The SoundCloud era of rap is truly one of the greatest inspirations to the new-age hip-hop industry that flourished significantly in the last few years. A hip-hop movement took place from 2015 to 2019 on SoundCloud which offered some of the best rappers in the industry right now. Let’s take a better look at the Top SoundCloud Era rappers who influenced global hip-hop.
1. XXXTentacion
Considered as the legend of the emo-rap, XXXTentacion was one of the greatest rappers in the modern era who passed away back in 2018. His style used to constantly blend rap, emo rock, and lo-fi elements which won the hearts of his fans. Each of his bangers was more like a representation of him fighting with his inner demons. Tracks like "Fuck Love", "Sad!", "Look At Me!", "Moonlight", etc are the greatest examples of his emotional musical projects. During his lifetime, XXXTentacion dropped a handful of notable EPs while collaborating with other rappers in the industry.
• Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 songs: 3
• Billboard 200 Top 10 projects: 4
2. Juice Wrld
Juice Wrld will live eternally through his hard-hitting bangers that offered kids a voice. This rapper from Chicago passed in 2019 at a very young age, but his influence in the Hip-hop industry will remain forever. His multi-platinum hit projects like "All Girls Are the Same", "Lucid Dreams" and "Bandit" are the greatest example of his sheer talent and skills. Juice’s first EP, 999, set an example in the new-age hip-hop music scene that stayed with a long-lasting impact through SoundCloud. He was also featured in Eminem’s hit project ‘Godzilla’. Unfortunately, this unwavering talent passed away in his prime when he had a lot more to give to the world.
• Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 songs: 9
• Billboard 200 Top 10 projects: 5
3. Playboi Carti
Starting his journey on SoundCloud, Playboi Carti quickly made his place in the hip-hop scene with his signature baby voice that meanders through digital soundscapes, featuring atmospheric beats. The tracks like "Fetti," "Magnolia" and collaborations with Lil Uzi Vert like "Woke Up Like This" and "Shoota" are the greatest proof of his individuality and creative aura. Musical projects like his self-titled LP, Die Lit and Whole Lotta Red, etc allowed him to climb the ladder of success quickly and efficiently. It goes without saying that the artist has a deep impact on the industry while being a role model for many emerging rappers.
• Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 songs: 6
• Billboard 200 Top 10 projects: 3
4. 21 Savage
If anyone is buzzing in the industry with his gangsta rap style right now, that would be none but 21 Savage. The rapper started his musical journey on SoundCloud and now he is one of the biggest rappers who recently made some great contributions to the making of the “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” soundtrack. "Red Opps," "X", "No Heart," etc are some of his earlier hits that helped him gather attention from around the globe. One of his greatest musical projects would be ‘Savage Mode’ where he worked with rap legend Metro Boomin. His blend of rap, trap, and drill offers a potential dose of energy that channelizes through the listeners. He is currently an OG in his prime who reawakened Atlanta’s trap scene.
• Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 songs: 6
• Billboard 200 Top 10 projects: 4
5. Post Malone
Post Malone’s music career took a major rise with his SoundCloud release "White Iverson", It was a tribute to former NBA MVP Allen Iverson and upon the release of the track, it created a huge buzz among the fans with an immaculate vibe. With hit releases like "What’s Up," "Too Young", "Congratulations", and "Rockstar", etc; Post quickly gained the attention of the world and offered a new creative wave of R&B and hip-hop music. His last significant project is ‘Sunflower’ Ft. Swae Lee which was featured in ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’. His multi-platinum album projects like ‘Stoney’, ‘Beerbongs & Bentleys’ and ‘Hollywood's Bleeding’, etc have brought a new wave in new-age hip-hop.
• Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 songs: 11
• Billboard 200 Top 10 projects: 4
6. Lil Uzi Vert
Lil Uzi Vert is one of the most significant rappers who rose from SoundCloud. The groundwork he did on the platform is commendable. Bangers like "Nuyork Nights at 21", "Money Longer," "You Was Right", "Do What I Want," etc prove his electrifying persona that channelizes through his rap deliverance. The music projects like ‘Luv Is Rage’ and ‘Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World’ are not just his musical assets but of the industry that he enriched with his talent and skills. When it comes to 21st-century rap, Lil Uzi Vert is practically reigning it with creative projects like ‘Eternal Atake’, ‘Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World 2’, and the list goes on.
• Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 songs: 6
• Billboard 200 Top 10 projects: 3
7. Kodak Black
Kodak Black's musical influence is significant in the hip-hop industry. He offered some of the biggest hit bangers "No Flocking," "Transportin'," "Skrt," "Skrilla", and "Roll in Peace", and the list continues to grow. Kodak’s unapologetic rap verses are energetic and capable of captivating hip-hop enthusiasts worldwide. His critically acclaimed albums like ‘Painting Pictures’, ‘Project Baby 2’ and ‘Dying to Live’ offered his menacing rapping style that envelops his fans with a subtle dose of energy and enthusiasm. Kodak has many chapters to share with everyone and it can be best read through his musical works and hard-hitting bars.
• Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 songs: 4
• Billboard 200 Top 10 projects: 4
8. Denzel Curry
Denzel is one of those rappers who proved again that pen is the mightiest weapon. The bars and rap verses are something not to mess with. Clever and intriguing wordplay along with an enveloping digital soundscape; each of his tracks is unique and greatly engaging. His musical catalog includes SoundCloud gems like "Ultimate," "Ice Age", "Ricky," and so on. His artistic layers take a creative turn through his musical creations that speak of life, misery, and overcoming it. Whether it is the catchy soundscapes or the bars that offer rhythmic and lyrical excellence; fans like him for what he does. He's a Hall of Famer who took the underground hip-hop scene to a whole new level.
• Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 songs: 0
• Billboard 200 Top 10 projects: 0
9. Lil Pump
The rapper behind the viral banger ‘Gucci Gang’ is none but Lil Pump who made brisk moves of success with each musical release. The tracks like "Boss", "Elementary," and "I Love It", etc are the biggest milestones of his musical journey that helped establish himself as one of the most talented rappers in the modern era. The music projects like ‘Lil Pump’ and ‘Harverd Dropout’ quickly climbed the Billboard 200 chart. His carefree spirit and intriguing bars reflect how well-versed he is with his craft.
• Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 songs: 2
• Billboard 200 Top 10 projects: 2
10. Lil Yachty
Lil Yachty is one of the most viral rappers from the SoundCloud Era who created the hit rap anthems like "One Night" and "Minnesota". With the release of his mixtape ‘Lil Boat’, Yachty made sure to create a fanbase with millions of loyal fans and made a successful initiation of his musical journey. Soon enough, the rapper came up with the debut album ‘Teenage Emotions’, the second installation of ‘Lil Boat’. He offered listeners a new essence of bubblegum rap which made him one of the top rappers in the scene. He has two platinum and gold-selling records.
• Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 songs: 2
• Billboard 200 Top 10 projects: 2
Some of the other significant mentions are Ugly God, Wifisfuneral, Smokepurpp, MadeinTYO, Rico Nasty, Lil Peep, Ski Mask The Slump God, and many others. If you are a hip-hop artist as well, perhaps it is the best time to embark on your journey on SoundCloud.
