In this blog post, we mention some of the best Atlanta rappers of all time. Atlanta has been aptly dubbed the “hip hop center of gravity” by The New York Times, and has been holding titles like these since the 90’s. In a place with vast culture, Hiphop has definitely put Atlanta on the map, entertaining fans of the genre — loud and clear. With music that tops the charts, here is a list of some of the best rappers to come out of Atlanta.
Best Atlanta Rappers Of All Time
1. Gucci Mane
Gucci Mane began writing poetry as a child and began rapping at age 14. He helped pioneer the hip hop subgenre of trap music alongside fellow Atlanta-based rappers T.I. and Young Jeezy, particularly in the 2000s and 2010s. In 2005, Gucci released his debut studio album, ‘Trap House“, which climbed its way onto the Billboard Top 20 R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and sparked his initial popularity in the industry. In 2007, he founded his own label, 1017 Records. He then served a 2-year prison sentence from 2014 to 2016 for possession of firearms. But, he re-invented himself with new projects such as Everybody Looking in 2016. After a collaboration with Rae Sremmurd, he ranked top on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for his single “Black Beatles”. This incident gave wings to Gucci and he released numerous projects. He’s also worked with artists such as Drake, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Selena Gomez, Mariah Carey, and Marilyn Manson.
2. Future
Future thrived by being underestimated or under-credited. He wrote the hook that made his 2011 collaboration with YC, “Racks,” a breakthrough smash for both artists. Each time a single from Pluto gained steam, a bigger star hopped on the song and hogged some of Future’s spotlight: Drake on “Tony Montana,” T.I. on “Magic,” Diddy on “Same Damn Time,” Lil Wayne on “Turn On The Lights,” Kelly Rowland on “Neva End.” Future also blessed Ace Hood with “Bugatti,” B.o.B with “Ready,” Rocko with “U.O.E.N.O.,” and piloted “Tapout” for Birdman’s first Rich Gang release. Noticeably, the key element to Future’s success was his ability to craft a killer hook. He also cites one of his big inspirations as 70s Rock legend Jimmy Hendrix.
3. 21 Savage
In 2013, 21 Savage was shot six times, and his best friend was killed. But this low point led him to rapping, and crafting dark trap anthems. He released his debut single, “Picky”, on November 12, 2014. He released the mixtapes The Slaughter Tape and Slaughter King in 2015. 21 Savage released his debut EP Free Guwop in 2015. His second EP Savage Mode (with Metro Boomin) was released in 2016 and reached #7 on the US Rap chart as well as #9 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart and #30 on the Billboard 200 chart. He was apart of the 2016 XXL Freshman class, got three double platinum-selling songs (“Bank Account,” “X,” and “No Heart”), two gold-certified projects (Issa Album, Savage Mode), and a chart-topping song (his feature on Post Malone’s “Rockstar,” which went No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for eight weeks). Nonetheless, 21 Savage’s popularity and fan-base is largely attributed to his low-key personality, rap style and lyrics.
4. Offset
Offset has quickly won over even the most staunch critics of Migos. He’s set himself as the go-to rapper in the group especially with the No. 1 hit “Bad and Boujee”. It also seemed to kick off a feverish discussion about the oft-slept on merits of Offset (as well as the constant underappreciation of Takeoff – who was left off of the smash hit). Aside from his incredible success as part of Migos, Offset has released various songs solo, in which he collaborates with various artists, including the likes of Drake, and Macklemore. Some include “Ric Flair Drip” with Metro Boomin and “Clout” with Cardi B. Offset is no stranger to run-ins with the law, and previously received felony convictions for burglary and theft. Following a violation of his probation for said felonies, he was incarcerated in DeKalb County Jail, Georgia, in 2013.
5. Young Thug
Young Thug has been a growing force in hip-hop for the better part of a decade. His instantly recognisable alto voice has seen him rise through the charts. Young Thug started to gain recognition 2014 with the singles “Stoner” and “Danny Glover” in addition to appearances on several singles, including T.I.’s “About the Money“, Tyga’s “Hookah”, and Rich Gang’s “Lifestyle.” In 2017, Thug featured on the hit song “Havana” by Cuban pop singer Camila Cabello, which became his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2018, he released a compilation album Slime Language with his label YSL Records. In 2019, he won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for his songwriting contribution on “This Is America”. Apart from music Young Thug is watched as a fashion icon and a man with outlandish personality considering his wardrobe which is eccentric in nature.
6. Playboi Carti
Playboi Carti is known for his mumbled lyrics and experimental style. His style of rapping is spare and repetitive, more concerned with flow and catchy phrases. Carti started his career with the stage name of Sir Cartier. In 2012, he decided to change his musical style and deleted almost all his previous content from the internet. Then he adopted the new stage name of Playboi Carti. In April 2017, Carti released his eponymous debut mixtape which debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200. The mixtape had two hit singles, ‘Magnolia’ and ‘Woke Up Like This’ (featuring Lil Uzi Vert). He soon released his debut album “Die Lit”, and immediately landed at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. In December of 2020, Carti released the 24-track album “Whole Lotta Red” which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200.
7. 2 Chainz
Once known as ‘Tity Boi‘ from the Atlanta-based Playaz Circle, 2 Chainz launched a successful solo career in 2010. His breakout year was 2012, when he landed on Kanye West’s “Mercy” and Nicki Minaj’s “Beez in the Trap” before dropping his official debut, Based on a T.R.U. Story, for Def Jam. With three platinum hits — “No Lie” featuring Drake, “Birthday Song” featuring Kanye West, and “I’m Different” — the album hit number one on the Billboard 200, and easily reached platinum status.
8. Lil Baby
Lil Baby was born in Atlanta, Georgia in December 1994. He battled drug abuse and spent time incarcerated begore his rap career began with the group 4PF (Four Pockets Full). In 2017 when he dropped his debut mixtape ‘Perfect Timing’, and the following year, he unveiled his debut studio album Harder Than Ever. The projected boasted a mile-long list of guest appearances, including Drake, Young Thug, and Offset and became known for his tracks ‘My Dawg’, ‘Freestyle’, ‘Yes Indeed’, and ‘Drip Too Hard’.
9. Gunna
Gunna was born in College Park, Georgia in June 1993. He made a name for himself with the “Drip Season” mixtape series, and is best known for his song “Drip too Hard” in collaboration with Lil Baby. The mixtape reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. He’s signed to 300 Entertainment and Young Thug’s record label, YSL Records.
10. YFN Lucci
YFN Lucci is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. Lucci, whose real name is Rashawn Bennett, signed a record deal in 2014 with Think It’s A Game Entertainment, and releasing the acclaimed mixtape, Wish Me Well. In 2017, he released his first album, Long Live Nut. It reached number 27 on the Billboard 200 chart. Lucci is best known for his songs ‘Keys To The Streets‘, ‘Everyday We Lit‘ and ‘I Wonder Why‘.
11. K Camp
K Camp born on April 27, 1990, released his debut EP for the year of April 24, 2014. Later on, he’ѕ dеbut ѕіnglе “Сut Неr Оff” реаkеd аt No. 49 оn thе Віllbоаrd Ноt 100 Сhаrt еаrnіng hіm а nоmіnаtіоn fоr Веѕt Сlub Ваngеr аt 2014 ВЕТ Нір Нор аwаrdѕ. Тhе ѕоng fеаturіng 2 Сhаіnѕ аlѕо gаіnеd numbеr 1 роѕіtіоn оn UЅА Тоdау’ѕ urbаn аіrрlау сhаrt. However, the release of his song ‘Lottery (Renegade)’ in early 2019 changed everything. The track initially had a slow build up, but then a few months later, users of TikTok made it go viral on and has since been used in nearly 30m TikTok videos that have collectively generated more than 3bn views.
12. Russ
Unlike many artists, he got his start doing everything himself—rapping, writing, singing, producing, mixing and mastering. Russ released his debut studio album There’s Really a Wolf in 2017 and the album reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200, No. 4 on the US Rap and US R&B/Hip-Hop charts, and No. 9 in Canada. His second album Zoo was released in 2018 and reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the US Rap and US R&B/Hip-Hop charts. His proven himself to be an independent, successful do-it-yourself act.
13. T.I
T.I has released ten studio albums. Seven of which have reached the top five of the Billboard 200 chart. In 2003, he signed with Atlantic Records and launched his own label imprint known as Grand Hustler Records. He released his second and one of his most successful studio albums to date, Trap Muzik. As a rapper, T.I is credited for popularizing the hip-hop subgenre of trap music, along with rappers Jeezy and Gucci Mane.
14. Andre 3000
Andre 3000 is probably best known for being part of the duo Outkast alongside Big Boi. They both helped bring “southern hip hop” to the forefront while creating their own unique blend. “Player’s Ball,” their debut single, hit No. 1 on the rap charts. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, hit the Top 20 in 1994 and in 1996, Outkast released ATLiens, which also went platinum. 1998’s Aquemini also went double platinum. However, it’s the 2000 album, Stankonia, that propelled Outkast into superstardom with hits like “B.O.B.”, and “Ms. Jackson,” putting the duo into triple-platinum status. Never to be outdone, 2003’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below offered fans “Hey Ya” and “The Way You Move.”
15. Killer Mike
Since the beginning of his career, Killer Mike has released five full-length albums as a solo and four as a collaborative artist. The Grammy-winning rapper’s debut came on the track “Snappin’ & Tappin’” on OutKast’s 2000 album Stankonia. Killer Mike has also released the albums series Run the Jewels with rapper-producer El-P.
16. Childish Gambino (Donald Glover)
While working as a writer on “30 Rock,” Glover released the independent mixtape “Sick Boi” in June 2008 under the stage name Childish Gambino. As he worked on his debut album, Glover approached the “Community” score composer, Ludwig Göransson, to assist him with production. His debut studio album “Camp” debuted as No. 11 on the Billboard 200. Recently, his music video, ‘This Is America’ went viral.
17. Ludacris
Ludacris is the founder of ‘Disturbing tha Peace’, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings. He made his mainstream breakthrough in 2000 with his second album, Back for the First Time. The album reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200, eventually selling more than 3 million copies. Rolling Stone picked up on Ludacris’ lively rap style, calling him “that rare brand of rapper who shows you his skills as much as he tells you about them.”
18. B.o.B
B.O.B got his first big break when he signed a record deal with Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment and Atlantic Records. He then produced the album The Adventures of Bobby Ray. The album The Adventures of Bobby Ray debuted at #1 on the album chart. B.o.B.’s success did not stop with his debut single “Nothin’ On You.” He followed it with two more smash top 10 hit singles “Airplanes” and “Magic.”
19. Lil Yachty
Lil Yachty gained recognition in 2015 when he released his debut singles ‘Minnesota’ and ‘One Night’. Lil Yachty’s success came when Drake’s OVO Sound Radio aired one of his first singles ‘Minnesota”. His big breakthrough came when he released his track ‘1Night’, which he posted online and went viral. “Broccoli,” which features the Atlanta-born rapper Shelley FKA DRAM, peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
20. Soulja Boy
Soulja Boy made his fame after releasing “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” in 2007. His second and third albums were not as successful, with the third album reaching an all-time low for the musician. After that, he began releasing numerous mixtapes from 2011 to 2014 and found major success in doing so.
You may also like: