The music scene has no geographical boundaries. Regardless of where you were born or where you grew up, as long as you have the passion, you can make it big in the music world. To prove this, today we want to go through the 50 best Memphis rappers of all time.
All of these rappers were either born, raised, or both in Memphis and represent that city located on the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee wholeheartedly. I don’t know about you, but any one of these Memphis hip-hop masters can make me want to get up and jam instantly.
Below are the 50 best Memphis rappers of all time
- Moneybagg Yo
- Young Dolph
- Three 6 Mafia
- Key Glock
- NLE Choppa
- Juicy J
- Glorilla
- Yo Gotti
- Pooh Shiesty
- Big30
- Finesse 2Tymes
- Bigg Scarr
- Blac Youngsta
- Duke Deuce
- Big Boogie
- Gloss Up
- Big Moochie Grape
- Lil Double 0
- Kenny Muney
- Big Homiie G
- Blocboy JB
- Jay Fizzle
- K Carbon
- Action Pack
- Fresco Trey
- Sett
- Kevo Muney
- Jucee Froot
- Dee Mula
- Lil Migo
- EBG EJizzle
- 8Ball and MGJ
- Project Pat
- Gangsta Boo
- DJ Paul
- Lord Infamous
- Playa Fly
- Xavier Wulf
- Tommy Wright III
- Young Buck
- Don Trip
- Starlito
- Kingpin Skinny Pimp
- Chris Travis
- Al Kapone
- Koopsta Knicca
- Gangsta Blac
- Drumma Boy
- La Chat
- Crunchy Black
1. Moneybagg Yo
Originating from South Memphis, Moneybagg Yo has come a long way from his debut back in 2012. He worked hard, mastered his Memphis hip-hop craft, and is now considered one of, if not THE best Memphis rapper currently. Don’t believe me? Just listen to Scorpion one time and I guarantee you’ll become a Moneybagg believer.
Moneybagg’s music delves into some serious real world problems such as street life, struggles, and success. This unfiltered and uncensored take on rapping really resonated with his audience and that established him as one of the most prominent figures in the Memphis rap scene.
2. Young Dolph
Young Dolph is a name some newcomers to the Memphis hip-hop scene but not know too much about. However, he’s what I consider to be the original Memphis rapper. While he was grinding since the late 2000s, his 2014 track “Peaches” was what really made him become an international household name.
Unfortunately, he was gone too soon. A devastating 2021 incident led to Young Dolph losing his life, However, he left behind a legacy that will not be forgotten any time soon. In addition to having actual proteges, he also successfully influenced at least half of the best Memphis rappers of today, all of whom we will be mentioning here today.
3. Three 6 Mafia
If you’ve seen the movie “Hustle & Flow,” then I’m certain you’ve already heard one of Three 6 Mafia’s most iconic releases, “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp.” After all, they won an Academy Award for Best Original Song because of it. Three 6 Mafia is a group of rappers from Memphis, Tennessee, and their unique style has influenced the Memphis hip-hop scene greatly.
Now, if you’re unfamiliar with the Memphis rap scene, then don’t be surprised if you see the name of this group pop up a bunch of times on this list. After all, it’s easily the most influential group in the entire Memphis rap scene and has produced several prominent Memphis based rappers who have all gone on to become successful in their own right.
4. Key Glock
Many Memphis hip-hop believers say that Young Dolph walked so that Key Glock could run, and there’s no surprise as to why. Not only is Key Glock the protegee of the legendary Memphis rapper, but he has also established himself as a unique household name with his catchy Memphis rapping style.
As a matter of fact, Young Dolph was Key Glock’s cousin, which might have been why Key signed to Paper Route Empire, Young Dolph’s label, which helped boost his career. He has garnered an extremely dedicated fanbase thanks to hit tracks like “Major,” “Russian Cream,” and “Yea!!”
5. NLE Choppa
Here’s a name that Memphis hip-hop enjoyers of today will recognize very well. While NLE Choppa hasn’t been in the Memphis rapping scene for long since he debuted in 2018, he has since become one of the best Memphis rappers of all time. With songs like Walk Em Down,” “Shotta Flow,” and “Camelot,” NLE Choppa is a name that comes up a lot in my Spotify playlists.
6. Juicy J
Yeah, we went through Three 6 Mafia already, but I believe Juicy J has released enough solo hits to warrant a separate name on this list. While he’s part of Three 6 Mafia as a co-founder, his solo hits like “Bandz a Make Her Dance” will make Juicy J a name to remember for you.
In addition to having his career propelled thanks to Three 6 Mafia, Juicy J also collaborated with several notable figures in the Memphis rap industry. He found a unique style that separated him from the rest of his peers, and he is now considered to be the best Memphis rapper to ever be affiliated with Three 6 Mafia, which is a feat in itself.
7. Glorilla
Glorilla has recently taken over the Memphis rap game with her 2022 hit “F.N.F.” While many people were assuming she was going to be a one hit wonder, she has since then proven everyone wrong. With names like Tomorrow 2,” and “Blessed,” she is a Memphis rapper who isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
8. Yo Gotti
Hailing from Memphis, Yo Gotti is a Memphis rapper who has been in the hip-hop game since the 1990s. While he didn’t find success until years later, there’s something to be said about the dedication someone must have to stay in this scene for so long. Eventually, he was able to find his unique style that masterfully blended storytelling with street-oriented lyrics that resonated with fans all over the world.
He hasn’t only been a rapper either. He also founded CMG (Collective Music Group), which went on to sign Moneybagg Yo, and other Memphis based rappers, further contributing to the rap scene’s growth Today, Yo Gotti is an easily recognizable household name as one of the best Memphis rappers of all time.
9. Pooh Shiesty
Pooh Shiesty might have had a rather short lived career in hip-hop and rapping because of his incarceration, but boy did he leave his mark. Pooh Shiesty was one of the hottest artists and one of the most influential Memphis rap artists in hip hop in 2020. His gritty lyrics and extremely energetic delivery style contributed to him being loved by rap fans all over the world.
Pooh Shiesty’s breakout single, “Back in Blood,” featuring Lil Durk, became a chart-topping hit, and he seems to have polished his craft even more since then.
10. Big30
Pooh Shiesty and Big30 both owe their claim to fame to the same collaborations. However, while Pooh had to face his incarceration, Big30 was pumping out hit after hit. He is now considered to be one of the fastest rising stars not only in Memphis rapping but in rapping as a whole. I can’t wait to see how high he’s able to climb in his rapping career.
11. Finesse 2Tymes
Finesse 2Tymes is a Memphis rapper who was already rather well known all the way back in the late 2010s. However, because of a rather unfortunate situation regarding a prison sentence, his career was halted. Worry not, though, because as soon as he got out of prison he started pumping out hit after hit without missing a single time.
12. Bigg Scarr
Outside of collaborating with 1017 and the So Icy Boyz as well as being signed to Gucci Mane’s record in 2017, Bigg Scarr has a more than impressive catalogue of music. With albums like Big Grim Reaper and Big Grim Reaper 2, he has more than made his mark in the Memphis rap scene, deserving a place in our list of best Memphis rappers.
13. Blac Youngsta
Blac Youngsta is what you might call an all in one deal. In addition to being a more than impressive Memphis rapper with hits like “Booty” and “Hip Hopper,” he also fancies himself an entertainer. Well, entertain he does, as there’s never a dull moment when Blac Youngsta is around.
14. Duke Deuce
If you’re looking for a Memphis rapper who proudly displays his Memphis background in his music, then Duke Deuce is your guy. After all, he even has a song called Memphis Massacre, Personally, my favorite thing about him, in addition to his music, is how he wants to bring crunk back into the mainstream Memphis hip-hop scene.
15. Big Boogie
If you ask the average Big Boogie enjoyer when they found out about this specific Memphis rapper, chances are they’ll say in 2020 when his hit, “Mental Healing” came out. However, Big Boogie has been on the scene since 2017. With that being said, 2020 is when he got his lucky break and started truly dominating the hip-hop scene.
16. Gloss Up
Gloss Up is a unique case. While to many she’s a Memphis rapper who debuted back in 2010, to a dedicated few, she has been active since 2015 when she started her YouTube channel. Having been signed to the Quality Control record label, she is one of the fastest rising Memphis rappers around.
17. Big Moochie Grape
Don’t let his goofy name distract you. Big Moochie Grape used to be Young Dolph’s apprentice and has since then made his own name in the Memphis rapping scene. Don’t believe me? Just give the 2022 album East Haiti Baby a listen and you’ll find yourself jamming to his music too.
18. Lil Double 0
Lil Double 0 made his appearance in the Memphis hip-hop scene back in 2020. However, in no time at all, he has shot up to establish himself as one of the best Memphis rappers currently. Lil Double 0 has quickly grown a sizeable fan base in and outside of the city of Memphis, and he shows no signs of slowing down his climb to the top any time soon.
19. Kenny Muney
Kenny used to be the top freshman artist in Memphis back in 2017. Since then, however, he has gotten in the Memphis rap scene spotlight and established himself as one of the best Memphis rappers currently. With hits like “Narcos,” and “Lowkey,” it looks like he won’t settle for anything but the number one spot.
20. Big Homiie G
Here’s another Memphis rapper who hasn’t been in the scene for too long but has still managed to make a name for himself in a short amount of time. With absolute bangers like “Tick,” he has built up a dedicated fanbase in no time at all and is still working on projects that I just can’t wait for.
21. Blocboy JB
Fans of Drake will most likely recognize Blocboy JB from “Look Alive,” the song that ranked top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Since then, Blocboy JB has released several other hits such as “Shoot,” and “Chopbloc 2,” all the while setting trends for a couple of viral dances in the process.
22. Jay Fizzle
Having debuted back in 2017 with his freshman album “Life of a Lul Gangsta,” Jay Fizzle has since then worked really hard to climb the rank of Memphis rappers. Carrying on the legacy of Young Dolph, Jay Fizzle has become a more than recognizable name in the hip-hop scene, and I can’t wait to see just how far he goes.
23. K Carbon
K Carbon first came into the hip-hop scene with her hit song, “Clout.” Since then, she has released a handful of more standout songs in order to establish her presence as one of the best Memphis rappers around. While many assumed she would be a one hit wonder, she has since then proven those people wrong by consistently releasing hits.
24. Action Pack
Action Pack’s rise to the top of the Memphis rapper world was a long yet calculated one. He started his rise back in 2017, and since then has slowly but surely made a name for himself in the hip-hop community. Finally, with his release of 2022’s “Low Key,” I’m certain he has started pulling out all the stops.
25. Fresco Trey
TikTok is an application that came out rather recently, but it gave potential social media influencers a way to garner a fanbase. Well, Fresco Trey was one of the first rappers to do this. Although many people in the community doubted someone who rose to fame from an app like TikTok could amount to anything in the Memphis rap scene, he has more than left his mark.
26. Sett
If you collaborate with someone as well known as Gucci Mane, then you’re bound to get a one way ticket to hip-hop stardom. Sett is a Memphis rapper who used this exact way to propel himself to the top of the Memphis rap scene. With popular songs like “Piss Sett Off,” and “Snap,” he has garnered a super dedicated fanbase and has no intentions to stop there.
27. Kevo Muney
Kevo Muney started the year 2020 right by releasing one of the biggest songs to hit the city of Memphis, “Leave Some Day.” This was the lucky break this Memphis rapper who debuted in 2018 needed to garner a big enough fanbase to be considered one of the best Memphis rappers of all time.
28. Jucee Froot
Debuting back in the 2010s, Jucee Froot has become an icon that has motivated women all around the world to pursue their dreams. Aside from her being an idol, she has also left a mark in the Memphis rap scene thanks to her catchy tunes and strong presence that eventually led to her building a super dedicated fanbase.
29. Dee Mula
Dee Mula burst into the Memphis hip-hop scene out of nowhere in 2017 and has since then made a name for himself in the entire hip-hop industry. He has also collaborated with big names like BlocBoy JB and Moneybagg Yo to build up an impressive discography of certified hood classics.
30. Lil Migo
Turn back the clock to around 2018 and you’ll find Lil Migo to be one of the fastest growing Memphis rappers in the industry. While he has slowed down his climb since then, he is still active in the scene and continues to represent the Memphis hip-hop scene.
31. EBG EJizzle
In recent years, the up-and-coming artist EJizzle has been getting noticed for his music. He dropped two albums, “In Bezzle Name” in 2021 and “Walking With the Devil EBG” in 2022. Even though he’s relatively new to the scene, EJizzle has already made a big impact in the music world with popular tracks such as “Like Dat,” “Free Double 0,” “Get High,” and “MBlock,” showcasing his impressive talent.
32. 8Ball and MJG
This dynamic duo has been pumping out hit after hit since the 1990s. What’s unique about these two is that they wholeheartedly embrace the Memphis hip-hop feel and implement it into everything they release.
33. Project Pat
Project Pat is the older brother of Three 6 Mafia’s Juicy J, who had a place on this list of best Memphis rappers of all time too. Pat has carved his name in the Memphis hip-hop scene thanks to his raw and unfiltered style. Guess hip-hop talent runs in the family after all, huh?
34. Gangsta Boo
Gangsta Boo, born in 1979, is a well-known female rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. She became famous as part of the legendary hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia. Her bold words and unique fashion have gained her a respected position in the rap world, especially in Southern rap.
35. DJ Paul
Come on, how could we go through the best Memphis rappers of all time without including DJ Paul, a founding member of Three 6 Mafia? His super influential work, both as a solo rapper as well as part of the legendary Thre 6 Mafia, has earned him some major recognition in the hip-hop world. Ah yes, how could we forget how the group also won an Academy Award for Best Original Song?
36. Lord Infamous
Lord Infamous is a legendary and iconic name in the Memphis rap scene. He is widely recognized as being one of the pioneers who pushed for the popular horrorcore sound many top Memphis rappers use today. With his dark lyrics and extremely distinctive flow, it’s a shame that he passed away in 2013, leaving his legacy behind in underground rap.
37. Playa Fly
If you want to listen to the songs of someone who is considered to be a pioneer of the Memphis rap scene, then look no further than Playa Fly. With his influential 1996 album “Da Game Owe Me,” Playa Fly single handedly changed the Memphis hip-hop scene as we know it. His songs stand out because of Playa’s unique flow and gritty lyrics, both of which have cemented him as an influential figure in the Memphis scene.
38. Xavier Wulf
Xavier Wulf has used his unique style of rapping, which consists of a blend of dark, gritty lyrics and experimental production, to amass a super dedicated fanbase. Not only this, but he has also collaborated with a bunch of influential and prominent figures in the rap community to cement himself as a Memphis rapper to keep an eye on.
39. Tommy Wright III
Tommy Wright III is an influential figure who came into the Memphis rap scene back in the 90s. He took full advantage of his gritty and uncensored way of rapping to pump out bangers like “Meet Your Maker” and “Runnin-N-Gunnin.” Today, several young Memphis rappers who were influenced by his original style, are making a name for themselves and they owe it all to Tommy.
40. Young Buck
While Young Buck wasn’t born in Memphis and was instead born in Nashville, he was still raised in Memphis and it shows in his unique style of rapping. Collaborating with 50 Cent as a prominent member of G-Unit, he has faced several legal troubles in his professional career which made it difficult for him to truly establish himself as one of the greats. Regardless, he is still seen as a more than respectable figure in the hip-hop scene.
41. Don Trip
Don Trip is another rapper hailing from Memphis who stands out thanks to his unique style of rapping. Instead of stringing together words, he has a way of implementing storytelling in songs he has put out like “Letter to My Son.” Additionally, he has also collaborated with fellow Memphis rapper, Starlito, several times to cement himself as a prominent figure in the Memphis rap scene.
42. Starlito
Speaking of Starlito, he’s also a prominent figure in the Nashville and Memphis rap scene. Having collaborated with Don Trip and Young Buck several times, both of whom are mentioned here as well, Starlito has built a loyal fanbase thanks to his mixtapes like “Theories” and “Black Sheep Don’t Grin.”
43. Kingpin Skinny Pimp
Raised and born in Memphis, Kingpin Skinny Pimp is another pioneer of the city’s underground rap scene. Having gained recognition in the 1990s for his gritty lyrics and contributions to the “Memphis sound,” he is still seen as a prominent and influential figure in the Memphis hip-hop scene, despite it being decades since he first made his mark.
44. Chris Travis
Having co-founded the collective Seshollowaterboyz, Chris Travis is a rapper and producer who is heavily associated with the Memphis underground rap scene. Known globally for his unique style that mixes cloud and trap rap, he has garnered a dedicated fanbase that loves how Chris is able to implement dark themes and introspection in his music.
45. Al Kapone
Al Kapone is a prominent figure in the Southern hip-hop scene, known especially for his contributions to the Memphis rap scene. The biggest reason he was able to become so famous is because he masterfully blends gangster rap with the unique Memphis sounds that only Memphis rappers can produce.
46. Koopsta Knicca
Having been another member of the legendary Three 6 Mafia group, Koopsta Knicca perfectly contributed to the dark and gritty sounds that made the group so loved in the first place. Tracks like “Mystic Stylez” owe their success to Koopsta, as without him they might not have gone on to be half as successful as they were.
Unfortunately, Koopsta Knicca passed away in 2015, but before that, he was able to leave an unmistakable mark on the Southern rap scene. Through it, he shall be remembered for decades to come.
47. Gangsta Blac
Gangsta Blac is a Memphis based rapper and a pioneer of the Southern rap scene. He is most notably known for tracks like “Don’t Get Mad” and “Can It Be.” Both of these tracks have his unique style that’s made up of gritty lyrics and passion that bleeds into every word. Additionally, he is also known to have greatly affected the Memphis rap culture to bring it where it is today.
48. Drumma Boy
Drumma Boy is an American producer, songwriter, and most notably, rapper. In addition to producing hits for prominent figures in the rap scene like T.I., Gucci Mane, and Young Jeezy, he has also released some tracks of his own which were received very well.
Drumma Boy has a very unique style in the sense that he combines Southern trap with orchestral elements, which are two genres of music that most might assume don’t belong together. Regardless, he has successfully cemented himself as one of the most respected figures in the industry.
49. La Chat
La Chat is a Memphis based rapper who is most notably known for her affiliation with the legendary Three 6 Mafia. If you feel like we’ve mentioned this specific group a bunch of times already, then you’re right. It just goes to show just how influential the group is in the Memphis rap scene.
La Chat has an extremely gritty and street-oriented rap style which made tracks like “Chickenhead” and “Slob on My Cat” really take off. These tracks in particular also helped her establish a dedicated fanbase which just keeps growing.
50. Crunchy Black
To wrap up this article, it’s only right to include one more member of the group Three 6 Mafia, right? Crunchy Black is a founding member of the group and has contributed to their success with hits like “Stay Fly” and “Poppin’ My Collar.”
He owes much of his success to two things. The first thing is his unique style of rapping, which is something every rapper needs if they want to stand out. However, the second thing he owes his success to is his naturally positive and uplifting energy that just makes everyone want to dance every time he’s on stage. Both of these things helped him establish a sizeable fanbase.
FAQs
Who is the most famous Memphis rapper of all time?
The most famous Memphis rapper of all time has to be Juicy J. In addition to being a founding member of the prolific rap group, Three 6 Mafia, he has also had an extremely successful solo career in rapping that has established him as one of the greats.
What is the distinctive style associated with Memphis rappers?
Memphis’ trademark style is identified as gritty, dark, and often horrorcore-influenced. Many Memphis rappers frequently relate their lyrics to real world problems such as street life, crime, addictions, and more. Finally, the use of heavy basslines and haunting melodies also set the Memphis style apart from other regions.
How has the Memphis rap scene evolved over the years?
The rap scene in Memphis has transformed from its underground origins in the 1990s to a more popular presence today. While keeping its distinctive style, it has received attention from artists working with musicians from different areas and achieving success on the charts. Naturally, the arrival of new talents in the scene has also greatly worked toward evolving the Memphis rap scene to what it is today.