After a stellar 2024 filled with countless impressive releases, rap is breathing new life and looking reenergized heading into 2025. Within the past year, fans enjoyed various standout moments credited to emerging artists determined to challenge industry norms and fuel a resurgence of regional sounds. As a new chapter begins, a new line of up-and-coming rappers looking to make their mark and catapult themselves into solidified stardom.
AzChike
Notable Songs/Features: "peekaboo" w/ Kendrick Lamar, "movie" w/ ScHoolboy Q
There isn't a newcomer in rap coming into this year with more momentum than AzChike. In a year where his city dominated the music industry, the LA-bred rapper was front and center, contributing with multiple standout features. Standing aside West Coast rap stars like ScHoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar, AzChike never failed to make his presence known on tracks "movie" and "peekaboo". The “Big Dawg” rapper has the whole package, lacing his signature regional flow with animated, witty bars and an aggressive delivery. As the West looks to continue its momentum into 2025, look for AzChike to emerge as one of Cali’s next generation of stars.
NASAAN
Notable Songs/Features: "Kativa's Baby Boy", "Devil to Atlanta", "On The Block Freestyle"
Some rappers rise to popularity because of their storytelling skills through their pen game, and other rappers today gain more traction from bringing the story to life with their content and visuals accompanying the music. And then you have NASAAN, whose skill set resides within the best of both worlds. The Detroit rapper is riding high off a successful 2024 campaign, garnering buzz through his standout appearances on From the Block and On the Radar. Keeping his foot on the gas, the "Goated" rapper dropped a solid EP, Error 44, along with one of rap's overlooked rap visuals last year with "Kativa's Baby Boy." Not only is NASAAN proving that his lyricism and song-making abilities are up to par with his creative vision to make his music translate on screen, but his ability to conceptualize himself as a character being an artist could be an X-factor for the rapper's longevity. Nonetheless, seeing what's in store for NASAAN in 2025 and beyond will be exciting.
Lexa Gates
Notable Songs/Features: "I Just Can't Be Alone", "Provider"
When it comes to up-and-coming rappers paving their own lanes with their sound, few today are doing it quite like Lexa Gates. In an era where fans witness women in rap obtain more success and create more versatility than ever, the Queens rapper's artistry sticks out like a sore thumb. Her soulful tone and heartfelt lyrics over her usual bluesy, melancholic production make tracks like "Provider" and "I Just Can't Be Alone" the early cult classics. As she's spent the first half of the decade tailoring her sound and building her catalog, the second half is set for Lexa to blossom as an artist on a mainstream level.
Star Bandz
Notable Songs/Features: "Yea Yea", "Can't Tell Me Nothing"
Despite the Chicago rapper being the youngest to make the list at sixteen, many of her artistic qualities are developed well beyond her age. Star Bandz first grabbed attention with “Yea Yea”, a two-minute display of rap acrobatics that became a standout single in her city before garnering national attention. She didn't waste any time following up, dropping an impressive debut solo full-length project, Estrella, this past November. With Star Bandz reaching stardom within rap at such an early age, listeners have plenty of time to get used to get acquainted with her sharp pen game and her confident, crisp delivery.
Nino Paid
Notable Songs/Features: "Play This At My Funeral", "Tyreek Hill"
The DMV rap scene has consistently delivered a rising star to reach nationwide popularity over the years and Nino Paid is setting himself up to be the next to blow from the area. The PG County rapper quickly became a regional staple with his gritty, introspective lyricism and refined narrative skills. Showing early promise, the 23-year-old secured his first major label deal following his debut LP, Pain & Possibilities. This past year, Nino was hard at work, pushing his latest full-length effort, Can't Go Bacc, accompanied by a slew of singles. Whether on trap-heavy tracks like "Coolln" or somber, reflective cuts like "Play This At My Funeral", Nino Paid will keep finding ways to make his mark inside the booth.
Connect with AzChike: Instagram | X | Spotify
Connect with NASAAN: Instagram | X | Spotify
Connect with Lexa Gates: Instagram | X | Spotify
