two of the best tracks of the summer—Jay Z-approved, even. It's easy to hate on Post: He's a white guy with fuzzy braids and a grill who seemingly came out of thin air. But, he keeps dropping heat. And he performed “White Iverson” at Kylie Jenner's birthday. He may end up a two-hit 2015 wonder, but it also wouldn't be a shock if Malone goes to the pros soon. —FT

From: Toronto

Twitter: @ramriddlz

Essential Listening: “Sweeterman”

Pros: Strong cadences and catchy songs gives him the potential to blow up quickly.

Cons: Might be too weird for some people.

Young Canadian singer and rapper RamRiddlz is the latest artist to feel the power of a Drake co-sign, but even without the OVO approval, Riddlz is an intriguing talent to watch. His most notable song, “Sweeterman,” which is also the one Drake decided to remix, already blew up on YouTube months before Drizzy debuted his version on OVO Sound Radio in early July. Sure, the possibility of a Drake co-sign opened eyes to Riddlz in the first place, but from there he and his team took advantage of the opportunity and ran with it.

Riddlz, who is still very much a raw talent, released his debut project, P2P EP, a full 10 days before Drake made his co-sign official. The smooth cadences and unique subject matter hold together throughout the entire project, with each song on the EP accumulating at least 40,000 plays on his SoundCloud since the release. Aside from his catchy tunes, the mystery surrounding Riddlz and his crew makes him all that more intriguing. He tweets things like “Captain Underpants,” and though that's rather weird, it honestly just makes the entire thing that more interesting. What do you have next, RamRiddlz? We're watching. —Zach Frydenlund

From: Los Angeles

Twitter: @rjmrla

Essential Listening: O.M.M.I.O. 2

Pros: Has DJ Mustard in his corner, strong songwriter.

Cons: Isn't particularly original, needs a breakout song.

RJ isn’t nearly as fresh-faced as some of the other people on this list. He’s been kicking around for a few years now, starting with his 2013 mixtape, O.M.M.I.O. But he’s ramped up his output this year by releasing two mixtapes, Rich Off Mackin with Choice and O.M.M.I.O. 2, and appearing on 10 Summers: The Mixtape Vol. 1. With all the work he’s already put in, he’s got a handful of songs on YouTube closing in on a million plays yet no national profile to show for it. We expect that to change soon. The most important thing RJ has going for him is that he’s DJ Mustard’s artist and having a great producer in your corner goes a long way—just ask YG or even the boys of Rae Sremmurd. But unlike YG, who leaves a lot to be desired as a straight up spitter, RJ is crafty and fluid on the mic. —IA

From: Chicago

Twitter: @sabaPIVOT

Essential Listening: ComfortZone

Pros: He's linked to all the right, like-minded rappers in Chicago.

Cons: His production sensibilities are shaky and sometimes dated.

Youthfulness is essential to Saba's appeal. On the strength of his energetic, cartoonish dynamism, he's made some of my favorite mixtape material of the past year or so; go listen to “Burnout,” “401K,” and “United Center” to feel me on this one. Saba's put in work for a few years now, having featured on fellow Chicago native Chance the Rapper's Acid Rap in 2013 and then dropped his own impressive mixtape, ComfortZone, last summer. In 2015 so far, Saba's biggest move was his feature (“SmthnthtIwnt”) on Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment's epic Surf, with hopefully more to come in the way of solo material between now and December. He dropped a new single featuring Tink a few weeks ago. We'll see. —JC

From: Chicago

Twitter: @towkio

Essential Listening: .Wav Theory

Pros: He's got Chance the Rapper guiding his moves.

Cons: His style often veers far away from “rap” per se.

The Save Money crew and all its affiliates—Vic Mensa, Chance the Rapper, etc.—are Chicago's anti-drill arbiters, bending and blending rap's contemporary sounds (and the genre in general) with funk and soul, and Towkio just might be the most experimental. His most recent project, .Wav Theory, is all over the place sonically, in the best way. One song is heavy electronic, another alternative, and by project's end you have the warm soul of the breakthrough track “Heaven Only Knows.” Towkio makes all the elements come together to sound unified. As his buzz grows, his crossover appeal will likely put him on the same popularity plane as Chance sooner than later. —FT

From: Los Angeles

Twitter: @WeLoveUWilson

Essential Listening: 93 EP

Pros: Charismatic, natural flow, still very young.

Cons: Has to establish himself amongst a ton of West Coast talent, has no major co-signs.

Between this list and last year’s version, there were a total of four L.A. rappers; Boogie, Cozz, RJ, and Wil$on. Of those four, both Cozz and RJ have major co-signs (J. Cole and DJ Mustard, respectively) while Boogie just signed to Interscope. Meanwhile, 2015 saw Vince Staples establish himself as the voice of a new generation of L.A. rappers, Earl Sweatshirt keep making compelling albeit challenging music, and Kendrick Lamar cement his status as the Best Rapper Alive. Needless to say, there is a lot of talent in L.A. right now. That doesn’t mean Wil$on can’t establish himself, it just means it won’t be easy. What Wil$on does have going for him, however, are three things that are obvious after watching the video for “93” just once: a natural charisma, a perfectly in-pocket flow, and the inklings of a real aesthetic. Sadly, his music is still being ignored as none of his songs have even scored 10,000 views on SoundCloud or YouTube. And yet, the talent is here. The question remains if he’ll make the right song to get people’s attention. —IA

From: Chicago

Twitter: @Zonaman72

Essential Listening: No Advanced

Pros: Very talented and is in a style of hip-hop that is near its peak right now.

Cons: Potential to be looked at as just another trap or drill rapper out of Chicago.

With the ability to adequately mix and balance trap and drill styles together, Freeband Gang's Zona Man is set up for plenty of success going forward. Not to mention, he's affiliated with Future, which is never a bad thing based on the run he's been on over the past year. Zona Man is indeed still a fresh talent on the scene, but he's already shown flashes that indicate he has what it takes to possibly separate himself from the crowded trap scene and shift over to the mainstream.

His No Advanced project is an essential listening for fans, and one of the better overall projects of the summer. With standout songs like “Mean to Me” with Future and Lil Durk, and “New Wave” over crazy Metro Boomin production, Zona Man showcases his versatility while staying focused on his street-driven lyrics. Nothing is guaranteed in 2015—and especially in hip-hop—but Zona Man is setting himself up for success, and that deserves your attention. —ZF