Top 10 Best New School Rappers
Who are the most skilled new school rappers who consistently bring talent and lyricism to the table and continue to keep hip hop alive? When we say new school, we are talking about rappers who have gained their success from 2010 through the present. Keep in mind it should be based mostly on skill and quality, even though some people will just add their favorites based more on popularity and hits.
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper and songwriter. Raised in Compton, California, Lamar embarked on his musical career as a teenager under the stage name K-Dot, releasing a mixtape that garnered local attention and led to his signing with indie record label Top Dawg... read more Unparalleled legend. His earlier stuff with Good Kid MAAD City was legendary, but his artistic and trippy underground jazz influenced To Pimp a Butterfly and Untitled Unmastered albums are god-tier. Only Tyler the Creator can compete with this deity.
Out of all the Rappers in the new school rap game right now..this guy just does it for me, he is good, so good that each and every song he makes has a message to it.
Kendrick is it. And that fella who called Kendrick a dummy has the worst brain on the planet. So says a neurosurgeon.
Jermaine Lamarr Cole, better known by his stage name J. Cole, is an American hip hop recording artist and record producer. J. Cole really gets some undeserved hate. He did a wack job on "Mr. Nice Watch" but that is arguably (but probably) the only fault in his career. He didn't drop classic albums like Kendrick did, but his albums were consistently good with some classic tracks. Not many rappers can do that kind of job these days. His beat production has always hit that line between modern trendiness with nostalgia, which is also a very hard feat. His lyrics most of the time has a nice poetic edge, which again not many rappers out there care about anymore. The fact that he is below Drake in this list is just a big shame. I would say he does a better job in reaching a wider audience, he just sacrifices a little more of his art than K. Dot. Characters like J. Cole are essential to the game, they break the prejudice that all rap is wack like the likes of Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz, or too hard to decipher like K. Dot's. But people like Kendrick have difficulty reaching an audience that is radio friendly. Cole will, and is the bridge that will lead the public to serious artists like K.Dot. I am a die-hard Nas and K. Dot fan, but I feel really proud when I see people that bump J. Cole hard. Hip-hop and rap really is a legitimate art form, but many wack rappers ruin that status. Cole is definitely a legit rapper that tries to change the game for the good.
Tyler Gregory Okonma (born March 6, 1991), better known by his stage name Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper, record producer, and music video director... read more Tyler, The Creator has that underground rap feel while also being popular and in the semi-mainstream at the same time. If anyone can save hip-hop in 2021, he can.
Tyler is a legend, literally GOAT. I don't see any other rappers who produce their entire albums over here...
Tyler the creator is one of the best at rhyming words of this generation
Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, better known as Logic, is one of the most influential artists in the rap game today. He was Born on January 22, 1990, in Gaithersburg, Maryland and first gained major fame through making 2013's edition of the XXL Top-10 Freshmen List and has easily become the most successful... read more Decent rapper though I don't like him as much as I did 3-4 years ago, as I have found modern rappers who are more lyrical like Bishop Nehru, Locksmith, Your Old Droog and KAAN to name a few, plus a lot of his recent music is very mainstream sounding and he's basically just a more lyrical version of Drake now.
Just listen to Under Pressure, his work is a masterpiece. The best flow in the game, His lyrics are so amazing and the beat production by 6ix are so dope with his tracks. Listen to Dead Presidents 3, Under Pressure and Paradise and tell me he isn't the best
Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, better known by his stage name Joey Badass, is an American hip hop recording artist and actor. I think his place is just after k dot and j cole. He is the best underground artist presently. He makes great music and he is damn underrated. He's gonna be at the top on upcoming days
Listen to 1999 & B4.da.$$
He is One of the greatest rappers of the new generation
In this generation, the only rappers that I think are above him are kendrick & cole
Definitely better than Kendrick or Logic or even Cole at times.
Rakim Mayers, better known by his stage name ASAP Rocky, is an American rapper, record producer, director and actor from Harlem, New York. A$AP Rocky is one of the best rappers in the game right now, and in my opinion is third only to Kendrick and J Cole. His voice is arguably the best in the game and his flow is hard to match. From fire trap beats to old school beats, he can rap very quickly and understandably, dropping witty bars over a variety of different beats, as well as sing and provide a slow chorus between verses. Yes, his subject matter is repetitive and basic but he thrives within that and can give sharp bars about it that conscious rappers cannot come up with when talking about racism or politics. Overall, rocky is one of the best rappers that can be found.
Aubrey Drake Graham, known professionally as Drake, is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor, born on October 24, 1986 in Toronto, Canada. He started his career on Canadian reality show "Degrassi: The Next Generation". When he wants to, he can compete for number 1. When he is not singing (that is)
Drake has good lyrical skill and great hit songs.
Marcus Jamal Hopson, better known by his stage name Hopsin, is an American rapper, record producer, director and actor from Los Angeles, California. Hopsin was born on July 18, 1985. His first album was called Emurge but he's best known for his album titled Raw. He's that one rapper were either he has amazing songs (ill mind 5-7) and has some not so great songs. His only downfall is that he's self produced. He only produces his songs on his album and to be honest, the beats just aren't that great and that's what gets people hating and calling him corny because people like drake fans click on his music expecting a thumping beat and that's not what hopsin is all about. Its about the music, not about looking cool.
Was supposed to be signed by Eazy-E, but deal didn't work out with Eazy's wife after Eazy passed away.
Chancelor Jonathan Bennett, known professionally as Chance the Rapper, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer from the West Chatham neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Chance is one of the best modern rappers for several reasons:
Flow - He has one the most unique and inventive flows in Hip-Hop right now. He uses his wide range of fast, but understandable, flows in many songs but I think the best example of him using his flow perfectly is in Ultralight Beam (by Kanye, featuring Chance). His flow is reminiscent of jazz improvisation in the way that it is divided into fast and distinctive phrases that often cross the barlines.
Production - At a time when generic trap beats are dominating the hip-hop airwaves, any inventive production is welcome and Chance's beats are most definitely a huge breath of fresh air in this crowded industry. The way he uses jazz chords and rhythms and synths to create such a peppy and soulful mood is amazing. Plus, his use of a gospel choir in many songs just adds to the musicality and beauty of his music. Plus, he knows when to slow it down and to simplify his music such as with 'Same Drugs'.
Innovative - The fact that Chance has managed to be so successful despite never signing to a label and persistently releasing his music for free is to be admired, even if you can't enjoy his music. It is something that we have never before seen. He has already had influence on many newcomers this early in his career. Never before has a streaming-only, free release, independent album won at the Grammys and that should be applauded.
Donald McKinley Glover Jr. is an American actor, comedian, writer, director, rapper, singer, songwriter, producer and DJ. He performs music under the stage name Childish Gambino and as a DJ under the name mcDJ... read more One of the best existing rap flows right now, and has a brilliant delivery. His aggressive one is probably best. While he can be corny (like most rappers) he has his amazing punchlines and clever lyricism. His beats are self produced (mostly) and his voice fits perfectly almost every time.
Only thing I want him to shut up about is Asian girls.
Has extremely good flow, clever lyrics, and a diverse range of talents. I know he sorta stopped making music to focus on acting (loved him in Atlanta and Community by the way), but he's still 100% a beast.
Ye (born Kanye Omari West; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer and fashion designer. He is regarded as one of the most influential, as well as controversial, artists of the 21st century... read more He isn't a new school rapper he has been in the game for over 20 years. Also whoever DaWyteNight is has the worst opinions out of anyone I have ever seen on this website. How tf do you hate on Kendrick and Kanye and think that Lil Wyte is the goat.
Kanye hasn't been good in over a decade and when he was good he had ghostwriters. He shouldn't even be on the list, he made rap less about actually being lyrical and more about being "artistic."
Don't get me wrong, Kanye is a great rapper. But he is nit new school. His first album dropped in 2004.
Jacques Webster, better known by his stage name Travis Scott, is an American hip hop recording artist, record producer and musician from Houston, Texas.
He's decent but nothing special compared to someone like Locksmith.
Should be top 3. He puts so much time into his music and gets so little recognition
Number one please like this dude is so underrated!
Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy (January 23, 1998 - June 18, 2018), known professionally as XXXTentacion, and often referred to as X, was an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and criminal. He has the best delivery out of all the rappers in the list for the exception of Kendrick. He can rap in many styled including screamo rap (#imsippinteainyohood, young bratz, iwatchedhimdrown) best hype music, most emotional and intense content. He has too many good songs not just rap but punk rock metal and rnb. He should be number two.
Too bad most of the music he made wasn't actual rap music because riot was actually good.
Made a bigger impact than anyone else on this list.
Thebe Neruda Kgositsile, better known by his stage name Earl Sweatshirt, is an American rapper, record producer, and disc jockey from Los Angeles, California. If you took Earl's lyricism and Tyler's voice and combined them into one rapper now that would be one really great rapper, Earl's voice just isn't that interesting for me though he does have a good flow.
His delivery and his flow is like no other.
He makes music like no one else his lyrics are great and the vibe is amazing in his music. If you don't listen to earl you need to.
One of the best ever on a technical level, with rhymes schemes, etc. Anyone who voted Tyler is sleeping on Earl.
Quincy Matthew Hanley, better known by his stage name Schoolboy Q, is an American hip hop recording artist from South Central Los Angeles, California.
Bishop Nehru is an American rapper and record producer from Nanuet, New York. He also directs and edits music videos. Dude is a beast, very lyrical and relatable, and has a great chill vibe, kind of similar to 1999 by Joey Bada$$. Anybody who even considers voting for Drake, Travis Scott, Denzel Curry, Kanye West or Big Sean has probably never listened to Bishop before.
He isn't mainstream or very well known but he definitely deserves at least top 10 for his talent.
Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, better known by his stage name Kid Cudi, is an American recording artist and actor from Cleveland, Ohio. Amazing artist in general. Changed the game.
Denzel Rae Don Curry (born February 16, 1995) is an American rapper and songwriter from Miami Gardens, Florida. He released his debut full-length album, titled Nostalgic 64 on September 3, 2013. His second full-length album, titled Imperial, was released on March 9, 2016. His third album, Ta13oo, came... read more He is pretty average, not terrible but definitely not great either.
Clout cobain. He is the most underrated rapper and is an amazing lyricist who is top 5 for me
How the hell is zel #26. This is ridiculous. Lyrically and technique wise he's definitely top 10.
Daniel Dewan Sewell, known professionally as Danny Brown, is an American rapper. He is best known for his individuality, being described by MTV as "one of rap's most unique figures in recent memory". Underrated rapper that deserves more attention. He comes out of the same cloth that Kendrick and Ab-Soul do.
Davood Ali Asgari, better known by his stage name Locksmith, is an American rapper from Richmond, California. Locksmith probably has more talent than 95% of most rappers getting mainstream success nowadays.
Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, known professionally as Big Sean, is an American hip hop recording artist from Detroit, Michigan. His lyricism is witty, delivery impeccable, and also has a great vibe.
Just listen to any song on dark sky paradise
It is so good
Master of word play
One of the hottest artists out right now, lyrically is technical and bends his words to make new ones, flow is very nice; subject matter is great as well.
Be on stage at the grammys like, 'Kendrick is good, but Old Droog is the best! '