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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.
- MF Doom. 516 votes. A master of intricate rhyme schemes and intricate storytelling, MF Doom is known for his enigmatic persona and often wears a signature metal-mask on stage.
- Big L. 493 votes. The late Big L was a Harlem-based rapper known for his fierce wordplay and intricate lyricism. He gained fame in the early '90s during the golden age of hip-hop through his association with D.I.T.C.
- Immortal Technique. 426 votes. With razor-sharp political commentary, controversial opinions, and thought-provoking lyrics, Peruvian-American rapper Immortal Technique has been challenging the status quo ever since entering the underground hip-hop scene in the early 2000s.
- Jedi Mind Tricks. 239 votes. Jedi Mind Tricks have carved their niche with thought-provoking lyrics and an innovative sound that combines hardcore beats with raw, emotional storytelling.
- 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.
- 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...
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- Third Root – Passion Of The Poets. Third Root is a trio that consists of Charles Peters (Easy Lee), Marco Cervantes (Mexican StepGrandfather), and DJ Chicken George (DJCG).
- One Be Lo - Baby (Being A Black Youth) BABY (Being a Black Youth) is One Be Lo’s best project since his magnum opus S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. (2005). One Be Lo has always been a fan of acronyms, evident here not just in the album’s title but in the tracklist as well: all song titles are composed of the four letters in BABY too.
- Jamo Gang - Walking With Lions. Jamo Gang consists of LA legend Ras Kass, NYC veteran emcee El Gant, and J57 on production. The album features DJ Premier, Slug from Atmosphere, Sid Wilson from Slipknot, Sick Jacken from Psycho Realm & Slaine from La Coka Nostra.
- Eastern Sunz - Fuel For A Fool’s Errand. Eastern Sunz is a duo from Portland, Oregon consisting of Courage and Travis T. On Fuel For A Fool’s Errand, Eastern Sunz comes with a potent blend of live instrumentation and traditional feeling boom-bap, with funky drums, jazzy basslines, and even some fresh guitar and piano work combined with well-dosed old school turntablism and sampling.
Jan 4, 2023 · Unearth the dynamism of the East Coast's underground rap scene. Dive into our comprehensive rundown of the best underground East Coast rappers redefining the genre. A look at the best, most underrated east coast rappers who are worth your time and attention.
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.
