Top Philly Rappers
List of 20 Best Rappers from Philadelphia
There is an extensive history of hip hop in “The City of Brotherly Love” as Philly rappers have been known to pioneer gangster rap music and world leaders of battle rap. Rappers from Philadelphia included a long list of legends, expanding from the 1980s with the Fresh Prince (Will Smith) to the late 1990s and 2000s with Eve and Beanie Siegel and State Property to the 2010s and 2020s with Meek Mill and Lil Uzi Vert.
In the beginning, most Philadelphia rappers hailed from West Philly with artists like the Hilltop Hustlers, which consisted of legendary Philly hip hop artists Cool C and Steady B, Three Times Dope, a trio of MCs and DJs, and a handful of others leading the way. Also, in the early days, the Philadelphia hip hop scene it often consist of a duo of DJs and MCs (rap artist) paired and performing together as one whole hip-hop act, like the Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff or DJ Jazz and Robbie B.
Some of the true pioneers of Philly’s rap scene included Jazz Fresh, MC Breeze, Tuff Crew, Parry P, MC Sport, and numerous others. Another pioneer was Schoolly D, an artist that many credit for being the first hip hop artist to venture into gangster rap, while peaking throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. While most remember Eve and Charli Baltimore, but Lady B was truly first of her kind representing for the ladies. Also, as mentioned, DJs played a major role in Philly hip hop. Some of the top DJs were DJ Cash Money, DJ Ease, DJ Too Tuff, DJ Lightnin’ Rich, DJ Spinbad, Cosmic Kev, Sex Machine, or Grandmaster Nell.
The huge rap battle scene also once played an important role into the history of Philly rappers, seeing the start of Cassidy’s career or viewing old clips of Meek Mill with braids rapping in the heart of the streets of Philly. Other top battle rappers were Philly Swain, Tech 9, E. Ness, Kaboom, Rone and many others, while the likes of Cyssero and Reed Dollaz were some of the earlier legends. The rap battling scene of Philadelphia expanded with the help of local DVDs like 2 Raw for The Streets DVD or Headshots DVD, long before YouTube.
The era of State Property, as well other rappers from Philadelphia like Eve and Gillie Da Kid and Major Figgas, would bring new light into the city with the selling of millions of records and solidifying a new generation for the Philadelphia hip hop scene. This era was the most successful due to the national attention that was received.
From performing and holding events at local house parties to performing on tours and in front of sellout shows in arenas and stadiums, from selling records at Funk-O-Mart or Sound of Market to gaining millions of listeners worldwide, the Philadelphia hip hop scene has came a long way.
As those eras came to an end, today’s generation of Meek Mill, PNB Rock (RIP), Lil Uzi Vert, and Tierra Whack have helped continue the tradition of Philly rap music and the success of the city’s hip hop scene. The greatest contributions to Philly’s hip-hop scene have not always necessarily been Lil Uzi Vert or Meek Mill, but the large number of local and regional rappers that are still in the mix and in the heart of the Philadelphia. From AR-AB and Kur to numerous up and coming rappers that have expanded from being local and regional to gaining a nationwide and at times an international reach.
Top 20 Philly Rappers
1. Meek Mill follow on Instagram: @Meek Mill and watch on Youtube: Meek Mill
2. Lil Uzi Vert follow on Instagram: @Lil Uzi Vert and watch on Youtube: Lil Uzi Vert
3. PNB Rock follow on Instagram: @PNB Rock and watch on Youtube: PNB Rock
4. Tierra Whack follow on Instagram: @Tierra Whack and watch on Youtube: Tierra Whack
5. Matt Ox Follow on Instagram: @Matt Ox and watch on Youtube: Matt Ox
6. SimxSantana Follow on Instagram: @Sim Santana and watch on Youtube: Sim Santana
7. YXNG K.A Follow on Instagram: @YXNG K.A and watch on Youtube: YXNG K.A
8. D4M $loan Follow on Instagram: @D4M $loan and watch on Youtube: D4M $loan
9. Leaf Ward Follow on Instagram: @Leaf WArd and watch on Youtube: Leaf Ward
10. Kur follow on Instagram: @Kur and watch on Youtube: Kur
11. Ot7Quanny follow on Instagram: @Ot7Quanny and watch on Youtube: Ot7 Quanny
12. Zahsosaa Follow on Instagram: @ZahSosaa and watch on Youtube: Zah Sosaa
13. PoundSide Pop follow on Instagram: @Poundside Pop and watch on Youtube: Poundside Pop
14. Bry Greatah Follow on Instagram: @Bry Greatah and watch on Youtube: Bry Greatah
15. Lil Rekk Follow on Instagram: @Lil Rekk and watch on Youtube: Lil Rekk
16. Lil Muk Follow on Instagram: @Lil Muk and watch on Youtube: Lil Muk
17. Yung Liv Follow on Instagram: @Yung Liv and watch on Youtube: Yung Liv
18. OZ Sparx follow on Instagram @OZ Sparx and watch on Youtube: OZ Sparx
19. Toure Follow on Instagram: @Toure and watch on Youtube: Toure
20. G1000 Follow on Instagram: @G1000 and watch on Youtube: G1000
Honorable Mention Philly Rappers
– Yak Yola Instagram @Yak Yola and Youtube: Yak Yola
– Hood Tali Instagram: @Hood Tali and Youtube: Hood Tali
– PNB Meen Instagram: @PNB Meen and Youtube: PNB Meen
– 1mere Instagram: @1mere and Youtube: 1mere
– lil buckss Instagram: @lil buckss and Youtube: lil buckss
– G12 Zah Instagram: @G12 Zah and Youtube: G12 Zah
– Mir220 Instagram: @Mir220 and Youtube: Mir220
– Mask down mar Instagram: @Maskdownmar and Youtube: Maskdownmar
– Quilly Instagram: @Quilly and Youtube: Quilly
– 9side Ree Instagram: @9side Ree and Youtube: 9side Ree
– Mamba Cinco Instagram: @Mamba Cinco and Youtube: Mamba Cinco
– nr boor Instagram: @nr boor and Youtube: nr boor
– RecoHavoc Instagram: @Reco Havoc and Youtube: Reco Havoc
Top Rappers from Philadelphia Related Topics:
1 Top 7 Philly R&B Artists List
2 Map of Philly Hoods
3 Top New York City Rappers List
4 Top Atlanta Rappers List
5 Top Baltimore Rappers List
*Unofficial Order. The more popular artists that have a combination of the most followers, streams, views, and most recent releases are near the top.
*If any artists are missing from the list email media@kulturevulturez.com