This list of mumble rappers could literally change every week. The amount of music that is being put out on a daily basis (especially in rap music) is unprecedented.
If you feel like someone should be added to this list, please comment below and we will consider adding (or removing) artists.
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What is “mumble rap?”
“Mumble rap” is an up and coming term for a new sub-genre of hip hop music that started in the mid-2010s. Whiz Khalifa is credited with coining the phrase “mumble rap” with an interview that he did on HOT 97 in June of 2016.
It is a style of rap where some dimension of either word slurring (oftentimes done on purpose) and is sometimes hard to hear (even though many use some of the best microphones for rappers), melodies or singing is added. Different notes and scales, and usually some type of autotune is used. It results in a catchier tune than that of the usual staccato rhythms some are used to. Often times the beats tend to be a little bit more EDM friendly. Sometimes the new generation of rappers is even referred to as EDM rappers.
But “mumble rap” isn’t a real term. It’s downplaying what these rappers are actually about and what they can actually do. Some would say that the phrase is actually ruining rap. The only reason many rappers are referred to throughout this article as “mumble rappers” is because it is currently the only way to identify new rap artists – which of many you could make the argument are more of rockstars than rappers (another term might be Soundcloud rappers).
So until there is a general consensus on what is actually happening and what we can title these new artists as a genre, we’ll stick to what people know.
Not Everyone is on Board
Artists like Joe Budden and Pete Rock have publicly criticized the “mumble” rappers – questioning their skills and their seat at rap’s table. Some say that they cannot “Identify” with today’s rappers.
Are they being haters… Instigators… Or do they have a point? Maybe its a little bit off all of the above.
However regardless of how the old heads feel one thing is for sure: Modern rappers are making a lot of noise and changing the rap game forever.
Top Mumble Rappers in 2021
Cardi B
Real Name: Belcalis Almanzar
Hometown: The Bronx, New York City, New York
Soundcloud: iamcardib.com/
Hottest Single of the Year: check. Crazy Good Features: check. Engaged to a superstar: check. Money Moves: check.
Cardi B is one of the hardest workers the Rap Game has ever seen, and she doesn’t get enough credit for her knowledge of rap history.
2017 was a great year for the new queen of rap music. 2018 seems like it will be better as she aims to quiet the “One hit wonder” claims made by some people.
21 Savage
Real Name: Shayaa Bin Abraham-Joseph
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Soundcloud: www.21savage.com/
21 Savage can sometimes seem like he is just simply talking when rapping. But after a while of listening, it becomes apparent why he is successful.
He’s talented, clever, and unafraid. On top of this, he also an extremely likeable person.
Kodak Black
Real Name: Dieuson Octave
Hometown: Pompano Beach, Florida
Soundcloud: officialkodakblack.com
Kodak Black has a more underground style than most of the rappers on this list, and you will never confuse his music with EMO music.
He has a unique voice, and you know it’s him as soon as the track starts. He recently released his album Project Baby 2.
Playboi Carti
Real Name: Jordan Terrell Carter
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Soundcloud: http://www.playboicarti.com/
Playboi Carti might have the most swag out of all of the rappers on this list. And it Literally seems like Playboy Carti Wokeuplikethis.
He’s not known for his singing, and his bars are short and staccato like, forcing our brains to subconsciously count to his super good beats and licks.
XXXTentacion
Real Name: Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy
Hometown: Plantation, Florida
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/jahseh-onfroy
X has an interesting take on rap music, and he has some really good bars. He also take part in a lot of pure singing, often times over a piano or acoustic guitar.
Then he switches it up and goes hard on what sounds could double for a heavy metal song. We just wish his IG would be a little more Evergreen so we could find a better photo.
Rich The Kid
Real Name: Dimitri Leslie Roger
Hometown: Queens, New York City, NY
Website: www.richforevermusic.com
Rich The Kid wrote “New Freezer” in 10 to 12 minutes, and he has enough talent to entice the great Kendrick Lamar to work with him.
He’s fresh on the scene and one of the more interesting takes on this new rap genre. He’s also from New York, which is a positive sign for the city.
6ix9nine
Real Name: Daniel Hernandez
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York City, NY
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/tekashi6ix9ine
Tekashi69, is a rapper based out of Brooklyn, New York. His music hits hard and is as colorful as his look.
Best known for his release “GUMMO”, 6ix9ine seems like a hybrid of old school Lil’ John and the Eastside Boyz and modern mumble rap music.
Trippie Redd
Real Name: Michael White
Hometown: Canton, Ohio
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/trippie-hippie-2
Trippie Redd makes EDM rap with an EMO feel to it. A lot of his songs are about love, and he sings a lot more than he raps.
Speaking on love, you can find him on IG posting picks that often feature his girlfriend. He is also the only rapper on this list from Ohio.
Lil Yachty
Real Name: Miles Parks McCollum
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Website: www.lilyachty.com
As far as music goes, he is best know for his hits “One night”, “Minnesota,” “Wanna Be Us”, and for his features on D.R.A.M.’s “Brocolli” and Kyle’s “iSpy.” But as this article from The New Yorker accurately states: “Yachty’s music is not incidental to his image, but it is only one aspect of his brand. His songs have always been an entry to his meticulously crafted persona, not the other way around.”
At age 20, he already has a deal with Nautica, and his personal brand follows a nautical and boat theme.
Lil Uzi Vert
Real Name: Symere Woods
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Website: liluziofficial.com
“Lil Uzi Vert is, for better or for worse, yanking people into the future, a world in which rap is a swirling kaleidoscope of post-regional styles and post-genre sounds…Uzi is the proper arrival, pushing that sound into more colorful, gleeful territory with the help of a murderers’ row of current producers.” This quote from Noisy couldn’t be closer to the truth.
With concepts like his Metallica Inspired logo, styles like his colored dreads or this recent T-Shirt Choices, and a rap style that includes both a rapid delivery and melodic sound, Lil Uzi Vert combines what seemingly is a handful of contradicting qualities and turns them into something that miraculously works flawlessly together.
He made a name for himself with his feature on Migos’ “Bad and boujee”, but has some very popular songs of his own in “XO Tour Llif3,” “Money Longer,” “You Was Right,” and “Ps & Qs.” When it comes to the “total package,” Lil Uzi Vert makes a strong case with his resume that features a dynamic combination of rapping, singing, music videos, and branding.
Young Thug
Real Name: Jeffery Lamar Williams
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Website: www.youngstonerlife.com
Young Thug came from nothing and has worked really hard to get where he is. He spends most of his time working hard on his rythm in his raps and this is evident in his melodies – where his unique style comes together to give you a sound that you have never quite heard before. His uniqueness really shines in songs like “Pick Up the Phone,” “Lifestyle,” “Wyclef Jean,” and “Digits.”
Something a little bit different about Young Thug is that he prioritizes fashion over rap. He is super obssessed with what he wears and he even has more than 6 different women help him get dressed when he has to do interviews or shows. He’s not afraid to stand out, be different, and work hard to make this music thing his own.
Travis Scott
Real Name: acques Webster, Jr.
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Website: travisscott.com
Travis Scott is an Artist’s artist. Out of all the rappers on this list, Travis Scott might be the one that has the most polished skill set. On top of singing and rapping, Travis Scott also makes beats, picks out the drums, and he does so for big name artists like Kanye, Usher, and many others. His albums are the most complete in terms of portraying a message – in fact he originally wanted to make “Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight” a play.
And this album lives up to the hype by delivering hit after hit. Along with Fetty Wap’s self titled album, it is probably the only album on this list that you would want to listen the whole way through without skipping any songs. Some of the more well known/circulated ones include “goosebumps,” “pick up the phone,” “sweet sweet,” and “through the late night.” You may also have heard his first big hit “Antidote” as well as his many features like his verse on “Uber Everywhere.”
Lil Pump
Real Name: Gazzy Garcia
Hometown: Miami Gardens, Florida
Website: lilpumpjetski.com
Lil’ Pump is one of the newest rappers on this list and is also the youngest rapper on this list. He recently released his newest self title’d album “Lil’ Pump, and has been gaining isntagram followers at a rate of about 1 Million a month, which is insanely impressive.
He’s not a lyricist first, and he kips it pretty simple. His single “Gucci Gang” is the epitome of this, where the chorus is pretty much him repeating the same words over and over. But his flow does have a rhythm to it, and it perpetuates modern day dance rap where there is a focus on EDM.
Love him or hate him, he is one of the most entertaining rappers out there, and that’s what accounts for his large following on instagram.
Migos
(Quavo, Offset, & Takeoff)
Real Names: Quavious Marshall, Kiari Kendrell Cephus, Kirshnik Khari Ball
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia
Website: migosonline.com
Migos can be compared to a modern day Outkast. They are not as mainstream as the duo, but they are all from Georgia, and Migos is making new and unique rap music just like Outkast did. In fact, Migos might be the only rap name on this list that not only fits in with Melody rap, but transcends into a new genre of rap on it’s own. Yea, dat way.
Migos had one of the most viral rap songs this world has ever heard in “Bad And Boujie.” If one person say’s “Raindrops” in 2017, there’s no doubt that someone else is going to say “DropTops.” It seems as though they are only going to get bigger, as Quavo does more and more features, and Offset keeps delivering some of the most unique bars and hooks rap has ever seen.
Future
Real Name: Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Website: freebandz.com
A man that needs no introduction. This list wouldn’t be complete without the Pioneer and lead front man of the melody rappers.
Future has the most combined plays on Spotify of any rapper on this list. And with 4 songs that top 150 million plays, it’s safe to say that Future is doing something right. Technically, we don’t really consider him a mumble rapper – but he puts out enough music and pioneered the new rap game, so we’re going to put him on this list.
Formerly on this list (In danger of falling off)
Rich Homie Quan
Real Name: Dequantes Devontay Lamar
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Website: richhomiequan.com
Currently signed to independent label T.I.G. Entertainment and Motown Records, Rich Homie Quan made some noise with his hits “Flex (Oooh, Ooh, Ooh),” and “Type of Way.” Along with Young Thug, Quan was once part of “Rich Gang” which was part of Birdman’s Cash Money, but that project is currently on pause as Rich Home Quan is working on his solo career.
Quan explained his recent signing with Motown Records, a deal that surprised a lot of people, as a “Boss deal and not an Artist deal.” He recently released “Back To The Basics” which has seemingly recieved a lot of positive reviews.
Fetty Wap
Real Name: Willie Maxwell II
Hometown: Patterson, New Jersey
Website: fettywap.com
It was amazing what Fetty Wap was able to do with his self titled album in 2015. It was the album of the summer and it was full of bangers. You can listen to it from top to bottom. His rhythms, and meoldies really are on another level. Out of all the rappers on this list, it may be safe to say that he has the best voice. Hits from jsut this one album included “Trap Queen,” “679,” “My Way,” and “Again.” Aside from these, he was also featured on Lil Dicky’s “Save Dat Money,” and Fifth Harmoney’s “All in My Head.”
Another song that was more recently released, titled “Make You Feel Good” did not get the recognition that these songs got, but is still very good. If Fetty and the Remy Boyz can repeat the model that made him a breakout star and got him a grammy nomination for best rap album (which he should have won), then there’s a good chance he can stay on top of the charts.
Desiigner
Real Name: Sidney Royel Selby III
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Website: www.lifeofdesiigner.com
Desiigner had the best basketball warm up song since Eminem and Nate Dogg’s ‘Til I Collapse’ in his debut “Panda.” Everyone either loved or had an opinion on this song. Even young children seemed to love it. It has an impressive half a billion plays on Spotify – the most of any song by any rapper on this list.
The only problem is none of his other songs are even close to this level of greatness. His next best song is either “Up” or “Timmy Turner” – neither of which got a lot of radio play. To his defense, the way Panda blew up overnight was a unique event, and since he blew up so fast, he’s now playing a lot of catch up. He finanly has time to do a lot of interviews where the main thing he is talking about doesn’t involve explainging what the lyrics to his song “Panda” are.
If you think I left someone off the list that needs to be here leave a comment below!.