We’re putting you on to some of the best upcoming rappers, like Ice Spice and Destroy Lonely, to add to your playlists this year!
The rap scene is virtually always brewing new promising artists and it’s hard to keep up, but we’ve got you covered! Keep your eye out for these rap artists who have gained so much ground in 2022 they’re ready to flourish in 2023.
Ice Spice
Now this charming artist is most definitely the rap game’s biggest obsession right now. Hailing straight from the Bronx, NY, she has had one of the best breakout years we’ve seen in the game. She’s pushing the needle and driving the New York drill scene forward to mainstream audiences in her own fun and unique way. The 23 year old rapper’s latest collaboration with PinkPantheress, ‘Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2’ dropped this month, and it instantly became a hit, sitting at #4 on TikTok’s most trending sounds and #14 on Billboard’s top 100 songs.
Over the past year she’s become a hitmaker and dominated TikTok with some of her infamous singles like ‘Bikini Bottom’ and ‘Munch (Feelin’ U)’. Ice Spice is successfully taking advantage of social media to propel her career, but the talent is also undeniable. In her music, you hear the consistent delivery, bars with creative rhetorical elements, and a chill but confident flow, bringing a new sound to the rap scene. Check out her latest EP, Like..?, to get a full taste of this rising rap star.
Destroy Lonely
You’ve probably enjoyed ‘NOSTYLIST’ by Destroy Lonely without even realizing it was him. This song, which is also the title of his album that dropped in 2022, went viral on TikTok because of its magnetic sound and relatable message of being your own stylist and still looking fly. The album is an amazing project showcasing his dynamic cadence and clever lyricism. The young artist has big aspirations that reach beyond attaining accolades and includes delving into other creative mediums like fashion and film. At only 21 years old, the Atlanta native is determined to inspire and be a voice to people. Lonely does not want to be placed in a box; he takes his craft seriously and will continue to prove himself as a top versatile artist.
GloRilla
GloRilla had the summer of 2022 on lock and is ready to bring that momentum into 2023. She made a name for herself, dropping back-to-back sensational hits like grammy nominated “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” and “Tomorrow.” The rapper even secured major cosigns and features from big names in the rap game, collaborating with Cardi B on their track “Tomorrow 2” as well as JT and Latto on “F.N.F. (Let’s Go) [Remix]” produced by Hitkidd. GloRilla is a Memphis native with an aggressive style that stands out amongst the rest, and released her debut EP, Anyways, Life’s Great… in November of 2022, and scored a spot on Billboard’s best songs of 2022 list with her track “Tomorrow 2”. The rookie of the year has indicated that she’s a force to be reckoned with in the game and will continue to rise in 2023.
Lola Brooke
A proud Brooklynite at heart, Lola Brooke is rising and reveling in her moment. She’s already been seen on the biggest stages with some of rap’s household names like Future, Lil Kim, and A Boogie wit da Hoodie. In 2022, she dropped a handful of tracks that punctuated her momentous year like “On My Mind” and her latest release “Here I Come”. She’s on everyone’s watchlist because of her big personality and unwavering talent. She personifies confidence and greatness; and has the stage presence of a seasoned artist, electrically unapologetic. Another artist on the list originating from the New York drill scene, Brooke is expected to have a big year in 2023 and we’re on the lookout for more releases from the star.
Lady London
Rap phenomenon Lady London has a promising future, with skillful storytelling that’s helped her become a viral sensation. London’s bars and hard-hitting freestyles have earned her recognition from industry-loved artists like Diddy, Busta Rhymes, and Timbaland. A lover of poetry from a young age, raised in New York and graduate of Howard University, London has attributed her various exposure to rap and poetry to influencing her forthright sound and music style. Her latest single released earlier this month, “Pop Ya Shit (Freestyle)”, has already placed her on many people’s radar’s with her poetic delivery and captivating lyricism. London is on the come up and in 2023 she will no longer be an underrated artist.
