,

These Are The Rappers To Watch In 2025

MCs such as Samara Cyn, Ray Vaughn and Benji Blue Bills are due for a big 2025.

Photo: Getty Images Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Coachella // Christopher Polk/Billboard // Prince Williams/WireImage

A new year means there are new rappers ready to show off their talents to Hip-hop fans who were too focused on the beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. These new MCs are talented, unique, confident, and willing to take chances with their music. While it may not always fit within the stereotypical definition of what hip-hop was โ€œmeant to be,โ€ these artists are creating new standards of what the genre can be in the future.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Here are the rappers you need to keep an eye out for in 2025.

Ray Vaughn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhlyn_tmLXg

This TDE signee has released several impressive singles over the years but has yet to release a full-length project under the respected West Coast label. If it ends up being great, he could cement himself as one of the many up-and-coming Cali artists ready to take over the game.

AZ Chike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGf2NaV9pLs

AZ Chike had as good a feature run as an artist can have in 2024. He made impressive appearances on albums from Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q.

Lexa Gates

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9UtQaQ3REA

Lexa Gates is another beautiful example of an MC meshing R&B and rap in her music. The thing that separates her from other artists is her expressionless comedic moments in her songs.

Samara Cyn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi85IO_uH8g

Rap fans will always have a soft spot for an MC who knows how to perfectly blend spoken word into their music. Samara Cyn does that as well as any artist out right now.

VonOff1700

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTTNE4wvp8c

VonOff1700 is keeping Chicagoโ€™s drill scene alive and well. His aggressive raps are sure to entertain fans throughout the year.

Benji Blue Bills

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV7_Ac438fA

Benji Blue Bills recently took over the internet with his catchy hit โ€œAye Rage.โ€ Itโ€™s sure to carry him for the rest of the year and will have fans begging for more music.

Devin Malik

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZnjxtQ9snM

Although heโ€™s not an official TDE signee, heโ€™s closely affiliated with the label and has worked with several of their artists, most notably Schoolboy Q. Itโ€™ll be interesting to see if he can keep the momentum going in 2025.

Gelo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2MdybKPqfE

LiAngelo Ballโ€™s โ€œTweakerโ€ has become such a huge hit on the internet that it landed him a $13 million deal with Def Jam. While some may see it as a gimmick, itโ€™s clear that many fans enjoy it.

Loe Shimmy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWXI6Rz0b0U

Loe Shimmyโ€™s melodic flow has captured hip-hop fans across the internet. Itโ€™s a chill laid-back style of music that is perfect for those vibey nights out.

Star Bandz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cnzyxoImg0

Recently releasing her debut album, โ€œEstrellaโ€ in November, Star Bandz has a chance to take advantage of her buzz and turn into the next great rap star from Chicago.

Laila!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUf2n2R4fI8

Yeah, I know. Laila! isnโ€™t technically rap. But I had to include the daughter of rap legend Mos Def on this list. Her debut project, โ€œGap Year!โ€ impressed and is a good stepping stone for her to continue experimenting with her music and sounds.

Isaiah Falls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISQt829CQvA

Isaiah Falls is similar to that of Bryson Tiller and other singers who have been able to blend laid-back R&B and rap into their music.

Nino Paid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HxvRmU8JNo

Donโ€™t let his style or flow fool you, DMV rapper Nino Paid is one of the most vulnerable artists out right now. This makes his music easy to relate to while also being extremely enjoyable.

Mello Buckzz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsfn0t2hNiw

Yes, thatโ€™s right. Another Chicago artist is on this list. No, itโ€™s not a bias, they just have a knack for breading some of the hardest MCs out right now. Mello Buckz fits into that mold and has no plans of slowing down in 2025.

Ovrkast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWqj-VFskA0

Ovrkast has been a lowkey gem for rap artists for some years now. This Bay Area MC deserves his flowers in 2025 and is someone more fans need to pay attention to.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Songs by White Artists You Can Add to Your Black Cookout Playlist

Songs by White Artists You Can Add to Your Black Cookout Playlist

If you're planning your Fourth of July cookout playlist, these songs by blue-eyed soul artists should be in the mix ...
A Look at How Jay-Z Became The Best Dressed Rapper Alive

A Look at How Jay-Z Became The Best Dressed Rapper Alive

A look at how the "Best Dressed Rapper Alive" leveled up in fashion ...

NBA's Mike Beasley's Alleged Gambling Issues Have Him Owing Money to <i>Who??</i>

NBA’s Mike Beasley’s Alleged Gambling Issues Have Him Owing Money to Who??

The amount of money Beasley apparently owes to his barber is insane ...
Diddy's Dramatic Reaction to His Trial Verdict Says it All...

Diddy’s Dramatic Reaction to His Trial Verdict Says it All…

After giving death stares to reporters and throwing up heart symbols to his children throughout the trial, Diddy's demeanor has taken a turn ...
Lizzo Reveals The Meals She Ate To Lose 100 Pounds

Lizzo Reveals The Meals She Ate To Lose 100 Pounds

The popular singer is finally sharing some secrets behind her amazing weight loss journey and we're taking notes! ...
Seven Singers That Black People Swear Can Sing, But We Know They Can't

Seven Singers That Black People Swear Can Sing, But We Know They Can’t

Can we have a frank and honest conversation? It is time we told the truth ...
Halle Bailey Debuts Potential New Man Amid DDG Drama and the Internet Says It's About Time!

Halle Bailey Debuts Potential New Man Amid DDG Drama and the Internet Says It’s About Time!

Bailey appears to be basking in her newfound happiness and a newfound man. And the social media streets are hot about it! ...
50 Cent, Other Celebs React to Shocking Diddy Verdict

50 Cent, Other Celebs React to Shocking Diddy Verdict

A handful of famous faces are finally starting to speak out about and the responses are...interesting! ...
Why Cassie Might Be the Reason Diddy Was Acquitted

Why Cassie Might Be the Reason Diddy Was Acquitted

Cassie Ventura might not be viewed as sympathetic for this one reason ...
WATCH: Diddy Fans Pour Baby Oil Over Each Other Outside the Courthouse Following Verdict, and the Internet Has Thoughts

WATCH: Diddy Fans Pour Baby Oil Over Each Other Outside the Courthouse Following Verdict, and the Internet Has Thoughts

As soon as Diddy was found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking, fans took to the streets lathering up in... baby oil ...
Carnival's New Rules Got Black Folks <i>All</i> in Their Feelings, But Others Say the Cruise Line is Justified

Carnival’s New Rules Got Black Folks All in Their Feelings, But Others Say the Cruise Line is Justified

Are Carnival's new rules restrictive, or racist? Some folks say it's the latter, and they're cancelling their reservations expeditiously ...

The Story Behind the Viral ‘Boots on the Ground’ Dance Performed By Beyoncรฉ and Michelle Obama

As we roll into the Fourth of July weekend, we're looking at the story behind the latest viral line dance ...
Why This Phone Call From Ray J's Might Be a Genuine Cause For Concern

Why This Phone Call From Ray J’s Might Be a Genuine Cause For Concern

The "One Wish" singer is no stranger to making headlines, but this time might be cause for serious concern ...
Black America Left Shocked After Diddy Trial Verdict Finally Announced

Black America Left Shocked After Diddy Trial Verdict Finally Announced

Diddy was just found not guilty on racketeering and sex trafficking but guilty on prostitution charges ...
The Real Tea Behind Tina Knowles, Mathew Divorce

The Real Tea Behind Tina Knowles, Mathew Divorce

While it's been nearly 15 years since the couple ended their marriage, we now have a good clue as to what exactly caused its dissolution ...
Suge Knight Claims Tupac's Mother Made This Shocking Move in His Final Moments

Suge Knight Claims Tupac’s Mother Made This Shocking Move in His Final Moments

Knight's latest claim follows a series of confessions that might be tough to beliieve for a lot of folks ...
Spoilers: Black TikTok Has Interesting Theories on Taraji's Daughter's Death in 'Straw'

Spoilers: Black TikTok Has Interesting Theories on Taraji’s Daughter’s Death in ‘Straw’

A very interesting theory about the major plot twist of the film is now being widely dissected and we've just got to discuss it! ...
The Unbelievable Reasons Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Got off to a Rocky Start

The Unbelievable Reasons Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Got off to a Rocky Start

So far, the jury has sent five different notes to the judge, suggesting jury deliberation in this case will be tedious and difficult ...
The Gruesome Truth Behind the Death Of a 7-Year-Old Florida Girl Found Unresponsive in Her Home

The Gruesome Truth Behind the Death Of a 7-Year-Old Florida Girl Found Unresponsive in Her Home

Naikishia L. Williams originally told police her daughter became unresponsive after she was given medication, but quickly, those claims were refuted ...