The Best Rappers Who Started On SoundCloud

Update: Dive into the best new hip hop with our list of 2020's top rap songs.

A surprising amount of underground rappers, including some of the best emo rap artists, who went mainstream first found an audience on the German-based audio distribution platform known as SoundCloud. With so many new technologies that allow anyone to upload work for an audience, many independent filmmakers, singer/songwriters, authors, and other artistic types are able to gain a following without the assistance of agents, producers, or publishers. Some of the best underground rappers were able to forgo any kind of formal representation and get their voices into the world via SoundCloud. So, who are the best SoundCloud rappers?

Featuring mainstream rappers who were discovered on SoundCloud, like Lil Yachty and Lil Uzi Vert, and up-and-coming SoundCloud rappers, like Lil Pump and 6ix9ine, this list of good SoundCloud rappers also includes Ski Mask the Slump God, Russ, Smokepurpp, Trippie Redd, and Ugly God. Don't forget about female SoundCloud rappers Rico Nasty, Asian Doll, and Kodie Shane.

The best SoundCloud rappers vary in terms of the type of art they produce, but all of them created a unique sound that allowed them to become famous. There are white SoundCloud rappers, like Post Malone, who rose to fame after uploading a single song that took off. Other rappers who started on SoundCloud had small followings when they began posting their music online, and gained fame quickly when their work reached a broader audience. Bryson Tiller, for example, had a fan base from a 2011 mix tape but his popularity sailed after he uploaded a song to SoundCloud in 2015. 

Which rappers discovered on SoundCloud do you like best? Vote your favorite artists to the top of the list.