U.S. Hip Hop Music: The Top 5 Artists You Should Be List

Wondering who the top 5 U.S. hip hop artists are that you should be listening to? Check out our latest blog post to find out!

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is one of the most successful rappers in the world, and he’s also one of the most critically acclaimed. His debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, was hailed by many as a masterpiece, and his follow-up, To Pimp a Butterfly, was also widely praised. Kendrick Lamar is known for his intricate lyrics and his ability to tell stories through his music. If you’re a fan of hip hop, then Kendrick Lamar is an artist you should definitely be listening to.

J. Cole

J. Cole is an American hip hop recording artist, songwriter and record producer. Born on a military base in Germany and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Cole initially gained recognition as a rapper following the release of his debut mixtape, The Come Up, in 2007. He released two additional mixtapes, The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights after signing to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation imprint in 2009. His debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story was released in 2011 to commercial and critical success. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, and has since gone double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Cole has received multiple Grammy nominations over the course of his career, including Best New Artist in 2013. He released his fifth studio album KOD in 2018 to critical acclaim and commercial success. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making it Cole’s fifth consecutive album to debut at number one. It is also Cole’s second album to receive a diamond certification from the RIAA, signifying over one million copies sold in the United States.

Chance the Rapper

chance the rapper is an up and coming hip hop artist who is quickly making a name for himself. He is from Chicago, IL and has a unique style that blends old school hip hop with a new school twist. His lyrics are positive and uplifting, and he has a message that is resonating with fans all over the world. Chance the Rapper is an artist you should be listening to if you want to stay up on the latest in hip hop music.

Drake

Drake is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He first gained recognition as an actor on the teen drama television series Degrassi: The Next Generation. In the early 2010s, he released a couple of independent mixtapes (downloadable hip hop albums) before signing for Lil Wayne’s record label Young Money Entertainment in June 2009. In February 2010, Drake released his debut album Thank Me Later, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and was soon certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Logic

Logic, born Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, is an American hip hop recording artist, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his 2014 album The Incredible True Story, which peaked at #3 on the US Billboard 200. His third studio album Everybody, released in May 2017, became his first #1 album on the US Billboard 200.

Childish Gambino
Donald McKinley Glover Jr. (born September 25, 1983), better known by his stage name Childish Gambino, is an American actor, comedian, writer, director, producer, musician and DJ. He performs music under the stage name Childish Gambino and as a DJ under the name mcDJ.

Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper and songwriter. He first gained major attention after the release of his 2010 mixtape O(verly) D(edicated). By 2012 he had signed with Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment. His major label debut album good kid, m.A.A.d city was released in October 2012 to critical acclaim and commercial success; it debuted atop the US Billboard 200 chart and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

J Cole
Jerome Jamaal Cole (born January 28th 1985), better known by his stage name J. Cole, is an American hip hop recording artist and record producer from Fayetteville, North Carolina. Cole first received recognition in 2007 following the release of his debut mixtape The Come Up. Cole released his second mixtape entitled Friday Night Lights in 2010 to positive reviews with features from Trey Songz and Drake; both being established artists at that time within Hip Hop-producing a subliminal Co-sign from established peers.[1] This led to him receiving co-signs from Jay-Z[2] as well as Nas.[3] He would go on to be one of Cole’s biggest influences throughout his career.[4][5] On November 9th 2010 J Cole signed to Jay Z’s Roc Nation record label.[6] His third mixtape Friday Night Lights 2 was sent out to various media outlets for free on November 12th 2011,[7][8] This resulted in submission for “Best Mixtape Of 2011” by numerous publications including HipHopDX,[9][10][11] among many others giving him a higher platform for recognition entering into 2012.[12][13][14][15][16]