Because of the Atlanta’s dynamic culture, its hip hop mainly was considered party music in the early 1990s. However, with the arrival of Crunk and Trap music in this region, things began to change. Artists such as Oomp Camp and Pastor Troy, who were already making crunk music became more popular.
In recent years though, Atlanta hip hop has changed dramatically thanks to its local rappers, whose music and unique style have become the hottest trendsetters.
Many of Atlanta’s biggest pop stars and leading music artists have used their influence to positively impact worldwide cultures. Here is your chance to check out some of Atlanta’s top rappers who are the most talented in their field.
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Akon
It will be rude to start this article without discussing the living legend of rap from Atlanta; Yup, I am talking about Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, known professionally as Akon.
The Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur became well-known after the release of “Locked Up” (featuring Styles P) on his debut album Trouble (2004) and the release of “Lonely” on his second album.
He was also mentioned in Guinness World Records as the number-one selling musician for master ringtones in the world.
112 (Band)
Pronounced as “one-twelve,” is an R&B group from the land of Atlanta, Georgia. They started their music career back in the 90s and had produced great hits like “Only You” and “Anywhere” in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
One of their singles, “Peaches & Cream,” was nominated for a Grammy Award.
- Instagram Account: @theofficial112
- YouTube Channel: Bad Boy Entertainment
- Spotify Account: 112
21 Savage
Born on October 22, 1992, Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, better goes by the professional name 21 Savage, is a famous young rapper from Atlanta. He gained mainstream attention after releasing two mixtapes in 2015.
After the release of a collaborative E.P.E.P. with Metro Boomin titled Savage Mode (2016), 21 Savage’s singles “X” (featuring Future) and “No Heart” both peaked in the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. The rapper’s profile was also raised by an appearance on Drake’s 2016 song “Sneakin’.”
- Instagram Account: @21savage
- YouTube Channel: 21 Savage
- Spotify Account: 21 Savage
6lack
Known professionally as 6lack (stylized as 6LACK, pronounced “black”), Ricardo Valdez Valentine Jr. is another Atlanta rapper and songwriter. He gained popularity after releasing his hit single, “Prblms,” from his first album, Free 6lack.
After the tremendous success of the first album, he released his second album, East Atlanta Love Letter, in the year 2018, which ranked at number three on the Billboard 200 chart.
Alex Faith
Born on December 27, 1989, Alex Faith is an Atlanta rap singer and songwriter. He released his debut album “ATLast” on November 5, 2013, which peaked at 193 on the US 200 chart.
- Instagram Account: @alexfaithatl
- YouTube Channel: Alex Faith
- Spotify Account: Alex Faith
André 3000
A rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer, André 3000 is one of the main members of Outkast. The group initially signed to the Atlanta-based LaFace label and released its first album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, in 1994.
The album went platinum by the end of the year thanks to the success of the single “Player’s Ball,”. After this tremendous success, Outkast was named Best New Rap Group of the Year at the 1995 Source Awards.
- Instagram Account: @andre3000
- YouTube Channel: Outkast
- Spotify Account: André 3000
Arrested Development (Rap Group)
As one of Atlanta’s hip hop culture pioneers, Arrested Development was formed in Atlanta in 1988. The group’s 1992 debut album, 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life of…, earned the best-selling album spot in the Village Voice’s Pazz ,Jop Critic’s Poll and in The Wire’s Critic’s Poll.
In 1993, the group won two Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Award for Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. After earning Grammy, Rolling Stone named them Band of the Year. Their debut album sold more than 6 million copies worldwide.
- Instagram Account: Arrested Development
- YouTube Channel: Arrested Development
- Spotify Account: Arrested Development
Bobby Creekwater
Antoine Raimon Rogers, known professionally as Bobby Creekwater, is a rapper from the land of Atlanta and a former member of Shady Records.
In 2005, Creekwater released his first mixtape, Anthem to the Streets, a big hit in the music world and received many positive reviews from reputable magazines and artists.
- Instagram Account: @bobby_creekwater
- YouTube Channel: Bobby Creekwater
- Spotify Account: Bobby Creekwater
Bone Crusher
Wayne Hardnett Jr. is another rap artist from Atlanta who is known professionally as Bone Crusher. In 2003, his first album AttenCHUN! ranked No. 1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
His hit single from this album, “Never Scared,” gained the top 10 on the R&B and Rap charts.
- Instagram Account: @therealbonecrusher
- YouTube Channel: BoneCrusherVEVO
- Spotify Account: Bone Crusher
Cash Out
John-Michael Hakim Gibson, known professionally as Cash Out (stylized Ca$h Out), is a rapper born in Columbus but later moved to Atlanta and started his musical journey.
In 2011, he topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “Cashin’ Out,” a semi-eponymous debut single for Epic Records. “She Twerkin,” the lead single from his first album, Let’s Get It, which was dropped on August 26, 2014 also gained critical acclaim from the public.
- Instagram Account: @1cashout
- YouTube Channel: Cash Out
- Spotify Account: Cash Out
Cool Breeze
The Dungeon Family member and the pioneer of Atlanta hip hop, Cool Breeze, was born on August 12, 1971. He released his first solo album East Point’s Greatest Hit, in the market in 1999.
In 2001, Cool joined a group called Sniper Unit and became Freddie Calhoun. His hit single “Watch for the Hook” featuring Goodie Mob, Outkast, and Witchdoctor ranked #1 on the Billboard Rap charts.
- Instagram Account: @freddie_calhoun_10
- YouTube Channel: CoolBreezeVEVO
- Spotify Account: Cool Breeze
Cyhi The Prynce
Atlanta rapper, singer, songwriter, and musician Cydel Charles Young is professionally known as CyHi da Prynce. He gained attention in 2010 due to his collaboration with fellow American rapper Kanye West.
Later, the singer appeared on West’s highly acclaimed album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. In November 2017, he released his first album in the market, titled “No Dope on Sundays,” under Sony Music.
- Instagram Account: @Cyhi
- YouTube Channel: Cyhi
- Spotify Account: Cyhi the Prynce
Donnis
A young and talented rapper from Atlanta, Georgia, Donnis is the stage name of Ladonnis Decurtis Crump. In 2009, he released his debut mixtape, Diary of an ATL Brave, and in 2010, he signed a contract with Atlantic Records.
- Instagram Account: @dennistherapper
- YouTube Channel: DONNISMUSIC
- Spotify Account: Donnis
Dun Deal
Dun Deal is the stage name of David Maximillian Cunningham, an Atlanta-based record producer, songwriter, and rapper. His hit singles “RAF,” Young Thug’s single “Stoner,” and Migos’ single “Hannah Montana” earned him all the popularity he deserved for his talent.
Dun has also collaborated with Gucci Mane, Usher, Trey Songz, Future, Drake, Rich Homie Quan, and Kevin Gates to produce the sensational hit numbers. Currently, he is signed to Artist Publishing Group.
- Instagram Account: @dundealonthetrak
- YouTube Channel: Dundeal TV
- Spotify Account: Dun Deal
Freak Nasty
Another rapper and recording artist from the 90s, Freak Nasty, is still famous for his Top 40 hit single “Da’ Dip,” released in 1996 (our parents’ favourite).
This popularity boosted his confidence, and he hit the public with another single, “Do What U Feel” from his album Which Way Is Up, but unfortunately, the song failed to inspire the public and peaked at 87 on the Hot R&B charts.
- Instagram Account: @freaknastydadip
- YouTube Channel: Freak Nasty
- Spotify Account: Freak Nasty
Goodie Mob
Let’s talk about another hip-hop group from Atlanta that went by Goodie Mob’s name in the 90s. The band was formed in 1991 by the leading members of the band, Big Gipp and T-Mo. Goodie Mob released their first album in 1995, titled Soul Food, which was considered a big hit and was given gold certification.
Unlike other rappers who talk about love, they target different social issues and problems in their songs. Due to their unique style, Mob’s single “Cell Therapy” peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart.
- Instagram Account: @goodiemob
- YouTube Channel: Goodie Mob
- Spotify Account: Goodie Mob
Gucci Mane
Whoever loves to listen to rap music is already familiar with his name. Gucci Mane is an Atlanta-based rapper and record executive. His real name is Radric Delantic Davis Jr. and was born on February 12, 1980.
Among fellow Atlanta-based rappers, Gucci helped invent the hip hop subgenre of trap music alongside T.I. and Young in particular during the 2000s and 2010s.
Trap House was Gucci Mane’s debut album in 2005, followed by Hard to Kill in 2006. In 2007, he released Back to the Trap House, his third studio album.
- Instagram Account: @laflare1017
- YouTube Channel: Gucci Mane
- Spotify Account: Gucci Mane
Gunna
Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Giavanni Kitchens, is an American rapper and singer, best known for collaborations with Young Thug and Lil Baby. Because of his talent, he signed a music contract with record label YSL Records, 300 Entertainment, and Atlantic Records
Hoodrich Pablo Juan
Born on October 28, 1989, Hoodrich Pablo Juan, real name is Sterling Leroy Pennix Jr. is an Atlanta rapper. After releasing his hit single “We Don’t Luv Em” track, he gained popularity.
Pennix started his rap journey in 2014 by producing a single titled “Go Get Money .”Besides this, he collaborated with Peewee Longway’s to produce “African Diamonds” track.
- Instagram Account: @hoodrichpablojuanfp
- YouTube Channel: HOODRICH PRODUCTIONS
- Spotify Account: Hoodrich Pablo Juan
Killer Mike
Michael Santiago Render, known professionally as Killer Mike, is an Atlanta-based rapper, actor, and activist.
A Grammy-winning song, “The Whole World,” was the first single Mike contributed to Outkast’s 2000 album Stankonia, and he later appeared on their greatest hits collection Big Boi & Dre Present… Outkast (2001).
- Instagram Account: @killermike
- YouTube Channel: Killer Mike
- Spotify Account: Killer Mike
Lil Jon
Jonathan H. Smith is the actual name of Atlanta rapper Lil Jon. He was the leading man of the iconic rap group Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz.
With his Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 singles such as “Get Low,” “Goodies,” “Cyclone,” and “Freek-a-Leek,” he brought rap into mainstream popularity. Lil single “Yeah!” won the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance.
Lil Nas X
Admit it, we are all in love with the songs of Lil Nas X but do you know that this Atlanta proud son’s actual name is Montero Lamar Hill. Nas X was born on April 9, 1999.
His fame grew after he released his country rap single “Old Town Road,” which became a viral sensation in early 2019, climbed music charts globally, and became diamond-certified by the end of that year.
“Old Town Road” was Lil Nas X’s first hit, and then he released his debut extended play, 7, which yielded two more hits, including “Panini” (featuring Cardi B or Nas) and “Rodeo” (featuring Kanye West).
Among the chart-topping singles from Montero’s debut studio album, 2021, were “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” and “Industry Baby” (with Jack Harlow) and the top ten single, “That’s What I Want”.
Left Eye
A female rapper from the land of Atlanta emerged by the name Left Eye. She was one of the R&B girl group TLC members, along with other fellow artists like Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas.
With “Not Tonight” and “U Know What’s Up,” Lopes scored two US top 10 singles. After achieving tremendous success, Eye collaboration with Melanie C of the British girl group Spice Girls which resulted in UK number one hit song. Sadly, this melodious voice was silent forever on April 25, 2002.
- Instagram Account: @legendary.lefteye
- YouTube Channel: LeftEye
- Spotify Account: LeftEye
Usher
Although Usher was born in Dallas, Texas, he started his musical career in Atlanta, Georgia. His debut album, Usher (1994), brought him fame in the late 1990s, and his second album, My Way (1997), catapulted him to fame in the early 2000s.
In the United States, it led to his first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, “Nice & Slow,” and the top-two singles “You Make Me Wanna…” and “My Way.”
Young BloodZ
Young BloodZ is a hip hop duo from Atlanta, Georgia, composed of J-Bo and Sean P. Their first album, Against Da Grain, was released in 1999 on LaFace.
The band gained popularity by releasing singles like “U-Way” (1999) and “85” (2000), which featured Big Boi. After producing hit singles, they took a 3-years break and returned with another hit “Cadillac Pimpin” in 2003.
- Instagram Account: @youngbloodzatl
- YouTube Channel: YoungBloodZ
- Spotify Account: YoungBloodZ
Young Thug
Known as one of America’s most famous rappers, Young Thug is considered an influential figure of his generation, whose music has impacted the modern hip hop and trap sound.
Besides his singles “Stoner” and “Danny Glover,” Young Thug made appearances on several other singles during 2014, such as T.I. ‘s “About the Money,” Tyga’s “Hookah,” and Rich Gang’s “Lifestyle.”
He signed to Lyor Cohen’s 300 Entertainment in the same year and worked on a mixtape, Rich Gang: Tha Tour Pt. 1.
- Instagram Account: @young.thug.world
- YouTube Channel: Young Thug
- Spotify Account: Young Thug
Jeezy
Another gem from Atlanta, Jay Wayne Jenkins, known professionally as Jeezy. He signed a music contract with Def Jam Recordings in 2004 and released Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 the following year, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, selling 172,000 copies in its first week.
