Image via Complex Original/Illustration by Alim Smith
21.
The Kendricks and Drakes and Coles may be at the top of the rap food chain, but there's a crop of younger MCs—all of them between the ages of 20 and 29—who are on the trajectory to reach their level of greatness and impact. Chance the Rapper is a household name without a formal debut album; Travis Scott is selling out arenas; anything Cardi B touches turns to gold—better yet, platinum. Newer acts like Kevin Abstract, Tierra Whack, and Rico Nasty are also bringing their own flavor and energy to the game, making it an exciting time to be a rap fan. These are the best rappers in their 20s.
20.Valee
Age: 29
Last Year's Rank: N/A
For someone who is still early in his career, Valee already has people talking about his influence in hip-hop. Fans have believed Valee's flow—a nonchalant delivery of words from someone seemingly unperturbed by anything—is being stolen by other rappers. His label boss Kanye West even claimed that "drill and Valee style is the most popular style in rap."
Valee seems unbothered by it, saying in an interview with Mass Appeal that "they didn't do it right." He has also been teasing new flows, informing swagger jackers there's more for them to bite.
But controversy aside, Valee's allure as a must-listen artist comes from his vivid approach to songwriting. On "Vtl," he spits, "I got three pints of lean, but I ain't check my auntie mail yet/I tried to leave four zips, she said, 'Uh uh, your unc gon' smell that.'" By the end of the song, you feel like you're moving weight with him outside of a Shell gas station. More examples are found on his latest EP, GOOD Job, You Found Me: "Juice & Gin," "Vlone," and "Miami" all give a perfect snapshot of the rapper's rags-to-riches story. With Valee's first single, "Womp Womp," getting early praise from rap tastemakers, the future of 'Ye's label looks bright. —Eric Diep
19.Rico Nasty
Age: 21
Last Year's Rank: N/A
Rico Nasty remixed "Super Thug" crazy with "Countin Up." Do you know how hard it is to flip a classic like that and do it justice? She's already a legend for that alone. Not only does she have great energy and style, she also has bars for that ass. I was introduced to Rico through "Poppin" when we turned up to it at a friend's wedding, and I've been a fan ever since. I then heard the song on an episode of Insecure and was gassed that more people were gonna know about her because she's a force to be reckoned with. With her latest project, Nasty, Rico proved she is here to stay. —Angel Diaz
18.A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie
Age: 22
Last Year's Rank: N/A
If you had a checklist for what a star rapper would sound like in 2018, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie would hit all the marks. He adds to the Bronx's lineage by being a rapper/singer—a hybrid popularized by Drake, who co-signed A Boogie early—who creates melodic, hard-edged street anthems that quickly catch on. When he approaches topics of relationships, romance, or wealth, you can feel his emotions—like he earned the right to flex about bustdown Rollies and Birkin bags.
Hip-hop's under-the-radar success story was a major attraction at this year's Summer Jam, moving thousands to strong sing-alongs to "My Shit," "Jungle," and his multi-platinum single "Drowning" off his debut album, The Bigger Artist. His follow-up project, International Artist, shows how well he works with musicians from overseas as he shines bright on Caribbean and reggaeton vibes. A Boogie is modernizing New York hip-hop. It's only a matter of time until he becomes king of the concrete jungle. —Eric Diep
17.Denzel Curry
Age: 23
Last Year's Rank: N/A
At 23 years old, Denzel Curry is already a veteran. Back in the early days of the much-discussed SoundCloud rap movement—I'm talking 2013—Curry, along with his crew by association, Raider Klan, made the first waves in aggressive, distorted underground hip-hop. With the release of his debut project, Nostalgic 64, Curry made it abundantly clear that he was rapping to find his way out of the depths of South Florida. It's a path that was soon followed by Lil Pump, Smokepurpp, Ski Mask the Slump God, Kodak Black, and the late XXXTentacion, who got a jumpstart in rap by moving in with Curry. With the release of his following albums, up to this year's TA13OO, he's become increasingly self-aware and fiercely focused on relaying the challenges facing not only him, but men who look like him and men who grew up like him. Curry's signature trait is his delivery, which is rapid-fire and filled with a palpable intensity. It's only become sharper with every step forward he takes, and there are no signs he's slowing up. —Kiana Fitzgerald
16.Jaden Smith
Age: 20
Last Year's Rank: N/A
If you're still saltily writing Jaden Smith off as yet another product of Hollywood nepotism, eat a Snickers and get over it. If Kid Cudi is the Lord of the Sad and Lonely, then Will's son is the prince. His debut album was a moody treatise on Calabasas ennui packed with hypnotic melodies, tight songwriting, and, yes, bars. "Icon" is, irrespective of the album, a Moment. His latest, "Ghost," indicates that more fiery show-offs are on the way. The best part about Jaden has been the way he clearly internalizes support and inspiration from his influences. So being on tour with opposite ends of the spectrum like J. Cole and Young Thug, and Forrest Gumping in the background while Tyler and Rocky rap their asses off for shits and giggles in Paris, bodes very well for Jaden. From making headlines for bespoke Party City fits to being one of the best new talents out. I guess we all gotta grow up. —Frazier Tharpe
15.Tierra Whack
Age: 23
Last Year's Rank: N/A
Tierra Whack is the greatest weirdo rapper we have in the game today—and she's just getting started. At 23, she only has one project under her belt, Whack World. It was a visual album that she presented across 15 one-minute songs and uploaded to platforms like YouTube and Instagram, in addition to streaming services. To put it bluntly: It was a fucking genius concept. In an industry run by social media, and bearing in mind the diminished attention spans connected to the timeline, Tierra knew that it was necessary to lean into the fleeting. She treats her music as if it's ephemeral, which makes the experience of listening to it more intense and memorable. If you've never seen a crowd of people consistently go up for 60-second songs, I would strongly advise you to check Tierra out at your earliest convenience. She just might have overhauled the stagnant approaches to hip-hop in more ways than one. —Kiana Fitzgerald
14.Young Nudy
Age: 25
Last Year's Rank: N/A
Young Nudy is the future. The Slimeball series? Classic. Nudy Land? Yup, you guessed it: Classic. The Atlanta rapper enters a long list of melodic trap stars who call Georgia home and deserves to be mentioned alongside the likes of Skooly, Future, and Thug when it comes to this style of rap. "Loaded Baked Potato" should be played at the Oscars or, at the very least, the pearly gates. Nudy raps so effortlessly over incredible beats it's honestly an honor to live in the same era as him. You'd figure the only person capable of killing the shit he spits over would be God himself, but nope, it's just Nudy talking real trap shit that'll raise the crime rate. Young Nudy the GOAT. Please salute him when you see him. —Angel Diaz
13.YG
Age: 28
Last Year's Rank: 17
If we're keeping it a buck, YG's third solo album, Stay Dangerous, was underwhelming when held up to his first two projects. That said, there aren't many who are as genuine in their gangsta as the Compton representative. With Blood anthems like "Suu Whoop" and club bangers like "Big Bank," YG knows his lane and unapologetically maintains order, no matter how impactful his full projects are. And even when his coded language doesn't blow the roof off the Impala, you can rest assured that it'll tick the same boxes you need from YG, who is still as raw and real as ever before. Maybe it really is 10 times harder for a real n***a. —khal
12.Vince Staples
Age: 25
Last Year's Rank: 3
The brand of Vince Staples centers on his authenticity and thought-provoking yet honest opinions. Fans have loved his stances on why the '90s are overrated or how Ray J has had a hand in everything black culture as much as his witty rollout for "Get the Fuck off My Dick," when he promised to retire from music if he raised $2 million.
Thankfully, Vince is still actively rapping, and for good reason: He's a subversive voice who encourages listeners to go against the establishment. On 2017's Big Fish Theory, Vince takes a progressive and unconventional route with futuristic raps, rhyming alongside Kendrick Lamar on "Yeah Right" and delivering an everyman's perspective on dating while famous in "745." The range from "Blue Suede," "65 Hunnid," and "War Ready" to these records shows that Vince pushes his pen to be a trendsetter, not a follower.
Vince continues to be bold and experimental today, with a constantly evolving sound, much like his earliest supporter, the late Mac Miller. At a time when mumble rap is thriving, Vince intends to fill a lyrical void with a precise flow and a brash personality. The kid is mean. —Eric Diep
11.Kevin Abstract
Age: 22
Last Year's Rank: N/A
In 2017, we ranked Kevin Abstract's verse on Brockhampton's "JUNKY" No. 12 on our list of the best rap verses of the year. A year later, it holds up as the best example of Abstract's credentials as a rapper. The 22-year-old spits with the confidence of a seasoned vet, a serious feat for someone whose identity as a young, black, gay man makes him a rarity in the hip-hop community. He consistently proves that he belongs right where he is, though, even at the outrageous rate at which Brockhampton releases music (three albums in 2017 and this year's Iridescence). Despite the sentiments expressed on the most recent project's "WEIGHT"—"I've been feeling defeated, like I'm the worst in the boy band"—rest assured that Abstract is still bringing the heat in 2018. His dedication to shaking things up is necessary in this industry, and he'll undoubtedly continue to shine. —Carolyn Bernucca
10.Noname
Age: 27
Last Year's Rank: 13
Through Telefone and Room 25, and a handful of stellar features, Noname has proven herself to be one of the most compelling storytellers in rap today. With Telefone, she unraveled the intricacies of her life, and the tales she spun were webs of painstaking intimacy. With Room 25, she's transitioned from writing bars that refract off of glowing beats like light to burying her observations on life deep in the soils of darker production. She sounds more contemplative, more aware—but she's forever hopeful and unafraid to talk that real shit. In a crowd of rappers who regurgitate the same topics and styles as the MC standing to their left, Noname is helping lay the foundation for original and purposeful hip-hop to present itself to the masses again. —Kiana Fitzgerald
9.Joey Badass
Age: 23
Last Year's Rank: 5
Joey hasn't released a project in 2018, which accounts for his movement down the list. But it's his extra-musical influence that ensures he stays on. The Pro Era head has proven himself a captivating actor in Mr. Robot. He's made sure that fellow Pro-dies like Kirk Knight and CJ Fly have had room to make great music and build fan bases of their own. He's even written hit songs for other people, if his recounting of the session for Post Malone's "Rockstar" is to be believed, and engaged in serious philanthropic efforts to boot. But most of all, Joey stays on this list because of his talent as a rapper. If there's another young spitter who's this smart, mature, political, engaged with the world, and ready with a quick double (or triple, or quadruple) entendre, we'd love to know about them. —Shawn Setaro
8.ASAP Rocky
Age: 29
Last Year's Rank: 8
In May, following a rollout that culminated in an hour-and-a-half-long performance art show, ASAP Rocky dropped Testing, his first solo album in three years. The release drew mixed reviews, but its 15 tracks highlighted the 29-year-old's continued growth as a rapper. Rocky's come a long way from the Southern-inflected style he introduced on Live.Love.ASAP, experimenting with new flows and collaborating with an eclectic range of artists. He's never been a technician, but that's fine. The overall package is what we're here for, and more than three years after Yams' passing, the Harlemite continues to deliver. —Lucas Wisenthal
7.Lil Uzi Vert
Age: 24
Last Year's Rank: 11
Since his impressive debut album, Luv Is Rage 2, came out in 2017, Lil Uzi Vert has kept his material released to a minimum, but has made every moment count. He outshined Travis Scott and Kanye West on "Watch," wailed his way through a standout collaboration alongside Lil Baby and Gunna, and used the "Who Run It" challenge to showcase a rapid-fire flow that reminded listeners he's got the bars to match the sauce. Uzi Vert also dropped his first solo single of the year: "New Patek," a five-minute-plus flex that gave fans a taste of his much-anticipated album Eternal Atake. Even in an off year, Uzi Vert knows how to work the spotlight like a true rap star. —Edwin Ortiz
6.Offset
Age: 26
Last Year's Rank: 12
Migos have been red hot since their monumental 2017, and the Atlanta trio have since split into three to conquer the rap game. Offset's moment comes at a time when he has seen a huge spike in popularity, largely due to his Nature Boy homage "Ric Flair Drip" and his always on-point guest verses.
Offset earns his spot here because he's proven to be the best executor of the staccato flow since 2015's "First Day Out." He's tightened the formula over time, besting his groupmates on a handful of Culture II songs and becoming hip-hop's go-to if you need to turn your single into a smash. Offset helped Tyga cook up a song of the summer contender in "Taste"; inspired his wife, Cardi, to body the Migos flow; and is outpacing Quavo for features (Check: Lil Yachty's "Who Want the Smoke?" and 6lack's "Balenciaga Challenge"). Now, with his daughter Kulture in his life, Offset is set to prove himself again: You can be rap's utility player and the coolest rap dad at the same time. —Eric Diep
5.Cardi B
Age: 25
Last Year's Rank: 19
The Cardi B of 2017 and the Cardi B of 2018 are two different women. Cardi has leveled up considerably, from No. 19 to 5 on our list, because she made every money move imaginable. She transitioned from underground social media queen to breakout reality personality to bona fide, Grammy-nominated rap star in what seemed like no time at all. Last year, she landed on this list because, let's face it, "Bodak Yellow" was the undisputed anthem of 2017. Many thought it was a fluke, and Cardi, 25, focused harder than any of her peers on establishing herself in the game. After months of wild anticipation, she released Invasion of Privacy, a chart-topping debut project proving that rap is exactly where she needs to be. Cardi's remained perched and unbothered on the charts since then; if you need receipts, she's now the first female rapper ever to have three No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with her Bad Bunny- and J Balvin-assisted "I Like It" and Maroon 5 collab "Girls Like You" following the success of "Bodak Yellow." She's excelled by simply being herself, and because of that, she has her contemporaries—both men and women—shook. —Kiana Fitzgerald
4.Young Thug
Age: 27
Last Year's Rank: 2
Thugger, after a meteoric rise, both in the hip-hop game in general and on this list specifically, is finally starting to see his star dim just the tiniest bit. His boundless creativity and constant reinvention of what actually counts as rapping have taken him far. But his ongoing inability or refusal to provide us with an actual debut album is finally making some people lose patience. He's teased us again and again, but always changes his mind at the last minute. Without a definitive statement of who Young Thug is, it seems unlikely that he can remain in rap's upper echelon. And recent projects like the Future collab Super Slimey and the label showcase Slime Language haven't given the people the full-fledged Young Thug genius we need. Even On the Rvn, while more promising and focused than anything else he's released in 2018, is still not at the level Thugger needs to ascend to the realm of the greats. But hope, like surprise deliveries of snakes and unexpected Elton John collaborations, springs eternal. —Shawn Setaro
3.Travis Scott
Age: 26
Last Year's Rank: 6
If life is a roller coaster, then this is La Flame's world that we're living in. The first half of the year was more of the same hellish waiting game Travis Scott fans are used to enduring by now, but, boy, was their [im]patience validated by the end of summer. Three or four weeks earlier, and Jack might've stolen it outright from the quote-unquote bigger names who led a packed June and July.
Simply put, Travis Scott delivered. In a year full of A-list releases that either came and went in the public consciousness or provided diminishing returns on their long-player value, ASTROWORLD was firmly lodged on arrival. Travis has always known how to put an above-average album together, but this go-round he graduated from the Yeezy School of Curation with a master's in fire song arrangement. Not many people can wrangle Drake for a three-part Xanax odyssey, then put on for new Houston talent later in the album, and have John Mayer and Thundercat on a beat in between.
Leave it to Travis to take Master Curator as a backhanded compliment, though. He's heard your shade about his bars being the least crucial and stepped his flow up. Peep him breathlessly keeping pace on the soaring "No Bystanders" and indulge his muted introspection on the album closer "Coffee Bean." From Houston boy to household name. —Frazier Tharpe
2.Chance the Rapper
Age: 25
Last Year's Rank: 1
Chano led our list last year, and now—after releasing only a handful of loosies—has slid down a single spot. How did he do it? Well, Chance the Rapper has turned into Chance the Movie Star with Slice, Chance the Media Mogul by purchasing the Chicagoist, Chance the Philanthropist with his constant efforts to help the Chicago Public Schools, and Chance the Improv Comic during a winning turn on Wild 'N Out. And his music still bangs, as the four songs he dropped this summer aptly demonstrate. Underneath it all, though, beats the heart of a young man who loves his city, loves music and words, loves his family, and loves God. Whichever way he chooses to express those sentiments, we're on board. —Shawn Setaro
1.Tyler, the Creator
Age: 27
Last Year's Rank: 4
Tyler, the Creator occupies an oddly sequestered lane. His music—buoyed by bright and optimistic chords—bristles with pop sensibilities, but it's never seen as pop music. And while most don't see him as the same caliber of lyricist as former stablemate Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler has managed to sharpen his pen and his flow with each project. His subject matter has matured, as well. He may have made a name for himself as a reincarnate of a young Slim Shady mixed with a little Big L, but on his most recent full-length project and loosies, he's a young man who still loves a lewd joke but is now more comfortable processing and explaining the multiplicity of his life. But, above all else, dude can spit. There are very few who can meld lines together about designer threads, BMX bike tricks, fantasies, and, of course, Golf Wang. But that's why there are very few in his lane. —Damien Scott