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- So, who are the best underground rappers? When you think of underground hip hop artists, some of the big names (at least by underground rap standards) are Big L, Aesop Rock, Dead Prez, Madlib, El-P, Atmosphere and Blackalicious. These are some of the most respected names in rap music.
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- Kota The Friend. If you only walk away with one new artist after reading my top ten, please let it be Kota. He’s the people’s champ, a true underdog that has decided to do things his way on the indie route.
- Ronsocold. Ronsocold is from Charlotte, North Carolina but is quickly getting his sound heard across the country thanks to his debut self-titled album, RonSoCold, which dropped earlier this year on May 15th.
- 2KBaby. 2KBaby is an emerging Louisville, Kentucky artist that is signed to Warner Music Group. He dropped his most recent project, Pregame Rituals, on April 10th and as the title suggests, he is just getting started!
- Curtis Roach. Although he’s been making great music for a few years now, it was on TikTok that this 21-year-old Detroit artist received his big moment earlier this year.
Mar 1, 2024 · So, who are the best underground rappers? When you think of underground hip hop artists, some of the big names (at least by underground rap standards) are Big L, Aesop Rock, Dead Prez, Madlib, El-P, Atmosphere and Blackalicious. These are some of the most respected names in rap music.
- MF Doom. 8,613 votes. Beginning his career under the moniker Zev Love X, MF Doom is known for his meticulously crafted lyrics, eclectic beats, and iconic mask inspired by comic book villain Doctor Doom.
- Mos Def. 4,668 votes. Better known today as Yasiin Bey, Mos Def garnered critical acclaim in the late 90s for his deft lyricism, intelligent social commentary, and charismatic stage presence.
- Big L. 5,670 votes. Hailing from Harlem, Big L was a skilled wordsmith known for his witty punchlines and intricate rhyme patterns. Tragically murdered in 1999, Big L's legacy lives on through his two albums – Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous and posthumous release The Big Picture.
- Immortal Technique. 7,765 votes. Peruvian-born rapper Immortal Technique has built a reputation for his fiercely political lyricism, focusing on issues such as class struggle, poverty, and corruption.
Mar 22, 2024 · From legends like MF DOOM, Mos Def, and Aesop Rock, to lyrical beasts like Kool Keith, El-P, and Roc Marciano, these cats are changin’ the game, keepin’ hip hop real. So let’s dive into who our fans ranked as the best underground rappers ever. 1. MF DOOM.
- Ransom
- Evidence
- Westside Gunn
- Rome Streetz
- Roc Marciano
- Eto
- Ka
- Your Old Droog
- Earl Sweatshirt
- MF Doom
First up is Jersey City artist, Ransom. His rhymes are symbolic of his life story: equal parts harsh and inspiring. He doesn’t shy away from the truth, no matter how gritty and raw. A lot of rappers tell gritty stories through their rhymes, but Ransom never skimps on the wisdom drawn from those stories. He truly embodies the come-up on all levels. ...
Maybe you’ve heard of a group called Dilated Peoples? If not, you’ve got a homework assignment. Whether it’s Dilated Peoples, Step Brothers, or his solo work, Evidence is a hip hop legend. His production sound is distinct and crisp. His lyrical prowess is undeniable and timeless. Somehow he has managed to walk the line between catchy and raw while ...
Ayo Ayo! Arguably the king of ad libs, WSG is the next legend on the list. Along with Benny the Butcher and Conway the Machine, he is a founding member of the Griselda collective. They were like a three man Wu-Tang Clan before actively pursuing their solo careers. A truly unstoppable cultural force. Westside and Griselda gained enormous popularity ...
A relatively new artist on this list is the lyrically potent, Rome Streetz. Since 2016, he has been releasing non-stop powerhouse projects. Splitting his teen years between the UK and New York helped him create a uniquely accessible flow and cadence. His time in the UK was during the inception and explosion of Grime music which helped him stand out...
One of the many lions in the underground jungle is Roc Marci. He got his start back in 2000 with Busta Rhymes’ collective, Flipmode Squad, and has been tearing up the underground scene ever since. His albums are majestic works of art. His rhymes are unparalleled, his beats are incomparable, and his connections run deep. There is no shortage of amaz...
A trailblazer in the “New Crack Era” of hip hop, Eto will blow your mind with his production and pen game. When I want to hear some incredible multi-syllable rhymes over ominous beats I bump his catalog. You can always tell how deep into the scene an artist is by how many collaborative projects and features they have under their belt. Eto has a baf...
Get ready to feel, and feel deeply. Ka is a poet in every sense of the word. Many of his songs feel like spoken-word as opposed to the “spitting” you expect from an underground hip hop legend. Somehow though, it still feels like hip hop in a very refreshing way. “Conscious rap” gets a bad name because of preachy artists. Ka proves that you don’t ha...
One of the all time greats of storytelling and cultural commentary is YOD. It’s impressive enough to keep up with everything that happens in hip hop and its surrounding culture. To extract meaning or wisdom and spit it back out in rhyme form is the stuff of legends. Droog has touched on topics ranging from the lunch with Jay-Z or $50k debate, to Bi...
With abstract themes and abnormal rhyme patterns, Earl Sweatshirt is as unique as they come. His rhymes will make your mind spin and your ears smoke. His flow is normally on the fast side, but it leaves some breathing room for his extravagant ideas and concepts. Experimental hip hop doesn’t always align with insightful hip hop, but Earl collides it...
This wouldn’t be a proper best underground rappers list without the late great, DOOM. Seen by many as the one and only king of underground hip hop, MF DOOM was an innovative artist that created elaborate sonic narratives that are nearly impossible to recreate. The beauty of DOOM was that he created incredibly complex art but made it seem natural an...
Dec 19, 2023 · In this article, we’ll look at the 31 best underground rappers of all time. 1. MF DOOM. Rapp Snitch Knishes (feat. Mr. Fantastik) MF DOOM is a name you should know in the hip hop world, and it’s a bit of a shame he remained an underground artist for his entire career.
Jun 7, 2023 · 1. MF Doom. Lauded in the underground circle after underground circle, MF Doom has a small coterie of obsessives who compulsively follow his musical moves. He is as close a thing to a kingpin as the scene has, and you know a dyed-in-the-wool hip-hop lover when they list off MF Doom as a favorite.
