With its location next to the Mississippi River, Louisiana boasts sizzling hot food, a vibrant live music scene, and round-the-clock nightlife.
Louisiana has long been considered the best rap city, whether it was mainstream artists like No Limit and Cash Money or the city’s underground artists that had made it significant regionally. It’s still leaving its mark on the rap game today.
Today we are bringing you different flavors of Louisiana rap culture to satisfy your cravings for southern music. So, if you want to fully enjoy these flavors, I would suggest reading this article from start to finish.
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Kevin Gates
Born on February 5, 1986, Kevin Jerome Gilyard, professionally known as Kevin Gates, is a Louisiana rapper, musician, and entrepreneur. Currently, he has signed a contract with Bread Winners’. His first studio album, Islah, was released in January 2016 and ranked number two on the US Billboard 200 chart.
- Instagram Account: @iamkevingates
- YouTube Account: Kevin Gates
- Spotify Account: Kevin Gates
Fredo Bang
Another Louisiana rapper, Fredrick Dewon Thomas Givens II, better known by the stage name Fredo Bang is rising in the rap industry with “Oouuh” and “Top” (featuring Lil Durk) as his most popular tracks. He released his first studio album in the market, Most Hated, through Se Lavi Productions and Def Jam Recordings in April 2020.
- Instagram Account: @fredobang
- YouTube Account: Fredo Bang
- Spotify Account: Fredo Bang
Boosie BadAzz
Boosie BadAzz, or Boosie, started his musical journey in the 90s as the leading hip-hop collective Concentration Camp artist. However, he sought a solo career in 2000 by releasing his first album, “Youngest of da Camp.” This prominent figure in Louisiana hip hop has released seven solo studio albums, six collaborative albums, and 42 mixtapes.
Unfortunately, life was not fair with him as he was imprisoned for four years for drug and gun charges. Boosie was also indicted on charges of first-degree murder and was sentenced to 10 years on multiple charges of drug possession with intent to distribute in 2010. After spending 5 years in prison, Boosie was finally released on March 5, 2014.
- Instagram Account: @therealboosieig
- YouTube Account: Boosie BadAzz
- Spotify Account: Boosie BadAzz
Romeo Miller
Romeo Miller shot to fame with his single My Baby and album Lil’ Romeo, which peaked at number 200 on the Billboard 200. He also had the chance to work on the theme song of the movie God’s Gift. Romeo is also a pretty good athlete, and in 2007, Romeo received a basketball scholarship from the USC Trojans.
- Instagram Account: @romeomiller
- YouTube Account: Romeo Miller
- Spotify Account: Romeo Miller
Birdman
Louisiana Rapper Birdman, also known as Baby, created Cash Money Records but merged it with his protegé Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment to form YMCMB. Birdman formed the hip-hop duo Big Tymers and the supergroup Rich Gang are among his other projects. His other business interests include owning an oil company and launching a clothing line.
Juvenile
Juvenile started his music career in the 1990s as a teenage boy who quickly made everybody his fan in the local community. He produced his first album Being Myself, in 1995. A year later, he hit the market with the multi-platinum 400 Degreez, including his first national hits “Ha” and “Back That Azz Up.” He also produced other successful solo albums for his production company Cash Money, including Tha G-Code, Project English, and Juve the Great.
- Instagram Account:@ juviethegreat
- YouTube Account: Juvenile
- Spotify Account: Juvenile
Suicideboys
Suicideboys (stylized as $uicideboy$) is a Louisiana hip hop duo created by cousins Ruby da Cherry and Scrim (stylized as $crim) in 2014. Due to their unique style and harsh lyrics, the duo is considered one of the most famous acts in underground rap and has a cult following. Suicideboys’ released their first studio album, I Want to Die in New Orleans, on September 7, 2018. This album received critical acclaim and became their first top-ten album on the US Billboard 200.
- Instagram Account: @Suicideboys
- YouTube Account: Suicideboys
- Spotify Account: Suicideboys
Master P
Percy Robert Miller Sr., professionally known as Master P, is a Louisiana rapper, record executive, performer, and entrepreneur. Miller achieved stardom initially in the 1990s with the triumph of his fifth solo rap album, Ice Cream Man, which included his first single, “Mr. Ice Cream Man.” His popularity further increased in 1997 after his hit platinum single “Make ‘Em Say Uhh!”.
- Instagram Account:@masterp
- YouTube Account: MASTER P REVIEWS
- Spotify Account: Master P
C-Murder
Corey Miller better known by C-Murder, is another Louisiana rapper and musician. He achieved popularity in the mid-1990s under Master P’s label No Limit Records. Miller released numerous solo albums through the label, including 1998’s platinum Life or Death.
Fiend
Born on May 13, 1976, Richard Jones, professionally known as Fiend or International Jones, is a Louisiana rapper and producer who got fame for his time spent with Master P’s No Limit Records. The fiend has signed a music contract with Jet Life under Warner Bros.
August Alsina
August Anthony Alsina Jr. also known to the world as August Alsina, is a Louisiana musician, rapper, and composer who was previously signed to Def Jam Recordings. He hit the market with his first mixtape, The Product, in 2012. After achieving success with the Platinum-selling singles “I Luv This Shit” (featuring Trinidad James) and “No Love” (featuring Nicki Minaj), Asina released his debut studio album Testimony in 2014.
- Instagram Account: @augustalsina
- YouTube Account: August Alsina
- Spotify Account: August Alsina
Big Freedia
Freddie Ross Jr. was born on January 28, 1978, professionally known as Big Freedia. It was in 2009 that she gained mainstream attention, and released Big Freedia Hitz Vol.1. Several other music videos were also released in March 2011.
- Instagram Account: @bigfreedia
- YouTube Account: Big Freedia
- Spotify Account: Big Freedia
Frank Ocean
Christopher Breaux, better known by the stage name of Frank Ocean, is a Louisiana musician, composer, and rapper. In 2011, Ocean released his debut mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra, which reached new heights of success and signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings.
- Instagram Account: @Frank Ocean
- YouTube Account: Frank Ocean
- Spotify Account: Frank Ocean
Turk
Turk is best known for his time spent with the Hot Boys as a member of Cash Money Records in the late 1990s. His stage name is Turk (sometimes called Young Turk or Hot Boy Turk), and he was born February 8, 1981, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Instagram Account: @hotboyturkynt
- YouTube Account: HOT BOY TURK
- Spotify Account: Young Turk
Lil Wayne
Lastly, we pay homage to the real gem of the Louisiana hip-hop scene, Lil Wayne. Rapper, musician, and composer, Lil Wayne is a significant hip-hop artist of his generation. Initially, a flagship artist for Cash Money Records and then going solo, his albums are top-rated, and he has sold over 120 million records worldwide. After serving an eight-month prison sentence for criminal possession of a weapon, Grammy award-winning rapper Lil Wayne was let out early for his good behavior.
- Instagram Account: @liltunechi
- YouTube Account: Lil Wayne
- Spotify Account: Lil Wayne
