There are a few interesting reasons why Chicago is such a hotbed for hip hop and rap music. One reason is that the city has a long history of musical innovation, dating back to its roots as a jazz hub in the early 20th century.
Jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, and Earl Hines all called the Windy City home and helped to lay the foundation for what is now modern hip hop music.
Another reason why so many famous rappers have come from Chicago is because it’s a city of hustlers and entrepreneurs. No matter what their profession, many of the citizens of Chicago are driven to make something out of nothing.
In this article, we will review some of the best names in hip-hop to come out of Chicago.
21 Rappers from Chicago You Need to Follow
With all of that said, this can-do attitude has been reflected in the musical output of the city, with artists like Common, Kanye West, and Chance The Rapper all showcasing that spirit in their work. It is no wonder why so many famous rappers come from the Windy City.
Polo G
Polo G is a rapper from Old Town, Chicago. He was born and raised in the Marshall Field Garden Apartments.
His music blends elements of hip hop and trap to create an infectious sound that has gained him recognition throughout the rap game.
Juice WRLD
Juice WRLD was a rapper from Chicago, IL. He started his career releasing mixtapes on SoundCloud before gaining mainstream success with his 2018 album Goodbye & Good Riddance which featured hit singles such as “Lucid Dreams” and “All Girls Are The Same”.
King Von
King Von is another rapper from Chicago, IL. Born Dayvon Bennett, he began rapping at age 17 after being inspired by fellow Chicago-native Chief Keef.
His 2019 album Grandson, Vol. 1 gained him critical acclaim and commercial success with the hit single “Crazy Story”.
Kanye West
Kanye West is a rapper/producer from Oak Lawn, Chicago, IL. He started his career producing for local rappers before making a name for himself as a solo artist when he dropped his debut album The College Dropout in 2004.
His personal style and production have since gone on to inspire generations of artists.
Lil Durk
Lil Durk is a rapper from South Side, Chicago, IL. His music often discusses the struggles faced by inner-city youth and how they’re able to rise above them through hustle and determination.
He has released five studio albums, two of which were certified Gold by the RIAA and have spawned numerous hit singles.
Chief Keef
Chief Keef is a rapper from Parkway Garden Homes, South Side, Chicago. His distinct style of rapping made him one of the most influential rappers in modern hip-hop music with his 2012 single “I Don’t Like” becoming a street anthem around the world.
In addition to his solo releases, he has also collaborated with many other well-known artists.
G Herbo
G Herbo is a rapper from Chicago, IL who gained notoriety after releasing several mixtapes early on in his career such as Welcome to Fazoland and Pistol P Project.
He is known for his melodic flow and hard-hitting lyrical content which has earned him critical acclaim and commercial success with his releases.
Lil Bibby
Lil Bibby is a rapper from Chicago, IL who started to gain popularity in 2013 when he released his debut mixtape Free Crack.
His music often discusses the harsh realities of growing up on the South Side of Chicago and how one can find hope amidst all the struggles they come across.
Chance The Rapper
Chance The Rapper is a rapper from West Chatham, South Side, Chicago, IL. He gained fame after releasing several critically acclaimed mixtapes such as Acid Rap and Coloring Book which won him three Grammy Awards.
He has continued to break boundaries with his music and is known for his positive message, philanthropy work, and giving back to his community.
Fredo Santana
Fredo Santana was a rapper from Chicago, IL who started making waves in 2012 when he released his debut mixtape It’s A Scary Site.
His gritty yet melodic flow combined with powerful lyrical content made him one of the most respected rappers coming out of Chicago at the time until his untimely death in 2018.
Lil Reese
Lil Reese is a rapper from Chicago, IL who rose to prominence after collaborating with Chief Keef on several tracks such as “I Don’t Like” and “Traffic”.
He has since released several solo projects to critical acclaim and is known for his street-savvy delivery and punchy lyrical content.
Famous Dex
Famous Dex is a rapper from the South Side, Chicago, IL who started gaining attention in 2015 when he released his first mixtape Dexter The Robot. His music often discusses his come up story as well as the struggles of living in the inner city.
He has gone on to collaborate with various A-list artists throughout his career and is currently signed to Rich The Kid’s label Rich Forever Music.
Saba
Saba is an alternative hip-hop artist from the West Side’s Austin neighborhood in Chicago, IL. He gained notoriety after releasing his debut album ComfortZone in 2014 which incorporated elements of jazz and soul into his hip-hop production.
His music often discusses mental health awareness as well as the struggles of poverty in inner-city neighborhoods.
Montana of 300
Montana of 300 is a rapper from Chicago, IL who rose to fame with the release of his mixtape Curse Of The Devil in 2013.
His music blends together elements of trap, drill and gospel to create an eclectic soundscape that has made him one of the most revered rappers coming out of Chicago.
Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco is a rapper from West Side’s Madison Terrace housing project in Chicago, IL. He gained recognition in 2006 when he released his debut album Food & Liquor to critical and commercial acclaim.
Since then, he has gone on to release several albums and mixtapes that have allowed him to cement his place in hip-hop music with its socially conscious lyrical content.
King Louie
King Louie is a rapper from the East Side of Chicago, IL who started making a name for himself in 2011 with his mixtape Drilluminati.
His music often discusses the struggles of living in poverty-stricken neighborhoods as well as addressing issues such as gun violence and police brutality.
Common
Common is a rapper from Hyde Park, South Side, Chicago, IL who started gaining fame after the release of his critically acclaimed 1992 album Can I Borrow A Dollar?
His work often fuses together elements of jazz, soul and hip-hop which has earned him numerous Grammy Awards throughout his career as well as being praised by critics for its positive message.
Earl Sweatshirt
Earl Sweatshirt is a rapper from Chicago, IL who gained notoriety after releasing his debut album Earl in 2010.
His work often blends together elements of punk-rock, jazz and hip-hop to create an alternative soundscape that has allowed him to stand out amongst many other rappers coming out of Chicago at the time.
Twista
Twista is a rapper from West Garfield Park on the West Side of Chicago, IL who first gained fame in the early 90s when he released his debut album Adrenaline Rush.
His trademark rapid-fire delivery has made him one of the most respected MCs to ever come out of Chicago and has been featured on several Billboard charting singles over the years.
Vic Mensa
Vic Mensa is a rapper from Hyde Park, South Side of Chicago, IL who rose to prominence after collaborating with Chance The Rapper on various tracks throughout 2013 and 2014.
He is known for his socially conscious lyricism which often discusses topics such as police brutality and inequality within society.
Joey Purp
Joey Purp is a rapper from Wrigleyville and Humboldt in Chicago, IL who gained recognition in 2016 with the release of his critically acclaimed mixtape iiiDrops. His music often features a wide range of experimental beats that blend together elements of hip-hop, soul and funk to create a unique soundscape.
He has gone on to collaborate with renowned artists such as Vic Mensa, A$AP Rocky and Chance The Rapper throughout his career.
The Life and Stories of Famous Rappers from Chicago
These rappers from Ohio have all helped to shape the hip-hop landscape in different ways. And thanks to the power of social media platforms like IG and TikTok, more are getting noticed daily.
Whether it’s through their socially conscious lyrics or experimental production styles, each artist has carved out a unique style for themselves that will continue to influence hip-hop for many years to come.
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