Detroit, a city in Michigan, is known for housing people of different ethnic backgrounds. Perhaps that is why it has produced many famous musicians over time who make sure to incorporate the culture of Detroit into their music.
A prime example of this is the talented and influential rappers we have listed in this article for you. This city has a very deep history when it comes to music, ranging from Motown sound to hip-hop to rock.
When you go through our list of the 30 Best Detroit rappers of all time, you will realize that people from this city are very skilled when it comes to melodies. It may even come to you as a shock when you find out who is on our list!
Here are the 30 best Detroit rappers of all time
- Eminem
- Big Sean
- Black Milk
- Danny Brown
- Xzibit
- Tee Grizzley
- Babyface Ray
- Lizzo
- 42 Dugg
- Kash Doll
- Peezy
- D12
- Boldly James
- Guilty Simpson
- J. Dilla
- Aaliyah
- Cash Kidd
- Royce da 5’9”
- Slum Village
- Skilla Baby
- Obie Trice
- DeJ Loa
- Feloni
- Trick Trick
- Supakaine
- Esham
- Sada Baby
- Veeze
- Phat Kat
- Payroll Giovanni
1. Eminem
Not only is Eminem one of the best rappers from Detroit but he is also considered the best rapper of all all time. His music career has exceeded all boundaries, with over 150 million albums sold worldwide.
We suggest you give his music a listen, his complex lyrics and rhymes will blow your mind. His songs consist of witty wordplay and he delivered his lines swiftly with a lot of energy.
Eminem also does not hesitate to address uncomfortable and taboo subjects in his music. He holds many awards for his records, including “Artist of the Decade (2000-2009)” by Billboard. He also has many Guinness World Records, including “Fastest selling rap artist”.
2. Big Sean
Sean Anderson, otherwise known as Big Sean, is a Detroit rapper who was discovered by Kanye West. he quickly rose to fame in 2011, after his first album “Finally Famous” was released. It featured many collaborations with other artists on it.
Big Sean has received recognition for his ability to combine traditional hip-hop with modern pop. There are also various hints of R&B songwriting methods in his songs. His career remains to be an inspiration to fans.
3. Black Milk
Curtis Eugene Cross, professionally known as Black Milk, is a rapper and producer from Detroit. He rose to fame in 2008 after his album “Tronic” gained attention.
Just like Eminem, Black Milk does not shy away from talking about serious topics in his songs such as social justice and personal growth. If you are interested in this topic, we highly suggest giving his music a try!
Many of his fans would argue that after Eminem and Big Sean, Black Milk is the backbone of the Detroit rap scene. We would say that music is subjective, so everyone has their own opinion!
With a wide range of skills at his disposal, Black Milk is a threat on the mic, a gifted producer, and an expert with the pen.
4. Danny Brown
Danny Brown is famous for being unfiltered and experimental, combining rap with electronic music, and punk. Because of his very realistic and thought provoking writing, he has managed to win multiple awards. This includes “Best Rap Album” in 2020 at the Libera Awards.
It is true that Danny has a unique sound but that is not the only reason behind his success. His sincerity and emotion in his songs also plays a hand in his fame. This honesty helped him gain the trust and respect of his loyal listeners.
He often talks about subjects like mental illness and addiction, highlighting his own struggles with these issues.
5. Xzibit
Xzibit’s real name is Alvin Nathaniel Joiner and he is a Detroit-based actor as well as rapper. A lot of people would argue that he represents West Coast rap culture but if you listen to his songs you will surely see the Detroit roots.
Xzibit is known as a socially conscious rapper because he often discusses the reality of politics and other serious topics in his songs. He also touches upon themes like poverty, police brutality, and social injustice in his rhymes.
Overall, Xzibit has emerged as one of the most talented rappers to come out of Detroit thanks to his style and skill with words. If you look at his discography, it will be impossible to deny his impact.
6. Tee Grizzley
Terry Wallace Jr., or Tee Grizzley is a Detroit rapper who is renowned for his very intense and honest storytelling. “First Day Out” was his breakthrough song in 2017. It showcases his experiences in the prison and was such a hit that even Vogue wrote an article on him.
His determination to get out of the prison and not let it ruin him motivates him a lot of his fans. This honesty in his songs is what has made Tee gather a loyal fanbase.
With new albums featuring collaborations with other famous musicians, Tee Grizzley is intent on making a bigger name for himself in the music industry.
7. Babyface Ray
Babyface Ray is a Detroit rapper, who is a big name in the rap industry. This is because of his great storytelling skills that you will fall in love with if you listen to any of his songs.
His real name is Charles Graham, and with his music he tells various experiences of his upbringing sincerely. The street politics he faced in his life is a major theme in most of his records, along with survival.
He has a smooth delivery of lines that is combined with trap beats that pull at your attention. In short, Babyface Ray can connect with his fans because of his realism.
8. Lizzo
Melissa Jefferson, also known as Lizzo, is a famous singer, rapper and flutist from Detroit. She rose to fame very quickly and now writes about body positivity. She has inspired many young women to be less insecure about their bodies.
Her music consists of a mixture of hip-hop, R&B, pop, and funk. The messages in her songs are about self-love. Through her positive lessons, she has received a lot of praise and recognition.
Forbes also wrote about Lizzo after she won three different Grammy awards for her work.
9. 42 Dugg
Dion Marquise Hayes, who goes by the stage name 42 Dugg, is a rapper from Detroit who raps about serious topics in a very energetic way. His music contains strong beats and dark lyrics.
Similar to Babyface Ray, Dugg’s music explores many of his real life experiences. This includes street life, violence and problems he faced while growing up in Detroit’s neighborhoods.
People who like realistic portrayals of the harsh realities of urban living connect on a deep level with his music. As he makes more with his unique sound and stories, he gains more fame and respect.
10. Kash Doll
Kash Doll, her real name being Arkeisha Knight, is a popular female rapper from Detroit. We recommend you listen to her music, especially if you like energetic rap.
She writes fiery poetry with strong messages for other people. Mostly women. Just like any other musician, she writes songs based on her real-life experiences.
She puts the spotlight on themes like self-esteem, financial independence and female empowerment. Like many other rising female rappers, Kash Doll has an unapologetic attitude that her fanbase is obsessed with.
11. Peezy
LaVall “Peezy’ Moore is a rapper from Detroit who is loved by many for his honest music. If you haven’t noticed, many musicians are praised when their music is sincere and Peezy is one of them.
He shares his story about the harsh environments of Detroit, and how he survived it and made a name for himself despite everything. His albums motivate others not to give up and to always stand up after falling. We recommend you give his music a listen.
Apart from his storytelling skills, his deep voice and melodies tie in everything beautifully. His impact on the underground rap scene cannot be denied by anyone.
12. D12
D12, also known as Dirty Dozen, is a famous group of rappers from Detroit. Eminem was also a part of this group. They make hip-hop music that has amusing lyrics which are sometimes controversial.
Other renowned rappers that are in this band are Bizarre, Proof, Kuniva, Mr Porter, and Swiftly McVay. They all used amazing lyricism and catchy beats.
Just like other rappers, they created music that talked about the challenges and hard living conditions of Detroit and life in general. In addition to this, they also made light-hearted fun music.
13. Boldy James
Boldy James, a rapper from Detroit, writes music about the hardships of the neighborhoods he grew up in. If you had a difficult childhood like James, you might relate to his songs.
Because of his genuine portrayal of realistic issues, he managed to gain a loyal fanbase. The underground rap scene of Detroit can be seen heavily in his records.
We recommend that you listen to his song “Great Adventures”. It is a fan favorite and we believe you will love it, especially if you like basketball references.
14. Guilty Simpson
If you like authentic rappers who talk about the struggles of life, we insist you check out the Detroit rapper, Guilty Simpson. His blunt and frank honesty will keep you hooked all the way!
Common themes discussed in his songs are street life and the harsh conditions of growing up in less privileged areas. The wordplay he uses is very clever and brings the story to life.
He is adored for his sincerity by many, especially since he depicts the spirit of his hometown creatively. People love him because they relate to his stories and makes them feel less lonely.
15. J. Dilla
James Dewitt Yancey, also known as J Dilla, is a rapper and producer from Detroit. He has a very unique sound that has modern beats to make it catchy.
If you are a hopeless romantic then give his music a try as he raps about love amongst many other things. He creates music with catchy tunes and melodies that can make anyone start dancing.
He passed away tragically in 2006, and it had many people grieve the loss of a talented music icon.
16. Aaliyah
Aaliyah was a famous female rapper and actress from Detroit who gained fame in the 1990s. She had a lovely voice and her soft R&B music became a quick hit.
She would rap and sing about love and problems in a relationship in her songs. She would have had a long successful music career if it was not for her sudden death in a plane crash.
Despite her tragic demise, Aaliyah remains a star in hip-hop and R&B culture. “Are You That Somebody” is a song that I recommend you listen to, it is a personal favorite. She was nominated for several awards and even won Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Female Artist in 2003.
17. Cash Kidd
Cash Kidd’s real name is Kejaun Muchita and he is famous in the Detroit hip-hop world because of his upbeat rap style. Detroit seems to have a huge impact on its rappers music as Cash Kidd also talks about growing up in Detroit streets a lot.
He raps with a lot of passion and his lines are delivered in a smooth way. Because of this, he manages to keep the listener’s attention for a long time. He talks about financial struggles, crime and the need to succeed in his songs.
18. Royce Da 5’9”
Royce Da 5’9”, born Ryan Daniel Montgomery in Detroit, is a successful rapper and songwriter. He has a very complex vocabulary, which is very clearly portrayed in his songs. His lyrics are very thought provoking.
He is also in a rap duo with fellow Detroit rapper, Eminem, called “Bad Meets Evil”. Royce is known to write about his growth in life, social problems and addiction problems.
Royce da 5’9” is a legend in the Detroit hip-hop culture and his lyricism is unbeatable.
19. Slum Village
Slum Village is a hip-hop group of Detroit-based rappers including J. Dilla, T3, and Baatin. Together, the three of them created great music on topics like love, personal development, and the problems of growing up in Detroit.
They created iconic music together as well as solos. Some songs we recommend are “Selfish” and “Fall in Love”.
20. Skilla Baby
Detroit rapper Skilla Baby, real name Reginald Brown, is new in the hip-hop world. He is growing famous quickly because of his energetic rap flow and catchy tunes.
He discusses many things in his songs, such as ambition and life in Detroit. As he creates more music, he becomes more well-respected in the industry.
21. Obie Trice
Obie Trice is a Detroit rapper who became famous because of his album “Cheers” which was produced by Eminem at Shady Records. Since then, he has released many other albums that have been a hit.
Obie Trice touches on sensitive topics in his songs and the honesty of it is appreciated by listeners.
22. DeJ Loaf
The unique vibe and amazing lyrics of the Detroit rapper Dej Loaf have helped her gain fame quickly. The music she makes is a mixture of hip-hop and R&B. She also has a bold demeanor that sets her apart from others.
We recommend listening to her songs “No Fear” and “At the Club”, some personal favorites of ours. Her impact has been so marvelous that even Vogue said “She already walks, talks and dresses like a legend”
23. Feloni
Another female Detroit rapper, Feloni (real name Trish Best), has gained the attention of many because of her unique music sound. If you like bold music from female rappers, we highly suggest listening to Feloni.
She has a wild energy and does not shy away from controversial topics. Her free spirit is what makes people fall in love with her. We recommend listening to “Wide Body”, it’s a personal favorite of ours.
24. Trick Trick
Trick Trick is a rapper from Detroit who has a bold presence and strong vocals, a combination that made him famous. On his records, he has collaborated with many renowned artists such as Eminem and Proof.
He uses clever lyrics and catchy tunes to create music that draws in people like a moth to a flame. Forbes article on him really shows Trick’s loyalty to his Detroit roots and heritage.
25. Supakaine
Supakaine, born Randall Hammers, is yet another Detroit rapper whose flow and lyrics have helped him gain a lot of attention. He is very admired for his records.
His music combines classic hip-hop with modern sound, creating a masterpiece.
26. Esham
Esham, real name Rashaam Smith, has many fans that call him the “Godfather of Hardcore”. His songs have a dark and edgy vibe to them which makes him stand out.
He created unique sounds by adding rock beats to his music. He talked frequently about addiction, sex, and death. His unique aesthetic consists of horror, social issues, and science fiction that are all jumbled up together.
Esham has been very influential in the hip-hop industry as his music is constantly challenging the norms and setting new boundaries. An example is the famous hip-hop duo “Insane Clown Posse” who have listed Esham as their inspiration.
27. Sada Baby
Sada Baby, born Casada Sorrell in Detroit, is recognized in the hip-hop industry for his upbeat rapping style and clever word phrasing. His music is a blend of many other genres such as trap and drill.
His songs discuss topics like achievement, self-confidence, and ambition in life. His charismatic personality and attitude have helped him gain the liking of many.
He skillfully beat the allegations of only making music for people from his hometown by releasing “Whole Lotta Choppas”. It is a catchy song adored by many.
28. Veeze
Veeze, a Detroit rapper whose real name is still unknown, has been causing some uproar in hip-hop. His music is relatable as he raps about the need for success and to achieve goals.
Songs like “Pressure” and “Respect” showcase his determination to make his dreams a reality and how resilient he is. His fans love Veeze’s rapping style and his sincerity.
With new releases now and then, Veeze is getting more famous. He is also improving his work which makes his supporters even more excited for his new music.
Veeze struggled slightly with the instant fame but he took inspiration from fellow Detroit rappers. The article Rolling Stone published on him goes in detail on this topic.
29. Phat Kat
Phat Kat, also known as Ronnie Cash, belongs on this list of best Detroit Rappers of all time. He has been one of the oldest Detroit rappers, with his 1999 album “The Undeniable” gaining him success.
He has collaborated with many artists throughout the two decades which has helped him make a name for himself. His music contains blunt lyrics and truthful narrations of problems in life.
Phat Kat’s music can be enjoyed by people who like rap music based on deep themes. His music consists of topics such as urban life struggles, street experiences, and dedication to succeed.
30. Payroll Giovanni
Dior Giovanni Petty, also known as Payroll Giovanni, is a Detroit-based rapper who is part of the band “Doughboyz Cashout”. Like many other Detroit rappers, his main themes in music are about his hometown.
His music is heavily inspired by gangster rap from the 1990s. If you decide to check his work out you will surely see it. He also delivers his lines smoothly making his songs even more fun.
Payroll had worked with many other credible artists before he started his record label, BYLUG Entertainment. He has managed to make a name for himself in the music industry in a very short time.
FAQs
Which song is Eminem’s number-one hit?
Eminem has had many songs that have charted at number one for weeks. But to many people’s surprise, his biggest hit is “Lose Yourself” which was released in 2022.
How did Aaliyah pass away?
Aaliyah tragically passed away in an accidental airplane crash in 2001. She was only 22 years old when she passed away. There were eight other people on the aircraft that crashed only a few minutes after takeoff.
Who is called the king of Detroit rap?
Eminem, born Marcus Bruce Mathers, is referred to as the king of Detroit by many people. His long list of awards and Guinness World Records also prove that this title fully belongs to him.
Is Detroit known as Music City?
Yes, among a few others, Detroit is known for its rich history in music. It is said to be the birthplace of techno and Motown music. Along with that, Detroit also has a lot of rappers who have changed the game of hip-hop over the years like Eminem, Big Sean, etc.