50 Best New Chicago Rappers/Artists
UPDATE: We also have a new list of 100 Chicago Artists Worth Checking Out right here.
Chicago is full of talented artists pumping out some of the world’s best music on a daily basis. The music scene is one of the best in the country and its impact has been clear with the rise of artists such as Chance the Rapper, Chief Keef, Mick Jenkins, Famous Dex, Vic Mensa and many others. While these artists have shown what Chicago is capable of, they are only the tip of the iceberg of excellence Chicago holds. The city has literally hundreds of artists making quality music daily and the next wave out of Chicago is sure to solidify the Windy City as a hub for new hip hop talent. With the amount of great music to be found, it was hard to boil down this list to only 50 names and there’s many more artists also deserving of attention, but I had to stop somewhere. There will also be another list featuring some of the best groups/duos in the future.
Did I miss someone? Comment at the bottom to let me know!
This list is in no particular order.
SABA
Part of the Pivot Gang team, Saba has been making some of the city’s best music over the past few years. His introspective style and personal lyrics help provide a clearer picture of Chicago and projects such as Bucket List have solidified Saba as a staple on the scene.
RAVYN LENAE
Ravyn Lenae is one of those artists that only needs a few notes to make listeners fall in love. Her unique voice and excellent production choices make for some of the most ear catching music being released today and her affinity for musical growth is sure to bring even more incredible music.
JOEY PURP
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When it comes to pure rapping ability, Joey Purp is one of the best in the game. His unique fusion of fun and conscious has helped him cultivate a fanbase that is aware but not preachy and knows how to have a good time. Part of the Save Money team, Purp has shows he can rap with the best of them and often times come out on top.
SUPA BWE
Developing a loyal following can be difficult but Supa Bwe is near cult status these days. His years of hard work are paying off in big ways and his live shows are can’t miss events full of energy. It’s almost impossible to mention Chicago hip hop without Supa’s name being thrown into the mix.
LUCKI
While he’s switched up his style throughout the years, Lucki is always one of the most consistent artists in the game. Every project he drops is sure to be some heat and he’s proven his sound can reach a broad audience. He also doesn’t get enough credit for being a catalyst for this new wave of rappers who have taken some serious influence from Lucki.
DALLY AUSTON
If you’re looking for some easy listening, Dally Auston is the artist for you. His laid back style combined with introspective content makes for some relaxing, thought provoking music that is steady and consistent. Auston’s focus on quality is second to none and every track he’s dropped has been up to par. Auston is also a part of the Save Money team.
UG VAVY
UG Vavy may be a relatively new name to some people, but he’s definitely one of Chicago’s brightest up and coming artists. His versatile talents include rapping, producing, and singing hooks which all come together like different colors in a painting to create one cohesive piece of art. Uptempo beats, catchy hooks, and witty lyrics are all setting Vavy apart from the crowd.
VIA ROSA
Chicago has many people who know how to sing but Via Rosa has been taking things to the next level. Her ambient style sounds like rain pattering against a windshield on a dreary yet comfortable day and her voice is as soothing as it gets. She often works with THEMpeople and is also part of the group DRAMA.
TAYLOR BENNETT
Sometimes it feels like positivity is churning through Taylor Bennett’s veins. His upbeat music has been making waves in Chicago, culminating in sold out shows and lively performances. That’s not to say he’s a one dimensional artist. He also gets introspective and personal at times with tracks such as Feel (Remix).
WARHOLSS
Chicago always puts out some hyped up, bumping music, but WARHOL.SS finds himself in a rare class with the consistent quality he drops. The young MC has developed his own sound and has managed to set himself apart from the pack with big hits including tracks with UnoTheActivist and Trippie Redd. If you’re looking for something to turn up to, WARHOL.SS is about as good as it gets.
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JOSEPH CHILLIAMS
Some of the wittiest, most intelligent hip hop being released today is thanks to Joseph Chilliams. Every word he spits feels deliberate and will get you thinking about the message he’s trying to deliver. He often uses humor side by side with socially aware content, creating a unique juxtaposition that helps his ideas hit home in a way they wouldn’t otherwise.
JEAN DEAUX
Genre bending music is the name of the game for Jean Deaux. Her use of hip hop and electronic sounds creates robust music that is hard not to pay attention to. Coming from a more poetic background, Deaux is also a talented songwriter who knows how to convey her emotions authentically.
KWEKU COLLINS
One of our favorite artists for the past few years, Kweku Collins has shown an immense amount of progression. His fusion of hip hop, reggae, and pop makes for some of the most refreshing music to be found anywhere today and he seems to level up his sound with every project he drops. Catchy melodies and tranquil production can often be found on Kweku’s music, making for a relaxing experience.
XAVIER & THE THRILL
One of the most consistently dope artists in Chicago has been Xavier & The Thrill. His gruff, blizzardy voice is extremely recognizable and he makes his presence felt on any track he’s on. The densely produced sound he has also translates well to live performances where Xavier has shown he can command a stage.
RIC WILSON
If you’re looking for something different, Ric Wilson is the artist for you. His artistic, eclectic style manifests itself in his wildly creative music where Wilson puts his positivity on display. Upbeat and energetic sounds are easy to find on just about any Ric Wilson song.
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drea the vibe dealer
Just remember all lower case when you spell the woman name. drea the vibe dealer has been creating jazzy, atmospheric music for some time now and her unique sound has kept me coming back time and time again just to see the innovation.
LUNXCH
An overlooked aspect of being an artist is having a defined, consistent aesthetic surrounding the music. LUNXCH, fka Sage, the 64th Wonder, realized this and has cultivated a distinct anime inspired image to go along with his dusty, boom bap sound. This combination, along with his consistent communication with fans, has led to LUNXCH developing a loyal fanbase that has allowed him to tour around the Midwest.
TOWKIO
One of the most prominent members of Save Money, Towkio knows how to create a diverse array of music ranging from fun and upbeat to touching and socially aware. The talented artist seems to get better and better with every project he drops and his ability to balance social commentary with easy going tracks has created a refreshing dynamic.
MAX WONDERS
Max Wonders is one of Chicago’s hidden gems. The young MC has been putting out memorable music for the past few years and creates a unique, catchy sound often with a message that takes listeners back to their childhood days. His musical ability is undeniable and he’s sure to continue to grow with his music.
L.A. VANGOGH
One of Chicago’s best dual threats, L.A. VanGogh can both sing and rap (and produce!) with the best of them. His ability to create beautiful melodies with a distinct sound and then turn around and spit a solid verse has set him apart from his peers. VanGogh has started making national waves thanks to this identifiable sound and I have a feeling the best is yet to come.
KAMI
Kami is a Save Money member who has proven he can make a diverse variety of music that always hits the mark. His project Just Like The Movies has been one of the most interesting tapes to drop in 2017, featuring a strong 80’s influence and incredibly fascinating ideas throughout. Only a few weeks after he dropped that artistic piece of work, he comes through with the Superstar EP which featured some serious bangers and more turn up songs.
JAMILA WOODS
Jamila Woods is about as talented as anyone in Chicago. The skilled song writer packs her art with emotion, honesty, and vulnerability, truly bringing the music to life. The soothing and soulful music she creates is some of the freshest, most creative music to be found anywhere.
LOREN
Loren has been putting in work for years and it’s been paying off in big ways. The talented MC has an excited fan base, is an easily recognizable name on the Chicago scene and is a certified Chicago underground legend at this point. He continues to impress with every drop and we’re looking forward to hearing him continue to grow. His work with producer Flight has been some of the most consistent, steady music to come out of the city and they have been laying the foundations for the new wave of Chicago artists.
QARI
One of the more poetic MCs in Chicago, Qari makes every word count. His lyrical ability and uniquely appealing flow set him apart from the crowd and has kept us tuned into his music for years. It’s always easy to kick back and vibe out to some Qari as his often mellow music brings a calming presence to nearly any situation.
FEMDOT
With the ability to tell vivid stories while maintaining fascinating flows and melodies, Femdot is one of Chicago’s most complete MCs. Just because Femdot comes from a more lyrical place doesn’t mean he sacrifices energy or catchiness in his music. This dynamic presence on wax translates to lively performances that animate the music in a way that always keeps the audience engaged. Femdot is also a consistent artist, releasing new projects and loose tracks on a regular basis.
MORIMOTO
Morimoto brings a fresh take to not only hip hop but music in general. His unique sound touches toes with many genres, ranging from jazz to blues to hip hop and even rock, bringing them all together in a distinct and interesting way. While this eclectic mix of sounds could feel out of place, Morimoto does an excellent job of making them work in a way that takes the individual pieces and brings them together like a big musical family, each member possessing an important aspect in the aesthetic.
JAYAIRE WOODS
Having a distinct style and sound is an important aspect of being a musical artist and Jayaire Woods definitely has a unique sound. The melodic MC has been putting out catchy, spacious music that is easy to vibe to for a few years at this point and has dropped some serious gems such as TREES42MORROW and FREETHEFALL, putting him on the map as one of Chicago’s most talented artists. He has also signed to Quality Control
BIG BODY FIJI
There are some artists that make simply fun music and Big Body Fiji is one of those artists. The Decent Gang member has been dropping uptempo, energetic music for a while now and has started to get some well deserved recognition. His unique and memorable style, paired with his vibrant, entertaining music have all the ingredients necessary for Fiji to really make a name for himself in more than just Chicago.
TOBI LOU
If you’re looking for catchy, uptempo, feel good music, Tobi Lou is the artist for you. Every song the Chicago MC has dropped has featured robust production and an undeniably uplifting presence whenever Lou enters. This positive energy makes for great summer time music, but really it’s good enough to listen to at any time and I have a feeling Lou will be getting more and more attention with each song he drops. His focus on only releasing high quality music and visuals is a good plan that has been working so far and people are tuning in partly because of that deliberate approach.
MFN MELO
When it comes to Chicago’s top lyricists, MFn Melo has to be near the top of the list. Serving as a strong part of the Pivot Gang family, Melo has shown he can spit with the best of them over a variety of different kinds of beats. His pure rapping ability could match up with anyone in the world and his impeccable flow combined with his creative, precise lyricism truly makes him stand out from the crowd. We’re looking forward to a full project from the talented artist to solidify his place amongst Chicago’s top MCs.
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PHOELIX
Creativity is a sixth sense for Chicago artist Phoelix; it just comes naturally. From his production to his lyrics to his flows, Phoelix is one of the most purely talented artists in not only the city but the country and even the world. His music pushes boundaries that were barely even existent before he started making music and his sound is unlike nearly anything out today. The diverse artist has a unique way of making his message bleed through the speakers, embedding his emotive compositions directly into listeners’ minds and allowing them to rest there until they can be thoroughly experienced.
KNOX FORTUNE
From production to song writing to vocals to drawing, Knox Fortune can do a little bit of everything. His artistic prowess can be found on full display in his solo music, where he creates vibrant, robust instrumentation, sings warm and heartfelt melodies and draws his own cover art, completing the artistic tornado that accompanies his work. Aside from his solo work, Knox Fortune has produced for and worked with Chance the Rapper, Joey Purp, and Kami, among others.
JAY2
It’s usually a good sign when an MC gets on a Monte Booker beat and Jay2 has collaborated with him on a handful of excellent tracks. Jay2’s smooth flow, clever lyrics, and melodic vocals help him stand out among Chicago’s crowded scene and tracks like All Night and Better Serve should be all you need to hear to recognize his immense talent.
theMIND
One of Chicago’s best R&B artists, theMIND has an ear for music like few other people. His music has a nearly ethereal effect and is full of soft vocals and hypnotizing production, putting listeners in an otherworldly headspace. His album Summer Camp is a great example of this welcoming sound and with a bunch of production from THEMpeople and Knox Fortune, it’s one of the best projects in the past few years.
YOMI
When it comes to artists who just stand out, Yomi is at the top of the list. She incorporates the harp beautifully into all her music, bringing a refreshing and unique sound that is still very focused and allows her skill to breath. Her project #THATHARPIST is a great example of her work and is really the tape that got me introduced to Yomi. The soft, calming music on #THATHARPIST is a good way to just relax and it showcases Yomi’s talent as a vocalist and songwriter as well as a harpist. The authentic, personal sounds she has been releasing will definitely keep me on the lookout for any new material she releases.
SWADE
SWADE is really one of the most lyrical MCs in Chicago these days and his music is always on point. Coming in with a more classic hip hop sound, the thoughtful MC has found his own lane, often speaking on real life subjects in a poetic, deliberate manner that hits home.
SHEPARD HUES
Shepard Hues has been creating music for over a decade but only recently began releasing it for the rest of the world to hear, but with music this good it’s better late than never. His ability to sing and produce high quality material makes him one of the most talented artists in the city and he’s sure to continue gaining recognition thanks in part to being in the group Fight Me with Supa Bwe and UG Vavy.
ERYN ALLEN KANE
One of Chicago’s best vocalists, Eryn Allen Kane has been making a name for herself thanks to the powerfully passionate music she makes. She consistently shows her excellent range and ability to sing with heart you can feel with each note she hits, often reminding listeners of older vocalists such as Aretha Franklin. Things are only looking up for Kane so you should expect to be hearing a lot more about her in the future.
MARI
Mari is an artist who has an ear for quality. The Chicago MC has the rare ability to make meaningful songs that are still catchy and fun to listen to. Mari’s melodic voice and flows can often be found over piano loops and smooth backdrops which provide the perfect space for Mari’s thoughts.
MELO MAKES MUSIC
Melo Makes Music has a great musical sensibility and very song he’s on has the potential to be a hit. With the ability to create unique, ear catching melodies over hand picked production, Melo has been making waves by releasing high quality music and collaborating with some of the city’s best producers and MCs.
MEECH
Ova East Meech is one of those artists who can spit a crazy verse full of outstanding wordplay then come through with a catchy hook to match. This diverse ability has led to some great music such as the tracks Saved, HBH, No Doubt, and Tango. His work with producer Mic Lee in particular is worth a few listens.
AUSTIN FILLMORE
Sometimes it’s clear an artist has that kind of sound that will eventually lead to big things for them and Austin Fillmore is one of those artists. His uptempo music makes you want to dance and the energy he brings is contagious. Songs such as Juke are perfect examples of the fun, lively style he brings to the table.
THE BOY ILLINOIS
The Boy Illinois is an artist who proves hard work pays off. Over the past few years he’s taken his music to the next level and continues to push his sound to new heights with nearly everything he releases. His energetic sound is coupled by an impeccable sense of style that can be seen throughout his music videos.
CALEZ
There are a few artists who I could see really hitting the mainstream and Calez is one of them. He simply knows how to craft a song and is a true triple threat who can produce, rap, and sing with authority. He has also worked with some of Chicago’s biggest names such as Nico Segal, Alex Wiley and Mick Jenkins and it feels like Calez could be next in line.
VALEE
Heavily trap influenced production and braggadocious bars are easy to find on just about any Valee track. His hard hitting style will make you feel like you rule the world and he backs up this confidence with plenty of talent as both an MC and producer.
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AJANI JONES
Ajani Jones is one of the most skilled rappers in Chicago. His music is lyrical, thoughtful, personal, and relatable and always has a powerful message packed behind the melodic sounds. His album Eternal Bliss is full of these contemplative yet creative songs and has been one of my favorite projects this year.
MALCOLM LONDON
One of the most politically active artists in Chicago, Malcolm London uses his powerful voice to better his community. The artist-activist has impacted the city in a big way and his music reflects the efforts he puts in, often speaking on life in Chicago from a first hand perspective and providing a complex, robust picture of his experiences.
NETHERFRIENDS
Netherfriends is an artist who simply loves making music. The amount of material he releases is prolific and he is always trying to come out with something creative and original. One great example of his eclectic style is his tape Country Trap which created an odd musical couple between trap and country music.
SULAIMAN
Sulaiman knows how to make deliberate, thought provoking music that will have listeners going back multiple times to catch every story and line he spits. Coming in with a more classic hip hop sounds, Sulaiman knows how to craft a complete and cohesive project as exampled by his tape 6pc Fried Hard.
ADAMN KILLA
If you’re looking for some catchy melodies with some of the best production in the city, Adamn Killa is the artist for you. His flow is smooth as butter and he has an uncanny ear for beats which is apparent on his project I Am Adamn where he experiments with a variety of compelling sounds.