Music

The 50 Most Popular Hip Hop Music Genres, Ranked

Updated July 22, 2019 2.1k votes 208 voters

List Rules

Vote up the best hip hop subgenres.

One of the most versatile forms of music in the last several decades is undoubtedly hip hop. It began as an underground movement in the 1970s with the first hip hop artists coming out of the Bronx in New York City. From the East Coast, the art form quickly spread throughout the country and around the world. Today, you can't turn on the radio without hearing a famous hip hop artist. However, there are plenty of subgenres within that art form that allow for experimentation. This list of hip hop genres will make for a nice walk down memory lane as you find a litany of rappers you love.

Hip hop is unique because many of the genres are derived from cities. East Coast and West Coast hip hop are famous examples of this, but there were also movements that came out of Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. That's not even getting into the various other subdivisions, such as crunk, gangsta rap, and trap.

These are the most popular hip hop genres of all time. From the '70s to the present, this list runs down everything that influenced music as people know today. Vote for the types of hip hop music you like best!

1
Gangsta Rap
Popular artists: Tupac, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, N.W.A., Ice-T, The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Sean Combs

Rank the best gangsta rap artists here!
2
Hardcore Hip Hop
Popular artists: Eminem, Wu-Tang Clan, DMX, Public Enemy, KRS-One, Ghostface Killah, Kool G Rap, Run-D.M.C., Onyx, Rakim

Rank the best hardcore hip hop artists here!
3
Experimental Hip Hop
Popular artists: Tyler, the Creator, Odd Future, Death Grips, El-P, clipping., Aesop Rock, Danny Brown, Earl Sweatshirt, Brockhampton, A Tribe Called Quest

Rank the best experimental hip hop artists here!
4
Alternative Hip Hop
Popular artists: De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, OutKast, The Pharcyde, Jurassic 5, Arrested Development, Danny Brown, Kid Cudi, K.Flay, MF Doom

Rank the best alternative hip hop artists here!
5
G-Funk
Popular artists: Nate Dogg, Warren G, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Too Short, Above the Law, Tha Dogg Pound, Eazy-E, Daz Dillinger

Rank the best g-funk artists here!
6
Drill
Popular artists: Lil Durk, Chief Keef, King Louie, Lil Reese, Young Chop, Lil Bibby, G Herbo, Jadakiss, Kenny Allstar, Montana of 300
7
Cloud Rap
Popular artists: A$AP Rocky, Lil B, Yung Lean, Bones, Viper, Bladee, Post Malone, Rich the Kid, Famous Dex, Chris Travis
8
Freestyle Rap
Popular artists: Proof, Big L, Supernatural, Serius Jones, Juice, Ruff Sqwad, Brainpower, Crooked I, Royce da 5'9", Method Man

Rank the best freestyle rappers here!
9
Trap
Popular artists: Migos, Gucci Mane, Future, Young Thug, Jeezy, Waka Flocka Flame, A$AP Ferg, Travis Scott, Cardi B

Rank the best trap songs here!
10
Mafioso Rap
Popular artists: The Notorious B.I.G., Raekwon, Nas, AZ, Jay-Z, Kool G Rap, Scarface, Mobb Deep, Rick Ross, Fat Joe

Rank the best mafioso rap artists here!

11
Emo Hip Hop
Popular artists: XXXTentacion, Trippie Redd, Juice Wrld, Lil Tracy, Casper, Lil Xan, Lil Peep, Bones, Lil Skies, Guardin

Rank the best emo hip hop artists here!
12
Hip Hop Soul
Popular artists: Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige, D'Angelo, Beyonce, Lauryn Hill, H.E.R., Usher, John Legend, Aaliyah, Alicia Keys

Rank the best hip hop soul artists here!
13
Pop Rap
Popular artists: Nicki Minaj, Drake, LL Cool J, Kanye West, MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, The Black Eyes Peas, Nelly, Missy Elliott, Salt-n-Pepa

Rank the best pop rap artists here!
14
Underground Hip Hop
Popular artists: Jedi Mind Tricks, MF DOOM, Madlib, Cannibal Ox, Atmosphere, Dilated Peoples, Murs, Deltron 3030, 9th Wonder, Mr. Lif

Rank the best underground hip hop artists here!
15
Instrumental Hip Hop
Popular artists: Knxwledge, RJD2, Onra, Oddisee, DJ Krush, DJ Cam, K-Def, J Dilla, Pete Rock, Madlib
16
Dirty South
Popular artists: OutKast, Ludacris, Goodie Mob, UGK, Juvenile, Master P, Big Boi, DJ Screw, Jermaine Dupri, Mike Jones

Rank the best dirty south artists here!
17
Mumble Rap
Popular artists: Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, Lil Pump, Desiigner, 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Playboi Carti, XXXTentacion, 6ix9ine, Lil Xan
18
House Rap
Popular artists: Azealia Banks, Jungle Brothers, Kid Cudi, Flo Rida, Tinie Tempah, 2 Chainz, David Guetta, Fast Eddie, Lil Kim, T-Pain
19
Jazz Rap
Popular artists: The Roots, Guru, Gang Starr, Us3, Q-Tip, De La Soul, Herbie Hancock, Erykah Badu, Mos Def

Rank the best jazz rap artists here!
20
Political Hip Hop
Popular artists: Public Enemy, Chuck D, Dead Prez, Talib Kweli, Immortal Technique, Mos Def, Common, Killer Mike, The Roots, Run the Jewels

Rank the best political hip hop artists here!

21
Crunk
Popular artists: Lil Jon, Ying Yang Twins, Lil Scrappy, Three 6 Mafia, Ciara, Pitbull, Ludacris, Trillville, Crime Mob, T.I.

Rank the best crunk artists here!
22
Bounce
Popular artists: Mannie Fresh, Big Freedia, Sissy Nobby, Nicky Da B, Big Tymers, Big K.R.I.T., B.G., Magnolia Shorty, Juvenile, Lil Wayne
23
Lo-Fi Hip Hop
Popular artists: MF DOOM, Knxwledge, Nujabes, Flying Lotus, Fat Jon, Joji, Blu, Eevee, J Dilla, Jazzinuf
24
New Jack Swing
Popular artists: Bruno Mars, Bobby Brown, Bell Biv Devoe, New Edition, Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Janet Jackson, Heavy D, TLC, Blackstreet

Rank the best new jack swing artists here!
25
Rap Rock
Popular artists: Korn, Linkin Park, Hollywood Undead, Cypress Hill, Death Grips, Tech N9ne, Bloodhound Gang, Beastie Boys, twenty one pilots, Limp Bizkit

Rank the best rap rock artists here!