Rap Recap of the year
Our two cents on the key players of 2024 Rap game and the artists to keep an eye on in 2025.
Forgive us, but our timing isn’t quite aligned with the fast-paced, content-recycling demands of the social media era. Since no one asked for it, here are some of OUR thoughts on the Hip-Hop scene—reflecting on the standout artists of the past year and the ones to watch in the year to come.
The Wessside Comeback
Despite 2025 starting in the worst possible way for L.A. and its surroundings—due to devastating fires affecting, among others, the legendary producer Madlib, who lost his home and equipment—we can still say with certainty that 2024 was the year of the gangsta rap revival on the West Coast.
Snoop Dogg is reviving Death Row Records, but above all, the impact of Big-Hit has been insane. After years in prison, the rapper reunited with his son, Hit-Boy (a Grammy-winning producer), and together they delivered two of the best albums of the year—one with The Game and another, a “knockout punch” co-produced with The Alchemist.
Paradoxically, musically speaking, L.A. and all of California are bringing new fresh air to the rap game. Artists like Jay Worthy, the return of DJ Quik, DJ Muggs, and Larry June from the Bay Area are shaping the scene. And take note: T.F. and the Meet The Whoops—2025 will be their year.
P.S. has Kendrick Lamar smoked Drake?
Underground vs. Mainstream and best rapper of the year
While mainstream’s “microwave music” seems to be drying out even its own artists, the underground scene remains alive and well. If you would ask us, the rapper of the year in 2024 is without a doubt Estee Nack —a street prophet, 5% Nation philosopher, industry pirate and much more. With three albums produced by three different artists, he dropped three classics. Is this Supreme Mathematics?
Right behind him, Rome Streetz is climbing the ranks, solidifying himself as one of the top MCs in New York right now. Then there’s Roc Marciano, who plays in a league of his own, outside time and rules. O.T. The Real, 38 Spesh, and Dave East also deserve a special mention for their consistency and solid output throughout the year.
Among collectives, Feed The Family from Boston— BoriRock, Shaykh Hanif, Dun Dealy, TOP Hooter, and Tremendiis—was the dopest crews of 2024 and the best yet to come. Keep an eye on The Umbrella Collective as well; their long-awaited group album could finally drop in 2025.
Other names to monitor closely: Stove God Cooks, Errol Holden, Panamera P, Mondo Slade, A$AP Twelvy, Cruch Calhoun and Vega7TheRonin. And, of course, we’re eager to see what Nas and DJ Premier are cooking up.
Underground Producers: The Toughest Competition
The underground production scene is as competitive as ever. Futurewave, from Canada, was one of the most solid producers this year. Alongside Conductor Williams, Spanish Ran, Wino Willy, MADEINTYO, Graymatter (Mutant Academy), they were among our favorites. For 2025, we’re betting big on August Fanon, GRiMM Doza and DVNTBEATS.
International scene
This year, the artists who hyped us the most were Kalash Criminel 🇫🇷, ROCXNOIR 🇬🇧, and the Venezuelan collective Metal (Lil Supa, 3M5, Nichess One).
Italian Game
Well, as they say in Naples: “Zitt’ chi sap’ o’ gioc’” (He who knows the game stays quiet). No need for further explanations. Personality of the year: Baby Gang. An honest 2Pac “Me against the World” mentality! In the underground Stakanov Boys worked hard.For 2025, keep an eye on Click-Head & Doye Tex, Terrasanta, and Low-Red. On the production side, our top picks are Carlo Ragazzo and Giovane Platone.
Presto arriveranno anche i nostri album preferiti del 2024. STAY TUNED!
