15 Best Rappers From Philly

Meek Mill who was born Robert Rihmeek Williams, a rapper from Philadelphia, commenced his music career as a battle rapper.

A YouTube video of him rapping straight to the camera, uploaded in 2014, shows the drive and passion in his eyes.

Midst the process of making it big in the industry, the rapper even formed a group, The Bloodhoundz, that didn’t last long. 

The Philly rapper released his debut studio album, Dreams, and Nightmares, in 2012. The album featured various prominent names including Nas, Drake, Rick Ross, and more.

An American music magazine, Spin Magazine, named Dreams and Nightmares as the fifteenth-best hip-hop album in 2012.

Correspondingly, Mill’s debut album also made its way to the list of top five hip-hop albums in 2012 made by XXL, an American hip-hop magazine.

Mill has released five studio albums as of January 2023 that include Dreams Worth More Than Money, Championships, Expensive Pain, and Wins & Losses.

The Philly rapper launched his own record label, Dream Chasers Records, on October 26, 2012.

Meek was in a relationship with a well-known rapper Nicki Minaz between early 2015 and early 2017. He accompanied Minaz on the opening act of her 2015 world tour.

The rapper is a father to three children. He shares two sons, Murad Williams and Rihmeek Willimas, with his former partner, Fahimah Raheem.

Whereas, Mill welcomed a son, Czar Williams, with his now ex-girlfriend, Milan Rogue Harris, founder of Milano Di Rouge. Czar was born on May 6, 2020.

Meek and Milan amicably separated ways after starting a family together. They co-parent Czar and still remain good friends.

Naseem Rafeeq Young widely recognized as 2Rare is a young rapper from Philadelphia.

His single, Big Bag, led him to the spotlight, landing him a joint venture with record labels Internet Monet, 10K Projects, and Homemade Projects.

The rapper’s notability increased after the release of his 2020 single, Big Drippa. Likewise, 2Rare’s 2022 song Cupid went insanely viral on TikTok. 

The unreleased version of his new song, Rare’s Room, has been making significant rounds across various social platforms on the web as of January 2023.

Many users on TikTok have filmed themselves dancing to the song. They have started a dancing trend and challenge on the social platform.

The lip synchronizing application truly holds the power to make a song into a global hit and a rising artist turn into a star overnight.

Correspondingly, 2Rare has also made great use of TikTok to promote his song and reach the target audience. 

He shared many TikTok videos grooving to the snippet of his unreleased song, Rares Room, on his Instagram feed. 

The Philadelphian rapper has himself danced to the song on his TikTok handle which has accumulated a gigantic number of likes of 21.9 million.

He is available across various streaming platforms. 2Rare has 4.1 million monthly listeners on his Spotify and 160K subscribers on his YouTube channel.

2Rare has appeared in various notable rappers’ music videos including Drake, Lil Durk, and more.

He made an appearance on  NLE Choppa’s single, Do It Again, on October 2022. The song has amassed a massive number of streams currently over 51 million.

Ivy Sole is a Philadelphian queer rapper. The multi-hyphenate musician has earned features in Billboard, NPR, Pitchfork, and more.

Ivy who was born Taylor C. McLendon grew up in a Southern Baptist Church where the rapper received all the vocal training.

Taylor began their solo music career with the release of their debut mixtape titled Eden in 2016.

Extended plays, West and the East followed the mixtape, Eden. The rapper released their debut full-length album Overgrown in 2018. 

They attended a concert by Mac Miller featuring Rapsody and Nicki Minaz a week after their 18th birthday. The rapper considers them as their inspiration.

Sole released their third full-length project, CANDID, on February 2, 2022, following the release of the mixtape, Eden. 

Sole even tattooed the album name under their chin for the album personally means a lot to them, revealed the Philadelphian rapper.

The rapper shared a carousel of screenshots comprising some of their favorite reactions to the album on their Instagram feed. 

One of the tweets penned that the only person they’ll allow to make them cry at 7:43 in the morning is none other than Ivy.

Correspondingly, another tweet wrote that the rapper succeeded in consolidating a perfect album based on structure, cohesiveness, replay value, and palatability.

Ivy has 174,949 monthly listeners on Spotify. Whereas her song, Dream Girl, has amassed over 9 million streams on the streaming platform.

They have made guest appearances on various songs including Cro- ‘fake you’ from tru, B4bonah- ‘Lies’ from User, Myles Cream-‘Peace’ from Grillo, and more.

YXNG KA is a young Philadelphian rapper who has established himself in the industry in nearly no time.

He is widely known for his hit single, Forever Committed. The notability of the single led him to sign with the notable record label, Interscope Records.

Born on April 12, 2003, YXNG K.A. signed the contract with  Interscope when he was just 17. He was calm regardless of being signed to such a big record label at a young age.

In May 2020 YXNG put out his debut extended play titled BABY REAPER after signing the contract.

The rapper himself chose the latter word, Reaper, for his debut EP, Baby Reaper, which describes his personality as a discreet person, YXNG unveiled himself.

The rapper released his latest song, Face My Fears, on September 28, 2022. The song has successfully stockpiled over 446K views on the rapper’s YouTube channel.

I’m the type to face my fears, don’t know ’bout y’all, the rapper starts the song.

YXNG has earned features in various artists ‘ works including ‘Love Is War’ by Seyi Vibez and I’m the man now by Paris Bryant.

He began writing songs after betting with his friends that he could write songs. Before indulging in music, the rapper was into sports, especially football and basketball.

The rapper has over 180K monthly listeners on his Spotify. His song, Love Me, boasts over 2 million streams on the streaming platform.

He is often seen sporting his signature look with three layers of heavy bedazzled diamond Cuban chain on his neck.

YXNG KA has also maintained a sizable social following on his Instagram account currently over 194K. 

Rakim Hasheem Allen, aka PnB Rock, was a notable rapper from Philadelphia who breathed his last on September 12, 2022.

He had risen to the limelight with the release of his song ‘Selfish’ in 2016. It was from his mixtape GTTM: Goin Thru the Motions. The single reached number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The 30-year-old rapper was shot to death on September 12, 2022, at Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles in South Los Angeles. 

PnB Rock shared a daughter, Milan Allen, with his partner, Stephanie Sibounheuang. He saved his partner by throwing her under the table, Stephanie said in an Instagram post.

PnB Rock released two studio albums, Catch These Vibes and TrapStar Turnt PopStar, in 2017 and 2019 respectively. 

His second studio album, TrapStar Turnt PopStar, peaked in the top five of the Billboard 200 charts. 

Born to a Muslim family in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, PnB Rock was raised by a single child. His father was murdered when he was just three.

The late rapper put out his debut mixtape, Real N*gga Bangaz, on June 24, 2014, while he was locked up behind the bars.

Allen descended his debut studio album, Catch These Vibes, on November 17, 2017, under Atlantic Records. It has 18 tracks with guest appearances from Roy Woods, Wiz Khalifa, and more.

Correspondingly, PnB Rock had been featured in various artists’ songs including Ed Sheeran’s Cross Me. 

Lil Muk is a rapper who is well-recognized for his 2019 singles ‘Fly Away,’ ‘Wildin,’ and ‘Like You.’

Initially, he made a significant impact with the release of his singles between 2019 and 2020, particularly ‘Best for You.’ The music video of the song has stockpiled millions of views.

He was born on June 28, 2001, in Philadelphia. The 23-year-old rapper grew up in the Olney neighborhood.

Before Muk made his way into the mainstream rap industry, the rapper released his song titled ‘Gang Wit Me’ on Soundcloud.

He has 43.5K subscribers on his self-titled YouTube channel. Similarly, Muk has also amassed a sizable following currently of 83.3K on his Instagram.

Muk put out his single ‘ON 5IVe’ in 2022. Correspondingly, the rapper released another single ‘KISS & TELL’ in the same year.

Cassidy, born Barry Adrian Reese, is best recognized for his singles ‘Hotel,’ ‘Get No Better,’ ‘I’m a Hustla,’ and ‘My Drink n My 2 Step.’

Initially, he drew attention as a battle rapper. Swizz Beatz, an American record producer, discovered him in 2002 and signed him to his record label, Full Surface Records.

His notability escalated in nearly no time after signing the record. Cassidy put out his debut studio album, Split Personality, in March 2004.

 The 40-year-old rapper’s debut album peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200, making him a respected name in the Philly streets.

He has reigned the rapping industry as one of the incredible freestyles for almost two decades. His genres alternate between soulful R&B and barred-up rhymes.

Besides rapping, the rapper has involved himself in other ventures. He signed a deal with Lot 29’s fall clothing line in 2007.

The veteran rapper has released seven studio albums until January 2023. His latest being ‘Da Wiseman’ which was put out on February 18, 2021.

Similarly, Cassidy has descended sixteen mixtapes including The Hustlas Home, Put Ya L in the Sky, Apply Pressure 2, Don’t Trust Anyone, and more.

Tariq Luqmaan Trotter, better known by his professional name Black Thought, is one of the most skilled rappers of his era.

He is the lead master of ceremony of the Philadelphia-based hip-hop group, The Roots. The rapper founded the group with Questlove, a drummer.

The 49-year-old rapper was highly praised for his live performance skills, lyricism, rhyming style, continuous multisyllabic rhyming technique, and more.

Besides the music industry, Tariq also made his debut in the acting industry. He has starred in various movies including Perfume,  Bamboozled, Brooklyn Babylon, and more.

He exchanged wedding vows with his wife, Michelle, in 2010. The couple shares five children, four sons and a daughter from their togetherness.

The rapper from Philadelphia has put out three studio albums and three extended plays until January 2023.

He has made several musical guest performances including ‘Pimpas  Paradise,’ ‘Hard Hitters,’ ‘Stolen Moments Part 2,’ ‘X-Ecutioner Style,’ and more.

From the debut album ‘The Roots’ until his 2022 release, Cheat Codes with Danger Mouse, the veteran rapper has never wavered from his goals to date.

Lil Uzi Vert is a rapper born on July 31, 1995, in North Philadelphia’s Francisville neighborhood.

The 27-year-old rapper is recognizable among the crowd from their distinct facial tattoos, hairstyles, and facial piercings.

Lil Uzi Vert changed their pronouns to they/them in July 2022 on their Instagram. Their spokesperson later confirmed the news in a statement to an online music publication, Pitchfork.

They drew attention initially following the release of the commercial mixtape Luv Is Rage in 2015. It led them to sign a contract under DJ Drama’s Generation Now imprint.

The Philly rapper later accumulated mainstream attention with the release of their debut single ‘Money Longer,’ in 2016.

They were into drugs previously; however, they announced attempting sobriety following the accidental demise of rapper Lil Peep.

Lil Uzi had a 10-carat pink diamond implant on their forehead previously. It was the cartoon, Steven Universe, which influenced them to want to get the implant in 2017.

They removed the diamond implant only to reimplant it again for their performance at Rolling Loud.

During the crowd surfing at the event, fans ripped the diamond from their forehead. That said, they didn’t suffer serious damage and still had the diamond.

They are an award-winning rapper who has made it to the list of various coveted awards until January 2023.

They bagged the MTV Video Music Awards for the category of song of Summer in 2017. They were nominated at AMA 2020 for ‘Favourite Rap/ Hip-Hop Album.

The rapper from Philadelphia, Vinnie Paz, is the frontman of the Army of the Pharaohs. 

Likewise, Vincenzo Luvineri, aka Vinnie, is the producer of Jedi Mind Tricks, a Philadelphia underground hip-hop group. 

The rapper is highly appreciated for his sense of heavy lyrics which often include political and religious themes. He is also well-recognized for his aggressive vocal style.

Vinnie put out his debut solo album titled Season of the Assassin after nearly two decades after the initiation of his rapping career.

The debut solo album which featured Paul Wall, Ill Bill, and Clipse made its way to number 25 on the US Billboard rap charts. 

Until January 2023, Vinnie has put out seven solo albums. The rapper descended his latest solo album, Tortured in the Name of God’s Unconditional Love, in 2022.

He was born on October 5, 1977, in Italy; however, later his family relocated to Philadelphia. Vinnie has both American and Italian citizenship.

Vinnie created his own independent record label, Enemy Soil, and released his second EP, Carry on Tradition, on October 29, 2013, under his own label.

Paz was raised in a Catholic household; however, he is now a Muslim. Every so often he incorporates his religion and values into his lyrics. 

‘erring slave of Allah, ever in need of his mercy,’ Vinnie’s Instagram bio reads. Paz is also a polo and sneaker enthusiast.

Furthermore, the 45-year-old American rapper is also a huge heavy metal fan. His latest release ‘Slight Rebellion off Madison’ has amassed over 548K views on YouTube.

Willard Carroll Smith II, widely known as Will Smith, needs no introduction given his immense popularity.

He initiated his rapping career with family-friendly and feel-good rap songs. That said, it has been some time since Smith has been addressed as a rapper.

Smith was also a part of DJ Jazzy Jef & the Fresh Prince, a hip-hop duo from West Philadelphia, alongside DJ Jeff Townes.

The duo’s work including ‘Parents Just Don’t Understand’ and ‘Summertime’ accumulated a lot of positive reviews from critics.

Let alone positive reviews, the duo racked Grammy Awards for the rap category in 1988. They also got backlash from those who believed there were more deserving artists than them.

Regardless of backlashes, the group racked up three American Music Awards (AMA) out of five nominations until January 2023.

The duo’s most successful single Summertime earned them their second Grammy award in 1992. The single reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

He was dismissed for putting out a pop appeal and family-friendly tracks. Nonetheless, his capability to draw attention and storytelling has made him one of the best Philly rappers out there.

Will kicked off his solo career with the release of ‘Men in Black’ in 1997. The song peaked singles charts in several regions across the globe including the United Kingdom.

Smith has put out four studio albums, 18 singles, 20 music videos, one video album, and one compilation album until January 2023. 

Ricardo Emmanuel Brown, better recognized as Kurupt, is one-half of the rap duo Tha Dogg Pound alongside Daz Dillinger.

He was born in Philadelphia on November 23, 1972. The rapper relocated to Los Angeles when he was 16. Later, he moved to Hawthorne before settling in South Los Angeles.

Kurupt signed a contract with Death Row Records when he was 19 in 1992. There at the record label, he crossed paths with artists including Daz Dillinger, Snoop Dogg, and more.

Shortly, Daz and Kurupt teamed up to become a rap duo, Tha Dogg Pound. 

The duo earned a feature on Snoop Dogg’s song ‘For All My Niiggaz & Bitchezz from his debut solo album, Doggystyle.

Kurupt signed with A&M Records following his departure from Death Row Records. The rapper then put out his solo album Kuruption in 1988.

The 50-year-old rapper has released six studio albums and three collaboration albums, one EP, and seven singles until January 2023.

Kurupt released his latest studio album 7PS Tha Gotti Way and a collaboration album, Don’t Be Stupid with C-Mob, both in 2022.

He shares a son Tren Brown with his ex-fiance Natina Reed, an American rapper. The couple parted ways after they welcomed their child.

Kurupt tied the knot with his now ex-wife, Jovan Brown, in 2007. Jovan filed for divorce after a decade of togetherness in 2017.

Jesse Bonds Weaver Jr., better known by his stage name Schoolly D is a rapper from Philadelphia.

The 60-year-old rapper has put out eleven studio albums to date. He released his self-titled debut album in 1985 on Schoolly D Records.

Schoolly D released his latest album Cause Schoolly D Is Crazy on December 30, 2022. 

The rapper’s lyrics were a mirror of violence and urban realism. However, he incorporated an Afrocentric style into his songs, making Afrocentric culture known to the industry.

He was a rising rapper when New York City was at the pinnacle of the hip-hop universe. Schoolly D was among those rare rappers who drew attention coming from outside New York.

Tierra Whack is a rapper who went by the moniker ‘Dizzle Dizz’ in the initial days of her career.

It was in 2017 when the rapper reverted her stage name to her birth name. She put out her debut studio album, Whack World, on May 30, 2018.

The rapper received immense critical acclaim following the release of her debut studio album. She acquired an accolade from Pitchfork as ‘Best New Music.’

Whack was raised by a single mother alongside her two younger siblings. She has an estranged relationship with her father.

Growing up, Tierra was an introverted child hence, writing was the only way to cope with her feelings and insecurities.

She began her rapping journey in battle rapping. Tierra grew up watching artists like Andre 3000 and Eminem whom she considers her inspirations.

The 27-year-old rapper credits her mother as one of the biggest sources of inspiration in her life. 

A fact about the rapper is that Whack is severely allergic to insects. She satirized the condition in her 2018 track ‘Bugs Life.’

Whack put out her debut solo single Dora in 2020. She has released three extended plays, ‘Rap?’ ‘Pop?’ and ‘R&B?’ until January 2023.

Beanie Sigel, born Dwight Equan Grant is a veteran rapper from South Philadelphia. 

He first drew attention with the release of his debut studio album, The Truth, in February 2000 which gained significant commercial success.

Likewise, Sigel’s second studio album, The Reason, also was a success, nonetheless, it received mixed reviews from the critics. 

Beanie’s third album, The B. Coming, made its way to number 3 on the Billboard 200. 

After a brief hiatus, the Philly rapper returned to the music industry in 2007. He put out his fourth album, The Solution, after the comeback.

He released his fifth and sixth studio albums, The Broad Street Bully and This Time independently after departing with Roc-A-Fella Records.

Sigel was widely known for his association with Jay Z. Later, he tangled himself in the strings of controversies surrounding his diss song to his former mentor and boss Jay-Z.

The diss track, I Go Off, with 50 Cent made significant rounds on the web. Jay-Z and Beanie united at the Tidal B-Sides Concert, ending the controversy once and for all.

Beanie has put to six studio albums and three collaboration albums until January 2023.