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, this should be based mostly on skill and quality, even though some people might add their favorites based more on popularity and hits.
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper and songwriter from Compton, California. He began his career under the stage name K-Dot, releasing mixtapes that gained local recognition and led to his signing with Top Dawg Entertainment. Lamar has become one of the most critically... read more Unparalleled legend. His earlier work with Good Kid, M.A.A.D 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 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. He gained recognition with his debut mixtape The Come Up in 2007 and was the first artist signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation label. J. Cole has released multiple critically acclaimed... read more J. Cole really gets some undeserved hate. He did a poor job on "Mr. Nice Watch," but that is arguably (and 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 these days.
His beat production has always hit that line between modern trendiness and nostalgia, which is also a very hard feat. His lyrics often have a nice poetic edge, which not many rappers out there care about anymore. The fact that he is below Drake on this list is a big shame. I would say he does a better job of reaching a wider audience, but 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 a radio-friendly audience. 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 who bump J. Cole hard. Hip-hop and rap really are legitimate art forms, but many wack rappers ruin that status. Cole is definitely a legit rapper who tries to change the game for the better.
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 Just listen to Under Pressure. His work is a masterpiece. The best flow in the game. His lyrics are amazing, and the beat production by 6ix is dope with his tracks. Listen to Dead Presidents 3, Under Pressure, and Paradise, and tell me he isn't the best.
One of the most versatile artists of all time and the most versatile rapper of the new generation. He is very underrated and misunderstood. He deserves much more recognition.
One of the best technical geniuses, deserves more attention. Drake is way better than him, and he writes all his songs by himself. So don't sleep on Logic, people!
Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott (born January 20, 1995), known professionally as Joey Badass, is an American hip hop recording artist and actor. He first gained recognition with his debut mixtape 1999, which received critical acclaim. In addition to his music career, he has appeared in television series such... read more 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 in the upcoming days.
Listen to 1999 and 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 and Cole.
Definitely better than Kendrick or Logic or even Cole at times.
Rakim Mayers, professionally known as ASAP Rocky, is an American rapper, record producer, director, and actor. He emerged from the Harlem-based hip hop collective A$AP Mob and gained national attention with his 2011 mixtape Live. Love. A$AP. His debut studio album was released in 2013 and debuted at... read more 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. He can also 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 (born October 24, 1986) is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor from Toronto. He first gained public attention as an actor on the Canadian series Degrassi: The Next Generation before launching a music career. Drake's become one of the world's best-selling... read more 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 titled Emurge, but he is best known for his 2010 album Raw, which helped establish his reputation... read more He's that one rapper who either has amazing songs (Ill Mind 5-7) or 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. That's what gets people hating and calling him corny because fans of artists like Drake click on his music expecting a thumping beat, and that's not what Hopsin is all about. It's about the music, not about looking cool.
Was supposed to be signed by Eazy-E, but the 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 of 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 it is divided into fast and distinctive phrases that often cross the bar lines.
Production - At a time when generic trap beats dominate the hip-hop airwaves, any inventive production is welcome, and Chance's beats are a huge breath of fresh air in this crowded industry. The way he uses jazz chords, 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. He also knows when to slow it down and 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 admirable, even if you can't enjoy his music. It is something we have never seen before. He has already influenced many newcomers 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, with brilliant delivery. His aggressive delivery is probably best. While he can be corny (like most rappers), he has amazing punchlines and clever lyricism. His beats are self-produced (mostly), and his voice fits perfectly almost every time.
The only thing I want him to stop talking about is Asian girls.
Has an extremely good flow, clever lyrics, and a diverse range of talents. I know he sort of stopped making music to focus on acting (loved him in Atlanta and Community, by the way), but he's still 100% a beast.
The Newcomers
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 and controversial artists of the 21st century... read more
Jacques Webster Jr., better known by his stage name Travis Scott, is an American hip hop recording artist, record producer, and musician from Houston, Texas. He has released several chart-topping albums and is known for his high-energy performances and innovative production style. He has collaborated... read more
Should be top 3. He puts so much time into his music and gets so little recognition.
Number one, please. 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 on the list, with the exception of Kendrick. He can rap in many styles, including screamo rap (#imsippinteainyohood, Young Bratz, Iwatchedhimdrown). He has the best hype music and the most emotional and intense content. He has too many good songs, not just rap but also punk rock, metal, and R&B. 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.
Quincy Matthew Hanley, better known by his stage name Schoolboy Q, is an American hip hop recording artist from South Central Los Angeles, California. He is a member of the hip hop collective Black Hippy, along with Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock. Schoolboy Q is known for albums such as Oxymoron... read more
Thebe Neruda Kgositsile, better known by his stage name Earl Sweatshirt, is an American rapper, record producer, and disc jockey. He is from Los Angeles, California. Earl Sweatshirt has gained acclaim for his lyrical style and contributions to hip-hop music. If you took Earl's lyricism and Tyler's voice and combined them into one rapper, that would be a 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 are 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 rhyme schemes, etc. Anyone who voted Tyler is sleeping on Earl.
Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, better known as Kid Cudi, is an American recording artist and actor from Cleveland, Ohio.e gained recognition with his debut single Day 'n' Nite and has since released several critically acclaimed albums. Cudi is also known for his work in television and film, including roles... read more 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 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.
Be on stage at the Grammys like, Kendrick is good, but Old Droog is the best!
Darold Durard Brown Ferguson Jr. (born October 20, 1988), known professionally as Ferg (previously A$AP Ferg), is an American rapper from Harlem, New York City... read more
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. He gained recognition in the early 2000s as part of the rap duo The Frontline. Locksmith is known for his intricate lyricism and socially conscious themes. Locksmith probably has more talent than 95% of most rappers getting mainstream success nowadays.
Bishop Nehru is an American rapper and record producer from Nanuet, New York. He also directs and edits music videos. He gained recognition for his collaborations with MF DOOM and his debut mixtape Nehruvia. 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.
Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, born March 25, 1988, is known professionally as Big Sean. He is an American hip hop recording artist from Detroit, Michigan. Big Sean rose to prominence with the release of his debut album Finally Famous in 2011. His lyricism is witty, delivery impeccable, and he also has a great vibe.
Just listen to any song on Dark Sky Paradise.
It is so good. Master of wordplay.
Dude can rap, don't get me wrong, but I just can't get past his voice, and he also seems to use the same flows over and over. Back when I made my original comment I thought he was going to be "next up", but now here we are in 2025, his style is basically the same after all these years and I feel like he hasn't moved beyond that "next up" lane. A few nice verses here and there but I think at this point it's pretty clear he's not gonna be the next Cole or Kendrick.
One of the hottest artists out right now, lyrically technical and bending his words to make new ones. His flow is very nice, and his subject matter is great as well.