Top Rappers from New York City

List of the Best New York Rappers

The birthplace and the one and only true mecca of Hip Hop by spearheading the world’s most highly imitated genre of music has fallen from its once dominant presence as New York rappers have for long been overshadowed by southern hip hop.  Emerging onto the scene during the late 1970s, the 1980s was the era that hip hop music began to build its foundation, first on the streets of New York City and later spreading across America and eventually across the world. 

It has been said that during the summer of 1973, along Sedgewick Avenue in the South Bronx, a local teenager who later become known as DJ Kool Herc was asked to provide entertainment for a local neighborhood party.  As history would have it, Hip Hop was born on that day, and DJ Kool Herc gained the title “Father of Hip Hop”.  In its early days hip-hop would include MCing, or rapping, DJing, graffiti artists, and break-dancers, all forms were very popular through the 1970s and 1980s, or at least until gangster rap took over.

The first rappers from New York that should be praised as the first true name brand rap artists came out that began the formation of the growth of hip hop included top rappers of the 1980s, like Kurtis Blow, Slick Rick, Run DMC, Rakim, LL Cool J, KRS-One, and numerous others.  While the 1980s started the popularity of hip-hop, the 1990s was the golden era for the genre.  In the 1990s some of the greatest artists of all-time would begin their successful careers, artists like Jay-Z, Nas, Notorious BIG, Wu-Tang, DMX, Kool G Rap, Big L, and many more representing all five boroughs of New York, even sections of North Jersey, Westchester County, and Long Island.

The 2000s was the beginning of the end for New York rappers.  While rappers from New York started off strong during the 2000s, with Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella, DMX and Ruff Ryders, Nas continuing his success, the nationwide movement started by Cam’ron and the Diplomats, and 50 Cent’s introduction with the classic album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, eventually the south would takeover hip hop and rap music.

Today is a new era for New York rappers as a large roster of top rappers from New York have once again created a booming rap scene that is soon to repeat its reign over the rap game.  While there are some familiar faces, like Jadakiss, Fabolous, 50 Cent, and Styles P, that still have a presence and a large following, there are dozens of new New York rappers that are bringing the title rightfully back to the city.  From New York drill music to mainstream artists, New York is officially back as the leader of hip hop and the list below will prove just that.

Top 30 New York Rappers

1. Cardi B 
Follow on Instagram: @Cardi B and watch videos on Youtube: Cardi B

2. French Montana
Follow on Instagram: @French Montana and watch videos on Youtube: French Montana

3. Nicki Minaj
Follow on Instagram: @Nicki Minaj and watch videos on Youtube: Nicki Minaj

4. Lil TJay
Follow on Instagram: @Lil TJay and watch videos on Youtube: Lil TJay

5. A Boogie wit da Hoodie
Follow on Instagram: @A Boogie wit da Hoodie and watch videos on Youtube: A Boogie wit da Hoodie

6. Pop Smoke
Follow on Instagram: @Pop Smoke and watch videos on Youtube: Pop Smoke

7. Lil Tecca
Follow on Instagram: @Lil Tecca and watch videos on Youtube: Lil Tecca

8. Fivio Foreign
Follow on Instagram: @Fivio Foreign and watch videos on Youtube: Fivio Foreign

9. Young M.A
Follow on Instagram: @Young M.A and watch videos on Youtube: Young M.A

10. J.I.
Follow on Instagram: @J.I. and watch videos on Youtube: J.I.

11. Rich the Kid
Follow on Instagram: @Rich the Kid and watch videos on Youtube: Rich the Kid

12. Sheff G
Follow on Instagram: @Sheff G and watch videos on Youtube: Sheff G

13. Sleepy Hallow
Follow on Instagram: @Sleepy Hallow and watch videos on Youtube: Sleepy Hallow

14. ASAP Ferg
Follow on Instagram: @ASAP Ferg and watch videos on Youtube: ASAP Ferg

15. Dave East
Follow on Instagram: @Dave East and watch videos on Youtube: Dave East

16. Dream Doll 
Follow on Instagram: @Dream Doll and watch videos on Youtube: Dream Doll

17. 22 Gz
Follow on Instagram: @22 Gz and watch videos on Youtube: 22 Gz

18. Flipp Dinero
Follow on Instagram: @Flipp Dinero and watch videos on Youtube: Flipp Dinero

19. Ron Suno
Follow on Instagram: Ron Suno and watch videos on Youtube: Ron Suno

20. Stunna Gambino
Follow on Instagram: @Stunnqa Gambino and watch videos on Youtube: Stunna Gambino

21. Sheck Wes
Follow on Instagram: Sheck Wes and watch videos on Youtube: Sheck Wes

22. Joey Badass
Follow on Instagram: @Joey Badass and watch videos on Youtube: Joey Badass

23. Jay Critch
Follow on Instagram: @Jay Critch and watch videos on Youtube: Jay Critch

24. Rah Swish
Follow on Instagram: @Rah Swish and watch videos on Youtube: Rah Swish

25. Bizzy Banks
Follow on Instagram: @Bizzy Banks and watch videos on Youtube: Bizzy Banks

26. Don Q 
Follow on Instagram: @Don Q and watch videos on Youtube: Don Q

26. Smoove’L
Follow on Instagram: @Smoove’L and watch videos on Youtube: Smoove’L

27. Justin Rarri
Follow on Instagram: Justin Rarri and watch videos on Youtube: Justin Rarri

28. Melvoni
Follow on Instagram: @Melvoni and watch videos on Youtube: Melvoni

29. 26AR
Follow on Instagram: @26AR and watch videos on Youtube: 26AR

30. Nebu Kiniza
Follow on Instagram: @Nebu Kiniza and watch videos on Youtube: Nebu Kiniza

Honorable Mention Rappers from New York

Keyu
Follow on Instagram: @Keyu and watch on Youtube: Keyu

Jay Gwuapo
Follow on Instagram: @Jay Gwuapo and watch videos on Youtube: Jay Gwuapo

TJ Porter
Follow on Instagram: @TJ Porter and watch on Youtube: TJ Porter

Eli Fross 
Follow on Instagram: @Eli Fross and watch on Youtube: Eli Fross

Leeky G Bando
Follow on Instagram: @Leeky G Bando and watch on Youtube: Leeky G Bando

Edot Baby
Follow on Instagram: @Edot Baby and watch on Youtube: Edot Baby

Coach Da Ghost
Follow on Instagram: @CoachDaGhost and watch on Youtube: CoachdaGhost

Smooky MarGielaa
Follow on Instagram: @Smooky MarGielaa and watch on Youtube: Smooky MarGielaa

MAx Tha Demon
Follow on Instagram: @MaxThaDemon and watch on Youtube: MaxTheDemon

Ciggy Blacc
Follow on Instagram: @Ciggy Blacc and watch on Youtube: Ciggy Blacc

R.I.P

Pop Smoke   |   Nick Blixky

Fred the Godson   |   Kiing Shooter

KJ Balla

Top New York Rappers Related Topics:

1 Top Upstate New York Rappers

2 Top Chicago Rappers List

3 Top Female Rappers List

4 Top Atlanta Rappers List

*If any artists are missing from the list email media@kulturevulturez.com

*Unofficial Order, with the more popular artists that have the largest followers and subscribers, along with having the most recent views, being near the top.