Russia has a vibrant and rapidly growing hip-hop scene, and in recent years, the country has produced some of the most exciting and innovative rappers in the world. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Russian rap or just getting into it, there are plenty of talented artists to discover.
In this article, we will showcase the top 12 best Russian rappers to follow in 2023. From veterans who have been in the game for decades to rising stars who are making waves with their fresh sound and unique style, these artists represent the best of what Russian hip-hop has to offer. So get ready to expand your playlist and dive into the world of Russian rap with these must-follow artists.
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Morgenshtern
This Russian rapper was born on 17th February 1998 in Ufa, Bashkortostan, Russia. He is around 24 years old as of 2023. His actual name is Alisher Tagirovich Valeyev. His ALIAS is 1st July, MamaVirgin, DeeneS MC.
He began his career in 2010 and is still active. Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter, music producer, and former YouTuber. His most notable releases are “Do togo kak stal izvesten” “Ulybnis, durak!” “Legendarnaya pyl,” “Million Dollar: Happiness,” and many others.
Morgenshtern has around 7.9 million+ followers on Instagram at @morgen_shtern, more than 2.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify at MORGENSHTERN, and around 14,400+ followers on SoundCloud at MORGENSHTERN.
Basta
He has been in the Russian rapping industry since 1997 and has released many famous albums/songs since his debut. His real name is Vasiliy Mikhaylovich Vakulenko. His ALIAS is Nogano and Basta Bastilio.
Basta was born on 20th April 1980 in Rostov-on-Don, Soviet Union. His age is around 43 years as of 2023. His famous albums/songs are “Баста 1” “Баста 2” “Ноггано. Первый” “Баста 3” “N1nt3nd0” and several others.
This Russian rapper has more than 4.1 million followers on Instagram at @bastaakanoggano, more than 1.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Basta, and it appears that he does not have an official SoundCloud account.
Pharaoh
His actual name is Gleb Gennadyevich Golubin. His age is around 28 years as of 2023. He was born on 30th January 1996 in Moscow, Russia. His ALIAS is Pharaoh.
Pharaoh began his career in 2015 and has been active in the hip-hop industry since then. He is also a songwriter and singer, besides being a rapper. His famous releases are “Rage Mode,” “Million Dollar Depression,” “Blood Oceans,” “PiT,” and many others.
He has around 1.5 million+ followers on Instagram at @coldsiemens, more than 1.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify at PHARAOH, and more than 160,000 followers on SoundCloud at PHARAOH.
Scriptonite
However, he was born in Kazakhstan, but at that time, Kazakhstan was a part of the USSR, and moreover, Scriptonite raps in the Russian language, which is why he is on our Russian rappers’ list.
Scriptonite’s real name is Adil Oralbekovich Zhalelov. He was born on 3rd June 1990 in Leninskoye, Kazakhstan, Pavlodar Region, Kazakh SSR, USSR. His age is around 33 years as of 2023.
He began his career in 2009 and has been in the hip-hop industry since then. His notable releases are “House with Normal Phenomena,” “A Celebration on 36th Street,” “2004,” “Whistles and Papers,” and several others.
This Russian rapper has over 2.2 million followers on Instagram at @real_scrip, more than 2.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Skryptonite, and almost 700 followers on SoundCloud at Scriptonite.
Allj
Besides being a rapper, he is also a hip-hop artist and songwriter. His age is around 29 years as of 2023. His actual name is Alexey Konstantinovich Uzenyuk. His ALIAS is Eldzhey.
He was born on 9th July 1994 in Novosibirsk, Russia. He began his career in 2013 and is still active. His notable releases are “Sayonara Boy ろ” “Sayonara Boy X” “Sayonara Boy 143” and several others.
Allj has more than 4.3 million followers on Instagram at @sayonaraboy, around 2.2 million+ monthly listeners on Spotify at Eldzhey, and it seems like he does not have an official SoundCloud account.
Oxxxymiron
He is among the very famous Russian rappers of his time. His age is around 38 years as of 2023. He was born on 31st January 1985 in Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.
Oxxxymiron’s real name is Miron Yanovich Fyodorov. He began his career in 2008 and has been in the industry ever since. His famous releases are “The Eternal Jew,” “Tentacles,” “CCTV,” “Spontaneous Self-ignition,” “Still an MC,” and many others.
This Russian rapper has around 2.2 million+ followers on Instagram at @norimyxxxo, more than 781,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Oxxxymiron, and around 26,000+ followers on SoundCloud at Oxxxymiron.
Timati
Timati is the most-followed Russian rapper on our list. He was born on 15th August 1983 in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. His real name is Timur Ildarovich Yunusov.
He started his career in 2006 and has been active since then. Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter, singer, actor, actor, and entrepreneur. His notable releases are “Black Star,” “The Boss,” “SWAGG,” “13,” “RELOAD,” “Tranzit,” and several others.
Yunusov has more than 17.9 million followers on Instagram at @timatiofficial, more than 2.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Timati, and around 2,400+ followers on SoundCloud at Timati.
Tatarka
Now we have our first lady Russian rapper on our list. Her age is around 32 years as of 2023. She was born on 21st December 1991 in Naberezhnye Chelny, Tatarstan, RSFSR, USSR. She began her career in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Her real name is Irina Aleksandrovna Smelaya. She started her career in 2015 and has been active since then. Her notable releases are “Altyn,” “U Can Take,” “Pussy Power,” “AU,” “Arriba,” “Vroom,” “Bubblegum,” and several others.
She has around 613,000+ followers on Instagram at @smelaya_ira, more than 252,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Tatarka, and more than 340 followers on SoundCloud at Tatarka.
Noize MC
He has been in the hip-hop industry since 1997 and has released many great songs since his debut. He was born on 9th March 1985 in Yartsevo, Smolensk Oblast, Russian SFSR, USSR.
MC’s real name is Ivan Alexandrovich Alexeyev. Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter, musician, and actor. His famous albums/songs are “The Greatest Hits Vol. 1,” “Latest Album,” “New Album,” “Protivo Gunz,” and many others.
Noize has more than 570,000 followers on Instagram at @noizemc, more than 662,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Noize MC, and around 580+ followers on SoundCloud at Noize MC.
Big Russian Boss
This “boss” Russian rapper was born on 8th June 1991 in Samara, Russia. His age is around 32 years as of 2023. He has been in the hip-hop industry since 2010 and is still shining.
His real name is Igor Alekseevich Lavrov. Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter. His notable releases are “In Bo$$ We Trust,” “I.G.O.R. (International God of Rap),” “G.O.L.D.” and several others.
Igor has around 570,000+ followers on Instagram at @the_boss_hhf, more than 101,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Big Russian Boss, and around 6,800+ followers on SoundCloud at Big Russian Boss HHF.
Slava KPSS
His actual name is Vyacheslav Valerievich Mashnov. His age is around 33 years as of 2023. He was born on 9th May 1990 in Khabarovsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.
Slava started his career in 2012 and has been in the industry since then. Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter and streamer. His notable releases are “HYPE TRAIN,” “Tea for Two,” “Sun of the Dead,” “Dance Music for Adults,” and many others.
He has more than 294,000 followers on Instagram at @kpss_begemot_official, more than 142,500 monthly listeners on Spotify at Slava KPSS, and he has just five followers on SoundCloud at Slava KPSS.
Kasta
Not a Russian rapper but a whole group. Kasta is a hip-hop group that began its journey in 1995 and is still active. They began their career in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
The members of this group are Vlady, Shim, Hamil, and Zmey. Their famous albums/songs are “Dank Kush,” “Louder than Water, Taller than Grass,” “What do We do in Greece,” “Clear!” and many others.
Their Instagram account has 130,000+ followers at @kastainsta, and it appears that they neither have a Spotify nor have a SoundCloud account, but you can still listen to their songs and albums on these platforms.
