Sleeping Giants: These 7 Underrated Rappers Are Ready to Wake up the Industry

Rap music continues to dominate the airwaves. According to Spotify, hip-hop was one of the most streamed genres of music in the U.S. in 2023, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down.

In 2024, a fresh slate of rappers has emerged on the scene and are slowly carving out a path for themselves. Here are seven underrated — but skilled — new rappers to add to your playlist.

Detroit rapper Danny Brown gained recognition with his sophomore album, XXX, which was released in 2011. The rapper checked himself into rehab in 2023, but he’s gearing up for a big musical comeback. He kicked off his international tour in May, and he plans to make stops in Norward, Switzerland, and France.

San Diego rapper Jean Dawson is making waves in the industry with his distinctive style and authenticity. His debut album, City Dreams, features songs that seamlessly blend hip-hop, pop, and alternative influences.

The project explores themes of love, loss, and personal growth, but City of Dreams was just the beginning. Jean has since released two studio albums, and his single, “New Age Crisis,” was released on March 6.

In 2023, at just 24 years old, BigXthaPlug made a name for himself in the Deep South. The Texas native broke through with a song dedicated to his home state, and he has since become one of the hottest new rappers in the game.

His single "Mmhmm" propelled him onto the Billboard Hot 100 charts, while his collaboration with Offset on the track "Climate" soared to No. 48 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Kenny Mason's breakout moment came with the release of his debut album, Angelic Hoodrat, in 2020. The project, which he describes as a "collision of worlds," received praise for its genre-blurring sound, with tracks like "Hit" and "Metal Wings" showcasing Kenny’s versatility.

The Atlanta rapper released his follow-up project in March, accompanied by his Route 9 Tour.

Rapper LaRussell has slowly become a Bay Area star. The MC is known for hits like “Talk About It” and “Clarity,” but his work bringing hip-hop heads together is also getting a lot of shine. LaRussell’s Good Compenny collective facilitates The LaRussell Backyard Residency, a regularly occurring concert series for local artists to showcase their music.

ScarLip first gained popularity on social media after hip-hop lovers took notice of her raw lyrical abilities. The New York native has a gritty delivery and aspires to bring back unfiltered rap music.

“Everything is too pretty right now, so I am bringing back an ugly truth,” she told Stereogum.

Teezo Touchdown has gained attention for his bars and his eclectic style. The Texas rapper burst onto the scene with his 2023 album, How Do You Sleep at Night?, which featured guest appearances from Janelle Monáe and Isaiah Rusk. A month later, he teamed up with Drake for three songs on For All the Dogs.