Bulgarian Rappers

List of Top Bulgarian Rap Artists

Despite having one of Europe’s smaller hip hop markets, Bulgarian rappers have developed a strong presence within Bulgaria’s music scene. A number of the top Bulgarian rap artists are among Bulgaria’s top pop stars, while it is not abnormal to witness many artists transition between the two genres of hip hop and pop music.

In the past, Bulgarian music has predominantly focused on instruments such as the bagpipe, with the nation’s opera singers being highly acclaimed worldwide, and its folklore frequently receiving the highest commendations. Although contemporary Bulgarian music is primarily comprised of mainstream pop, Bulgarian hip hop has successfully infiltrated various listening platforms, essentially reaching anywhere people enjoy music.

While rap and hip hop music may had some form of existence in Bulgaria during the 1980s, not until the mid 1990s did Bulgarian rap music become more open to the public. Some of the first and true pioneers of Bulgarian hip hop are the likes of rapper Big Sha, work worked with rap legend DMX, Spens, Upsurt, which was a rap group of Bate Ventsi and Itzo Hazarta, disc jockey and music producer DJ Darkstep, Mangasarian Bros, and G Dogg, just to name a few. While during the 2000s, Bulgarian hip-hop expanded as the rap heavyweights of raw and uncut lyricism with Dim4ou, Billy Hlapeto, Jluch, Keranov, and several others began to emerge.

Today’s Top Bulgarian Rappers

Moving forward, there are several top Bulgarian rappers that are leading the way. Krisko has become one of Bulgaria’s most successful rappers and producers, having earned numerous accolades and releasing top-charting singles. V:RGO is a prolific artist who has been steadily making a name for himself, known for his versatility, seamlessly blending different styles and genres, and resulting in a sound that is distinctly his own. Fyre, a prominent figure in the Bulgarian hip hop scene, known for his intricate wordplay and his unafraid and unapologetic approach.

100KILA has made a significant impact on the Bulgarian rap scene since his debut during the late 2000s, known for his distinctive style. Skandau, the duo of Lachezar Evtimov and Toto H, have presented themselves with a fusion of styles that has captured thousands of Bulgarian fans. Atanas Kolev, a multifaceted artist whose music often reflects many of listeners. Boro Purvi‘s consistency and versatile talent has launched him to the realm of Bulgarian hip-hop royalty.

From the 1990s onwards, Bulgaria’s rap landscape has experienced moderate growth and development; however, it continues to fall short and trail behind the more prominent European markets. But with numerous leading Bulgarian rap artists display versatility in their music incorporating different styles and genres, and often implementing their own heritage and traditions. As a result, their work frequently combines elements of mainstream music, blending pop melodies with rap lyricism.