Rap’s G League is looking healthy. Last year, when we put together our list of the best teenage rappers, it felt like a struggle to gather good, interesting names. In a genre supposedly dominated by youth, why were most of the promising names already in their 20s?
This year feels different. There’s been a surge of new talent, with more teenagers breaking through and making noise in their own corners of the rap universe. Regional rap has been driving hip-hop creativity, and now those scenes are starting to break into the national spotlight. This list reflects that burst of energy—with names coming from places like Chicago, Atlanta, the DMV, and Milwaukee.
Nearly half of the artists here are new, a sign of just how quickly young talent is bubbling up. When picking the names for this list, we focused on their impact so far and the quality of their music. Commercial success wasn’t as essential, because most of the figures here are just getting started.
Here are the 13 best teenage rappers of 2025.
13.310babii
Age: 19
Last year’s rank: 6
Why they’re on this list: Has already scored a charting hit and been prolific in putting out music
Not many people can say they picked up their high school diploma and a platinum plaque on the same day. But that’s the story of Inglewood’s 310babii, who landed on Billboard in 2023 with “Soak City (Do It)” and then performed the NC-17 track at his graduation. He parlayed that viral moment into an appearance at Kendrick Lamar’s “Pop Out” concert, and since then he’s been chasing another hit. How’s it going? Honestly … a little shaky. “Rock Yo Hips,” featuring Saweetie, is regurgitated nachos, while “Sound Like,” with Ty Dolla Sign, lands flat in its attempt to tone down the sleaze. Still, there’s a reason 310babii is on this list: He has real charisma, and when he experiments, he can be a blast. He shines on “Bad,” turning James Brown’s crime epic “The Boss” into an anthem for the baddies. We haven’t seen a teenager flip a James Brown sample this well since James Todd Smith. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
12.DD Osama
Age: 18
Last year’s rank: 2
Why they’re on this list: Still relatively popular and productive even as Brooklyn drill loses its luster
Last year, DD Osama ranked No. 2 on our teenage list. This year, he barely made the cut. That drop says less about him than it does about the lack of momentum of Brooklyn drill—a scene that’s stagnating and struggling to evolve. To his credit, DD was early to acknowledge this, telling us in 2023 that drill was “washed.” Over the past year, he’s taken small but noticeable steps to move beyond it. He lowered the register of his voice—thank God—and started rapping in a more measured tone, with less reliance on violent lyrics. His music is still unapologetically street, but there are flashes of range: On “2AM,” he delivers a dance-inspired bop, while “Blrrd Blrrd” features actual rap dexterity, cycling through a handful of flows all in like two minutes.—Dimas Sanfiorenzo
11.Luh Tyler
Age: 19
Last year’s rank: 1
Why they’re on this list: One of the most polished teenage rappers currently releasing music
When Luh Tyler first went viral in 2022 with “Law & Order,” he was just 16, rapping about taking someone’s girl to Waffle House. Now 19 and already three projects deep (My Vision, Mr. Skii, and Florida Boy), he makes a strong case as the most developed teen rapper on this list. With a casually slick delivery and the aura of someone destined to pop, Tyler rarely raises his voice, and that cool, laid-back detachment is exactly what sets him apart. His tapes don’t feel fully realized yet, but his voice—smooth yet gritty, with an undeniable presence—is instantly recognizable. He gravitates toward glittery, spaced-out beats that mirror his unbothered approach to stardom. And even as the viral buzz fades—which is the main reason why he’s down 10 slots— he’s touring internationally, stacking big-name features, and steadily sharpening his style. —Jon Barlas
10.Feng
Age: 19
Last year’s rank: N/A
Why they’re on this list: A representative of the UK rap scene offering something different
There’s something in the water in London right now. While Central Cee is making a case as the city’s top rapper, a wave of new talent is emerging in the underground—among them Feng, who’s adding new layers to the scene. He produced every track on his debut project, What the Feng, a record that nods to the electronic-rap fusion era of the 2010s, blending glossy synthesizers with hyperactive 808s while weaving nimble flows between the beats. Feng frames himself as an alternative to street rap, pushing the idea that “you can be cool by being yourself and just talking about life.” (His words, not mine.) That mindset shines through in his recent songs: On “YOLO,” he shrugs off the Rolex-obsessed materialism hip-hop often glorifies, while “Left for USA” plays like a heartfelt letter to a friend moving abroad. —Antonio Johri
9.Myaap
Age: 19
Last year’s rank: N/A
Why they’re on this list: Has a knack for dropping earworm rap songs that go viral
There was a stretch in the spring when the hook from “Fairy” was unavoidable online. The track, from rapper Myaap, is an oddball mix of explicit rapping and goofiness over a beat that sounds like someone added handclaps and 808s to the Interstellar soundtrack.
The national success of “Fairy” established Myaap as the first rapper from the eccentric Milwaukee scene to really break out (sorry, JP). What’s wild is that it wasn’t even her first rendezvous with virality—“HTS” had a moment on TikTok before this—or her most unconventional song (listen to early tracks like “Party Crackin”). But “Fairy” signaled her real potential: a song built off a bonkers TikTok meme that turned into an IRL party starter.
“Fairy” eventually flamed out, and I kind of wish she had done more with that moment. (She did get a nice chain, though.) Still, there’s more than enough here to justify her inclusion on this list—on my daddddy. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
8.Tana
Age: 18
Last year’s rank: 11
Why they’re on the list: Probably the most diverse artist on this list
Tana’s move from raw, aggressive rage-rap beats hasn’t watered him down at all. If anything, it’s made him sharper. His evolution shows how a shape-shifting sound can thrive while blending different styles. On the track “Living Lavish,” Tana incorporates an acoustic guitar, adding a warm layer that highlights his ability to experiment while staying true to that classic SoundCloud sound. That said, he needs to be dropping more. He’s only released one single in 2025 and hasn’t teased any new music. That track, “New Cash,” is solid, pairing a loud, repeating bell with Tana’s smoothed-out flow. Hopefully, he can be more productive going forward. —Bodhi Brown
7.STAR BANDZ
Age: 17
Last year’s rank: 5
Why they’re on this list: When factoring in technical ability and lyricism, the best rapper from her cohort
Chicago is, again, one of the hottest cities in rap, and among its rising talent, STAR BANDZ is the most gifted lyrically. Behind the mic, none of her peers—Chuckyy or BabyChiefDoit or Thirteendegrees—come close to her technical skill, and she’s probably the best new lyricist from Chicago since King Von.
Her first full-length album, ESTRELLA, showcases just how hungry she really is. Songs like “Mirror Mirror” and “Really Rare” capture her playful wordplay and knack for unorthodox rap flows. The project is strong but also reveals some limitations, especially when she leans on heavy-handed Auto-Tune on “Mars (Intro)” and “How the Game Go.”
And that’s just the album. She’s also been a feature killer, holding her own with rappers like Rio da Yung OG and Mello Buckz. STAR still has room to grow, but she already has the chops to go bar-for-bar with any other name on this list—and likely outrap them. —Antonio Johri
6.Baby Kia
Age: 19
Last year’s rank: 4
Why they’re on this list: Is the face of hyperactive “cash out” music
The term “crash out” has been all over timelines for the past few years, and that’s partially thanks to Baby Kia. The Atlanta native’s brute-force brand of rap, in-your-face cadences, and loud-mouthed energy refuses to be turned down, as albums like HELL CAN’T SAVE YOU, I PRAY YOU DIE, and KIA BOYZ all highlight the boisterous, threat-level assault he wages on each of his tracks. Kia’s been on a kill streak of singles throughout 2025, and it’s his uncapped energy that is most consistent, which lends to his viral appeal. “DUCKIN” was heard all over TikTok earlier this year, and for good reason. It’s another example of Baby Kia’s ability to skate (albeit aggressively) over any beat he touches. As 2025 draws to a close, don’t expect Kia to calm down anytime soon. —Jon Barlas
5.UntilJapan
Age: 19
Last year’s rank: N/A
Why they’re on the list: Has a polish and commercial appeal that isn’t always present with rappers this young
UntilJapan is one of the most talented teenage rappers on this list in a traditional sense, with an ear for production that already feels crazy mature. His project from earlier this year, trompe l’oeil, features epic, theatrical beats that feel alive, almost as if a Kanye born in 2003 had crafted them. The album is innovative while remaining refreshingly unique. Clear Playboi Carti influences appear in UntilJapan’s cadence and style, but he’s more lyrical, able to be vulnerable, and willing to tell personal stories on tracks like “Die Like Me” and “Goodbye, Come Again.” Released at the start of summer, trompe l’oeil feels like a sneaky top-10 rap album of the year. Crazy to think that UntilJapan is just getting started.. —Jordan Rose
4.che
Age: 18
Last year’s rank: 10
Why they’re on the list: Probably the best album from the rap underground
If Sayso Says sparked the initial buzz, Rest in Bass solidified Che’s distinct aesthetic. The 18-track sophomore album is arguably the underground rap release of the year, doubling down on his distorted rage-rap sound. It’s packed with drenched sub-bass, glitchy video-game-style bridges, crashing 808s, blown-out synth layers, and razor-sharp, extreme mixing across tracks like “Dior Leopard,” “Slam Punk,” and “Black Swan.” This is the prettiest car crash you’ve ever heard.
Amongst the underground, the common critique is that Che is a “Carti clone.” On tracks like “Rolling Stone” and “On Fleek,” it’s clear how much sauce he borrows from Carti’s chaotic, bass-heavy style. But Che also injects his own flair, blending glitchy Auto-Tune with random dream-pop samples—like Beach House’s “Lemon Glow” on “BA$$.” Che already has the underground on lock. The question is, how long will he stay there? —Bodhi Brown
3.Chuckyy
Age: 19
Last year’s rank: N/A
Why they’re on this list: Realizing the commercial potential of LUCKI’s underground sound
From the voice to rhyme schemes to cadence, you can hear Lucki all over Chuckyy. The 19-year-old rapper doesn’t hide from the comparisons. And Lucki has heard it, too, reposting an interview of the teenage rapper and adding “He Literally Is Me.” But this is no clone situation; Chuckyy is taking that Lucki foundation and pushing the Chicago sound to its limits.
His 2025 project I Live, I Die, I Live Again showcases his range—from horrorcore, sample-laced instrumentals that build tension without a drum or beat drop ( “FREE SMURK ONGF”) to the repurposed alt-rock track (EKKSTACY’s “i walk this earth all by myself”) on the viral song “My World.” The project proves Chuckyy could rap over a car alarm without losing his cadence, and he isn’t afraid to experiment with unusual samples or song structures to keep listeners engaged.
Like Lucki, Chuckyy might not be the easiest rapper to collaborate with, given his distinct flows, but he knows how to choose partners who complement his style. On Che’s Rest In Bass, Chuckyy was easily the standout feature, his laid-back flow balancing Che’s frenetic energy. He also finds undeniable chemistry with fellow Chicago native Mello Buckzz, especially on the haunting track “Out the Roof,” where her emotive delivery pairs perfectly with his style. —Antonio Johri
2.Nettspend
Age: 18
Last year’s rank: 3
Why they’re on this list: Already has the craziest fanbase of anyone on this list
I’m not going to lie—I was late on Nettspend’s wave. I had to see the aura in real life. It happened earlier this year at Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash: Nettspend hit the stage like a rap rockstar, commanding a legion of wild fans. The “bad-ass fucking kid” is starting to ascend to mainstream status. Even if his music hasn’t fully crossed over yet, you can see Nettspend everywhere—whether it’s his appearance at Paris Fashion Week or the way kids swarm him in the streets. Musically, he’s beginning to carve out his own sound in the rage-rap sphere. He just dropped a quick two-pack—“stressed” and “her friends,” which flips Dej Loaf’s “Back Up”— that features a mix of Future-like attitude and classic underground rap distortion.
There’s more music on the way, and his upcoming project Early-Life Crisis shows he’s self-aware; he’s no longer operating purely off vibes. One big album away, and he could be at the No. 1 spot. —Jordan Rose
1.BabyChiefDoit
Age: 17
Last year’s rank: N/A
Why they’re No. 1: In a short amount of time, he’s become one of the most exciting young voices in rap, emerging as a leader in Chicago’s burgeoning new scene
Have you ever driven over the speed limit on the highway in the dead of night just to feel a rush of adrenaline? That’s what it’s like listening to Chicago’s BabyChiefDoIt, the most exciting teenage rapper working right now. The 17-year-old burst onto the scene last year and hasn’t let up, pairing raw energy with manic, perfectly timed beats. He’s been open about Young Pappy being one of his biggest inspirations, and you can hear Chicago in his music. On “The Viper,” he channels early 2010s Chief Keef, while on “Went West,” he boasts about making the beat like Kanye West.
BabyChiefDoIt is also a spitter. Like, he can rap-rap. That’s why it was frustrating to see people question his pen after he admitted to experimenting with ChatGPT to see how it writes rhymes. Don’t get it twisted, no AI could deliver bars like: “They sayin' I look like Riley, that mean Fox fat-ass Lamilton / If I say somebody shot Rahim, and the opp just died, we the ones who killed him.”
His talent truly shines on Zoo Life, his 13-track sophomore project. It’s a wild ride of high-energy emotion, punctuated with moments of surprising vulnerability and honesty. BabyChiefDoIt is the youngest rapper on this list. But he already has range, drive, and, yes, skill in his craft. Out of every rapper on this list, his ceiling looks the highest. —Jordan Rose