In an era where the music landscape is constantly shifting, one thing remains true: the well of Hip-Hop talent is deeper and richer than ever. Ignore the noise about the genre being dead; you just haven’t been looking in the right places. I’ve scoured the map and the sound waves to compile a list of 12 of the brightest Rising Stars in Hip-Hop today.
This isn’t a ranking. It’s a curated collection of people who are making serious waves and genuinely great music—a diverse mix of ages, regional sounds, and career paths. Every artist featured here has demonstrated strong talent, significant career progress, or both, over the past year. Could I have made a list of 20? Absolutely. But these 12 are the ones you must pay attention to right now. Get ready to update your playlists; the next generation of legends is already here.
– Coyote
No doubt if you’ve been paying some attention to my IG or Twitter you probably know I’m a big Coyote fan. These guys dropped an incredible album this year with “yoteLAndia” and then followed it up, as they do, with “yoteLAndia LOST TAPES”. This Los Angeles based duo of brothers, consisting of Ricky Blanco & Ladies Love Guapo, goes crazy on the microphone and in my opinion is the best new duo easily and the best duo I’ve seen since Clipse. Ironically another amazing duo of brothers, it’s a formula that clearly makes for incredible Hip-Hop. Coyote is only getting better and better, building bigger and bigger, doing more and more features while collecting more and more big name features themselves. Incredibly active with dropping music, videos, doing shows (including being part of Xzibit tour) and outside with the people. These Rising Stars have content that stretches from the streets, politics, radio hits and everything in between. It’s only a matter of time before this duo is truly appreciated far and wide.
– DeAngelo Xavier
DeAngelo Xavier was someone I discovered early this year when the weather was cold and the drops slowed from big names last year. “A Dot On The Bulletin” dropped in January and kept me going through the frost. A witty lyricist that laces a bevy of beats with razor sharp bars. With the Beverly Hills Cop theme guiding the project along, this was my introduction to the current Virginia rap scene. In this case, specifically Norfolk. DeAngelo was clearly building and I saw him open for bigger and better names as the year progressed. He’s also recently linked up and started building with Fly Family, a collective consisting of a bunch of dope artists. Along with some features this year that he both gave and received, DeAngelo Xavier also linked up with the producer Malinisoundz for “Graffiti On Gold”. A series broken into 3 parts, which he stamped throughout the summer and released all as one to close it out. A series/project that was incredible and I tried to tell as many people about as I could. There’s rumblings that more is to come soon from this Rising Star, I’m not sure if it’ll be before the year closes out but even if it doesn’t, DeAngelo has done enough and made the kind of dope music for me to say you need to keep an eye on him.
– Dialect Tre
Dialect Tre is one of the younger artists on this list. One much earlier in her career but one that I’d put my money on becoming a favorite once ears find their way. A blossoming bud of an MC that reminds me of many greats but makes sure that everything is stamped as her own. One of the brightest young MCs coming out of Chicago, this year her main drop so far has been “Rabbit Season”. But it’s a project strong enough that she stands out as a clear Rising Star. Already working with some of her city’s best, she’s already recognized and held up as the fresh wave. Not only did she produce a few tracks on “Rabbit Season” but I know she’s working on a beat tape that’s upcoming as well as somewhat of a sequel/continuation of the amazing Rabbit Season, be on the lookout for “Moscow Mule”! A project that’s supposed to get even more vulnerable and touch on things like spirituality, emotions and what comes after the chase that was “Rabbit Season”. Dialect Tre is an amazing young artist, a Rising Star and I’m excited for all that’s to come from her!
– Jamal Gasol
Jamal Gasol is like that. This Rising Star out of Niagara Falls dropped multiple great projects this year, including one titled “You Not Like That”. Jamal dropped that mid-summer with Quis Star on production and hit my radar running. Since then, he’s been everywhere I turn, making features that he destroys and dropping projects. Not that I wanted to, but I couldn’t avoid the guy. In September he dropped “Success II Society”, a project that similarly to his previous gave the presence of a boss. A vibe I was into and thought Jamal Gasol handled as well as anyone since the biggest boss first dropped ha. But there were hints at a darker side too and on Halloween Jamal dropped “Its In The Eyes” with Flu on production. This was what I really wanted Jamal to dig into and when he did, he shredded it to bits. Sometimes a boss’s work gets dirty. Jamal is shining out East and he’s someone I’d be checking into if you haven’t already.
– La Reezy
LaReezy is the youngest one on this list, yet one of the biggest wave makers of the year as far as new talent! Representing for New Orleans, this Rising Star’s first big move this year was dropping “Welcome To LaReezyana Vol 1.”. A great project filled with musicality and captures a fresh yet classic Louisiana sound. La Reezy self-produced that project and cleared the way for a huge year. He got a co-sign Kendrick Lamar shortly after and then came his next project, “Pardon Me, I’m Different”. Another amazing project with a completely different sound, made with the help of PJ Morton this time around. Then Tyler, The Creator co-signed La Reezy, stacking up big names that took notice quick! And the year is still not over so there’s time for more to come from this young man. La Reezy is currently on tour with Little Simz and continues to build and grow as an artist and human. I can’t wait to see what’s next to come!
– LaRussell
Easily the biggest and most known name on this list, probably more than a Rising Star, really already a star in his own right. But when I saw that he had never caught an XXL Freshman list or had his own cover, I knew I had to give him some shine. Bringing that Bay Area independent grind they are known for to the new era, LaRussell puts on for Vallejo and the whole West Coast. A man who can’t stop releasing, dropping 7 projects all before August, continuing the crazy spree he’s been on for years. And I mean many years he’s been dropping like this, and the formula that has worked for others has paid off for LaRussell. He feeds his fans and they reciprocate. He’s dropped like crazy sure, but he features all over, is all over social media, performs constantly and is creating new ways to interact with fans and create live experiences. If you don’t like LaRussell’s music, ok sure, I disagree but sure. If you don’t like his grind, then you’re just a hater.
– Miquo
Miquo came out of the blue for me this year representing strong for a new wave out of Houston, one that embraces the sound while crafting a new unique sound of their own among it all. I had stumbled into this Rising Stars debut project from 2023, “everybody HURT.”, that showed me what an amazing artist Miquo was and from there I was hooked. When I saw his 2025 release “E$iDE $CREWUP (EP)”, I already knew he was set to impress. And he did, “E$$U” was easily one of my favorite projects of the year and especially as far as EPs go. Outside of that, Miquo had a couple features including one with another Rising Star on my list! Just recently Miquo did a live performance for Front Row Live, doing a blend of “everybody HURT.” & “E$$U” songs. Which is now available on all DSPs as a Live EP! Miquo is a standout artist and one I think will shine extremely bright as soon as the right light hits. And I have faith it will!
– Norman Sann
Norman Sann is incredible. Representing for his transplant home of Louisville, he’s got social media buzzing and his music videos he makes often are known to many. A self propelled Rising Star, producing most if not all his work, creating live on Tik Tok and having reels on IG that go crazy is what Norman Sann does. But Norman isn’t some social media rapper, he’s the real deal. He dropped “The Audition” only days before the start of 2025 that helped kick the year off strong. It gave people like me who tuned in during 2024 a sample of what would be a busy year. In June he gave us the “My Take On This (EP)”, a great project that brings everything we love from Norman, high energy, unique flows & witty bars. And in September dropped again with “Abnormally Norman”. Norman rarely misses and this year especially has been nearly flawless. All this while making videos, doing live shows and steadily building. I saw Norman Sann perform live this year at Red Rocks, and he was a great live performer. A well rounded artist and one that I think can be huge!
– Rufus Sims
Rufus Sims is one of my favorites on this list and one of my favorite current MCs in general. Even though his popularity to the mainstream isn’t the biggest yet, he might hold the most respect in his city than anyone else on my Rising Stars. Representing strong for Chicago, Rufus Sims is easily a front runner in the city’s Hip-Hop scene. A year that started with him teaming up with one of the best underground producers, ILL City, to release “ILL Dirty Rufus”. One of my top albums this year, it’s an insight into the crazy life Rufus has lived. He’s an artist that’s been through a lot and is a person worth learning more about. All year I’ve heard Rufus catch features that he shined on, show out with performances and even do a meet & greet with fans. Not only do I believe another project is just around the corner for the end of the year or early 2026, but Rufus Sims also recently linked up with Roc Marciano and PIMPIRE. Big things are coming and Rufus is for sure a Rising Star you need to listen to and learn about, as well as the whole city of Chicago bubbling up and ready to take over all of Hip-Hop. But that’s a discussion & article for another day.
– Reuben Vincent
Reuben Vincent has been bubbling and gaining momentum all year, he was built into a Rising Star out of the Queen City, Charlotte, NC. Reuben was featured on multiple other artists’ bubbling projects and fresh off an October 2024 release of his great project “General Admission”. But it was all building up to his 2025 home run, “WELCOME HOME”. Fully produced by 9th Wonder, I knew as soon as Reuben announced this that it was going to make waves, and it sure did. The week it was released it was easily one of the most celebrated and heralded albums of the week, which was a busy week with Alchemist & Hitboy & Dave dropping as well. Not only that but people were holding it up as a champion of great Hip-Hop and one of the best releases of the year. Reuben Vincent capitalized on his 9th Wonder co-sign this year in a major way and at only 22, it’s propelled him to a position as a potential front runner of a new generation of dope artists in Hip-Hop. It’s time to tune in if you haven’t yet!
– Shun Gawd
A real Houston representer, Shun Gawd hit my radar in the first half of the year when I discovered his December 2024 project “CONES & CAFFEINE”. Fully produced by 9th Wonder, it was a great sound that Shun shined on and immediately reeled me in as a fan. A well traveled artist, Shun Gawd has multiple projects dedicated to his time spent in different cities. His 2025 release continued that with “Hobby to Midway”, an album dedicated to the time Shun spent in Chicago. William P. Hobby Airport in Houston to Midway Airport in Chicago, hence “Hobby to Midway”. Not only did he drop, but he did a real rollout for this project. Shun shows nothing but signs of being a professional. It’s probably why Shun Gawd has multiple partnerships and ambassadorships for brands like HAT CLUB & StockX. The grind continues but this is someone that I think will shine bright once the spotlight hits and is absolutely a Rising Star.
– 4200Kory
4200Kory is coming out of Indianapolis, aka Nap Town. A state known for some big names through Gary especially but when it comes to Hip-Hop as a whole, it still has a reputation to build. That’s where 4200Kory comes into play. A young and gifted MC that has a lot to say at such a young age. His 2025 release Cobra Son really impressed me, with Kory’s unique style, his story telling, introspective insights and willingness to open up about himself and his life. 4200Kory is still fresh in his musical career but that doesn’t matter for Rising Stars, he’s doing what he needs to and hitting marks that he should at this stage. Making interesting music videos, getting occasional interviews, and performing here and there. Most importantly though he’s creating music that we want to see the next generation making. Continuing the deep art of Hip-Hop, and it’s my job to hold artists like 4200Kory up whether they have 5 monthly listeners or 5 million. I’m calling an early shot here, but I think 4200Kory can be impactful in Hip-Hop and deserves a Rising Star spot.
You’ve seen me go on and on about all the names here on my Rising Stars list so I’ll try to keep it short as I wrap up. When people say Hip-Hop is dead or dying I know they aren’t deep into the genre because you can look any direction on the map in the US and even outside of that where there’s immense talent. I think many of these Rising Stars have the potential to make a big impact on Hip-Hop and even mainstream music as a whole. Unfortunately in 2025 it’s not all about the music, but these people are all making the necessary moves they need to outside while delivering in the booth. All these artists need to continue what they are doing, progressing how they are and most importantly, all while continuing to make amazing music.
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