Memphis, Tennessee is known for its rich history in music, particularly in blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. But in recent years, the city has also emerged as a hotbed for rap and hip-hop. With a distinctive sound that blends Southern bounce, bluesy samples, and hard-hitting lyrics, Memphis rap has been making waves in the industry and attracting a growing fanbase.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the 15 best Memphis rappers to listen to right now. From legendary icons who have paved the way for the genre to up-and-coming artists who are pushing the boundaries of Memphis rap, these rappers are sure to bring a fresh and exciting energy to your playlist. So whether you’re a long-time fan of Memphis rap or just discovering it for the first time, these artists are definitely worth checking out.
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Young Dolph
Dolph had been in the rapping industry from 2006 to 2021 until his death. Yes! This Memphis rapper died when someone shot him in Memphis, Tennessee. He was born on 27th July 1985 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
His real name is Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. His age was 36 years at the time of his death. Besides being a rapper, he was also a songwriter. He had two kids and was married to Mia Jaye.
Some of his famous albums/songs are “King of Memphis,” “Bulletproof,” “Thinking Out Loud,” “Role Model,” “Dum and Dummer,” “Rich Slave,” “Paper Route Frank,” and many others.
He had around 4.8 million+ followers on Instagram at @youngdolph, more than 5.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Young Dolph, and around 231,000+ followers on SoundCloud at Young Dolph.
NLE Choppa
His actual name is Bryson Lashun Potts. He began his career in 2018 and has been in the industry since then. He was born on 1st November 2002 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Choppa’s age is around 19 years as of 2021. Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter. His famous releases are “Top Shotta,” “CAPO,” “Walk Em Down,” “Final Warning,” “Track 1,” “Jumpin,” and several others.
He has more than 4.6 million followers on Instagram at @nlechoppamusic, more than 11.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify at NLE Choppa, and more than 793,000 followers on SoundCloud at NLE Choppa.
DJ Paul
He was born on 12th January 1977 in Whitehaven, South Memphis, Tennessee, USA. His age is around 45 years as of 2022. He began his career in 1988 and has been active since then.
This Memphis rapper’s real name is Paul Duane Beauregard. He is also a songwriter, music producer, and actor. His famous albums/songs are “Underground Volume 16: For Da Summa,” “Scale-A-Ton,” “A Person of Interest,” “Master of Evil,” and many others.
Paul has more than 456,000 followers on Instagram at @djpaulkom, around 2.2 million+ monthly listeners on Spotify at DJ Paul, and more than 7,200 followers on SoundCloud at DJ Paul KOM.
Yo Gotti
This Memphis rapper began his career in 1996 and has been in the industry since then. His age is 40 years as of 2021. His real name is Mario Sentell Giden Mims.
He was born on 19th May 1981 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter and music producer. His notable releases are “Youngsta’s On a Come Up,” “Life,” “Back 2 Da Basics,” “I Am,” and several others.
Gotti has more than 5.8 million followers on Instagram at @yogotti, around 6.6 million+ monthly listeners on Spotify at Yo Gotti, and over 161,000 followers on SoundCloud at Yo Gotti KOM.
Lil Wyte
His age is around 39 years as of 2021. His actual name is Patrick Dhane Lanshaw. He was born on 6th October 1982 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Wyte began his career in 1997 and has been in the industry ever since. Besides being a rapper, this Memphis rapper is also a songwriter. His notable albums/songs are “Doubt Me Now,” “Phinally Phamous,” “The One and Only,” “The Bad Influence,” and many others.
He has over 213,000 followers on Instagram at @lilwyte, more than 746,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Lil Wyte, and more than 7,100 followers on SoundCloud at Lil Wyte.
Gangsta Boo
Gangsta Boo is around 42 years as of 2021. She was born on 7th August 1979 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. She began her career in 1995 and has been active since then.
Her actual name is Lola Chantrelle Mitchell. Besides being a rapper, she is also a songwriter. Her notable releases are “Enquiring Minds,” “Both Worlds *69,” “Mystic Stylez,” “Body Parts,” and many others.
Boo has more than 226,000 followers on Instagram at @missyeahoe, more than 98,100 monthly listeners on Spotify at Gangsta Boo, and around 2,100+ followers on SoundCloud at Gangsta Boo.
Juicy J
His age is around 46 years as of 2021. This Memphis rapper was born on 5th April 1975 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. His real name is Jordan Michael Houston III.
Jordan has been in the hip-hop industry since 1987. His notable releases are “Chronicles of the Juice Man,” “Hustle Till I Die,” “Stay Trippy,” “Rubba Band Business,” “The Hustle Continues,” and several others.
He has around 3.1 million+ followers on Instagram at @juicyj, more than 6.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Juicy J, and more than 1.17 million followers on SoundCloud at Juicy J.
Project Pat
This Memphis rapper is also a songwriter, besides being a rapper. His real name is Patrick Earl Houston. His age is around 49 years as of 2022. His birth date is 8th February 1973.
His birthplace is Memphis, Tennessee, USA. He started his career in 1991 and has been active ever since. His notable releases are “Ghetty Green,” “Mista Don’t Play: Everythangs Workin,” “Walkin’ Back Roll,” “M.O.B,” and many others.
He has around 479,000+ followers on Instagram at @projectpat, more than 1.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Project Pat, and around 1,700+ followers on SoundCloud at Project Pat.
Drumma Boy
He was born on 11th August 1983 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. His age is around 38 years as of 2021. This Memphis rapper has been in the industry since 2002.
Drumma’s real name is Christopher James Gholson. Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter and music producer. His notable releases are “Welcome II My City,” “The Birth of D-Boy Fresh,” “Welcome To My City 2,” and several others.
Gholson has more than 342,000 followers on Instagram at @drummaboyfresh, around 195,000+ monthly listeners on Spotify at Drumma Boy, and more than 1,200 followers on SoundCloud at Drumma Boy Fresh.
Frayser Boy
His real name is Cedric Coleman. He started his career in 2001 and has been active since then. His age is around 46 years as of 2022. He was born on 21st February 1976 in North Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter. His notable releases are “Gone on That Bay,” “Me Being Me,” “Da Key,” “Not No Moe,” and many others.
He has more than 32,900 followers on Instagram at @frayserbizzle, more than 45,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Frayser Boy, and around 420+ followers on SoundCloud at Frayser Boy.
La Chat
This Memphis is also a songwriter, besides being a rapper. He began his career in 1995 and has been active since then. His real name is Chastity Daniels.
His age is around 43 years as of 2021. He was born on 21st March 1978 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. His notable releases are “Murder She Spoke,” “Ultimate Revenge,” “Dramatize,” “Bad Influence,” and several others.
Chat has more than 125,000 followers on Instagram at @lachat_ig, more than 27,900 monthly listeners on Spotify at La Chat, and around 1,500+ followers on SoundCloud at La Chat.
Crunchy Black
However, he was born in Indiana, but he began his musical/hip-hop career in Memphis, Tennessee. That is why he is on our Memphis rappers’ list. His age is around 47 years as of 2021.
His birth date is 20th August 1974. His real name is Darnell Carlton. He began his career in 1993 and has been active since then. His notable releases are “On My Own,” “From Me To You,” “Money Ain’t Nothing To Play With,” and several others.
Black has more than 70,200 followers on Instagram at @realcrunchyblack, more than 17,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Crunchy Black, and around 80+ followers on SoundCloud at Crunchy Black.
Jucee Froot
This Memphis rapper is around 27 years as of 2021. She began her career in 2012 and has been in the hip-hop industry since then. Her real name is Terrica Shanice Alexander.
She was born on 12th July 1994 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Her notable releases are “Black Sheep,” “Psycho,” “Loyal 100,” “Girls Kissing Girls,” “Could Never,” “Sidewalk,” and many others.
Froot has around 513,000+ followers on Instagram at @iamjuceefroot, more than 310,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Jucee Froot, and more than 23,100 followers on SoundCloud at Jucee Froot.
Tela
He began his career in 1996 and has been active since then. His actual name is Winston Rogers III. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, but his birth date is unknown.
Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter. His notable releases are “Piece of Mind,” “Now or Never,” “The World Ain’t Enuff,” “Double Dose,” and many others.
He has more than 22,700 followers on Instagram at @telaofficial, more than 64,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Tela, and around 80+ followers on SoundCloud at Tela Official.
Big30
His age is around 22 years as of 2021. His actual name is Rodney Lamont Wright Jr. He was born on 28th December 1999 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter. He began his career in 2018 and has been active ever since. His notable releases are “Allegations,” “Go,” “ABCGE,” “Monday to Sunday,” “Water,” “Neighbors,” and several others.
He has more than 443,000 followers on Instagram at @ceobig30, more than 1.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify at BIG30, and around 44,800+ followers on SoundCloud at BIG30.