New year, new names to check out. Although Nas proclaimed that hip-hop was dead some years ago, the beloved music and culture were still alive and thriving in 2021. As a matter of fact, music’s most popular genre continues to level up. Hip-hop has been around for five decades and continues to evolve with each new generation. The future of rap is bright and of course New York City has something to do with it.

 

New York City (The Bronx more specifically) is considered the birthplace of hip-hop, as well as the birthplace of many G.O.A.T. rappers. Iconic artists such as The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Nas, 50 Cent and many others have considered the most populated city in the United States home sweet home.

 

To this day, the rotten apple provides hip-hop heads with their ears to the streets and casual listeners with some of the most sought-after artists in the game. NYC-bred acts such as the late Pop Smoke, Cardi B, Lil Tjay, Fivio Foreign, 22Gz, and others have made noise in the city that doesn’t sleep over the last few years.

 

The hip-hop scene in New York City is currently booming. It’s full of up-and-coming artists putting in that work. Several of them even have the potential to leverage their local and online buzz into national hype. Here, we explore top rising stars who are shaking things up on NYC’s hip-hop scene right now.

 

Check out 15 emerging New York City rappers below and let us know if you agree or disagree with these picks in the comments!

 

Ron Suno

Age: 20

Hometown: The Bronx

IG: @ronsuno (1M followers)

Check out: “Semi”, “Grabba”, “Winners” featuring Sheff G

 

 

J.I.

Age: 20

Hometown: Brooklyn

IG: @iamj.i (2.1M followers)

Check out: “R&B Shit” featuring A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, “Taken For Granted”, “Need Me”

 

 

Melvoni

Age: 18

Hometown: Brooklyn

IG: @melvoni (168,000 followers)

Check out: “Get Money” featuring DDG and Tyla Yaweh, “Everything Approved”, “Feel Alive (Throw Up the A)”,

 

 

B-Lovee

Age: 20

Hometown: South Bronx

IG: @blovee.1 (247,000 followers)

Check out: “My Everything (Part III)” featuring G Herbo, “Neaky”, “IYKYK”

 

 

Kay Flock

Age: 18

Hometown: The Bronx

IG: @kayflock (409,000 followers)

Check out: “Being Honest (Remix)” featuring G Herbo, “Is Ya Ready”, “PSA”

 

 

Dream Doll

Age: 29

Hometown: The Bronx

IG: @dreamdoll (4.5M followers)

Check out: “Ah Ah Ah” featuring Fivio Foreign, “You know My body” featuring Capella Grey

 

 

Dthangs

Age: 21

Hometown: The Bronx

IG: @dthangracks (145,000 followers)

Check out: “Caution”, “Love Dthangs”

 

 

Dusty Locane

Age: 21

Hometown: Canarsie

IG: @dustylocane (538,000 followers)

Check out: “ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN, Pt.2 (PICTURE ME)”, “Canes World”, “Rumble”

 

 

Sleepy Hallow

Age: 21

Hometown: Flatbush, Brooklyn

IG: @_sleepyhallow_ (734,000 followers)

Check out: “2055”, “Luv Em All”

 

 

Sheff G

Age: 23

Hometown: Flatbush, Brooklyn

IG: @sheff_g (955,000 followers)

Check out: “On Go” Featuring Polo G, “Drum Dummy”, “No Suburban”

 

 

Stunna Gambino

Age: 19

Hometown: Washington Heights

IG: @stunna.gambino (262,000 followers)

Check out: “Demons” featuring A Boogie wit da Hoodie, “Rockstar from the Trenches” featuring Bizzy Banks, “Drakos” featuring Lil Perco

 

 

26AR

Age: N/A

Hometown: Crown Heights, Brooklyn

IG: @26argojr_ (76,500 followers)

Check out: “Beautiful Glock”, “Don’t Ask”, “Fly Oota”

 

 

Eli Fross

Age: 20

Hometown: Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

IG: @elifross_ (140,000 followers)

Check out: “Growing Up Gangsta”, “Laced”

 

 

Bizzy Banks

Age: 23

Hometown: Brooklyn

IG: @gmtobizzy (248,000 followers)

Check out: “My Shit”, “Don’t Start”, GMTO, Vol. 1 (Get Money Take Over)

 

 

Bouba Savage

Age: 14

Hometown: The Bronx

IG: @boubasavage (431,000 followers)

Check out: “Kidnap Who”, “Lockdown”

 

 

If you want some proven chart-topping hits, check out the best-selling hip-hop and R&B albums of 2021.

 

Photo via Virisa Yong