20 Rappers to Watch in 2023

Complex compiled a list of 20 rappers we believe you should be paying attention to in 2023—from Lola Brooke and Monaleo to Bandmanrill and Luh Tyler.

rappers to watch 2023 lead image
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

rappers to watch 2023 lead image

Hip-hop was a lot of fun in 2022, and it’s only getting better. 

TikTok and Twitch continued to take the rap world by storm, allowing artists to go viral in new and unique ways. Rappers like Lola Brooke, TiaCorine, Cash Cobain, and more were able to create moments off the strength of viral songs, and then have fans carry it the rest of the way. “Don’t Play With It” has become inescapable, “Freaky T” is currently having its moment despite the song dropping in September, and “sexy drill” is taking the New York rap scene by storm, all thanks to their free-spirited energy and trends backing them. This past year also illustrated how rap has no age limit, with artists like 16-year-old Luh Tyler showcasing their skills while still in high school.


If 2022 proved anything, it’s that hip-hop is in a good place, and continues to become more sonically diverse, filled with fresh, new faces. With that in mind, Complex compiled a list of 20 rappers we believe you should be paying attention to in 2023. More recognizable names like Lola Brooke or Monaleo were no-brainers, but there are also several emerging acts like Bandmanrill, Skaiwater, and Eem Triplin, who we believe are due for big years. Any artists we’ve highlighted in our previous Rappers to Watch lists are also ineligible. These are Complex’s picks for the rappers to watch in 2023.

Lola Brooke

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

For fans of: GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion 

Listen to these songs first: “Don’t Play With It,” “Back to Business,” “Here I Come”


Lola Brooke may be petite in stature, but the emerging rapper has a giant voice that’s bound to blow listeners away. The Bed-Stuy native gained attention in 2021 with the gritty and commanding anthem “Don’t Play With It,” featuring fellow BK rapper Billy B. After a slow build on streaming, the record soon gained viral attention on social media platforms like TikTok. Lola Brooke proved her newfound fame wasn’t a fluke, though, delivering “Back to Business” and “Here I Come” in the months following her breakout hit. It’s no debate that women in rap are having a renaissance, but what makes the her a standout among so many is her gruff vocals and intimidating flows over sinister beats. If there is any indicator that Lola Brooke is on the brink of a major moment, it would be her success over the last few months. On December 31, 2022, the rookie got the biggest cosign of her career thus far when Future brought her out as a guest at his sold-out tour stop at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. And on Jan. 9, she inked a deal with Arista Records in collaboration with Team Eighty Productions. Lola Brooke already feels almost too established for this list.  —Jessica McKinney

Bandmanrill

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: Bizzy Banks, Sha EK, Kay Flock

Listen to these songs first: “Heartbroken,” “Close Friends,” “I Am Newark”

New York City owns the drill scene right now, but across the river, in Newark, New Jersey, rapper Bandmanrill has been steadily pushing his own version of the subgenre forward. Jersey Club beats are most commonly built for dancing. The production is so fast that it’s extremely challenging to catch the beat to rap over it, yet Bandman has built his career off doing just that. “Yeah, I rap on club but I don’t dance, bitch I tote, I tote,” he spits on “Mr.Dontcuffthat.” Other breakout tracks like “Heartbroken” show his rapping skills, while songs like “I Am Newark” demonstrate a unique fusion between sample drill and Jersey drill. The Jersey drill scene is even more niche than the burgeoning sample drill subgenre, but the 20-year-old rapper is leading the emerging sound with the confidence and authority of a veteran. —Jordan Rose

JELEEL!

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: Trippie Redd, Ski Mask the Slump God, Playboi Carti

Listen to these songs first: “DIVE IN!,” “JELEEL JUICE!,” “UNCIVILIZED! (GO!)”


JELEEL!’s stage name alone tells you a lot about him. It’s in all caps because it’s meant to be screamed. The Rhode Island artist is a ball of energy distilled in a hulking human body; his natural enthusiasm is only matched by his ridiculous athletic abilities. And by athletic ability, we mean what we see exhibited by his backflips off stages and into mosh pits during his shows. JELEEL!’s music matches his personality, with songs like “DELIVER!,” which have emphatic lyrics paired with electric music videos that help bring the tracks to life. You don’t need espresso in the morning, just turn on any JELEEL! track and it’ll serve the same purpose, without the caffeine drawbacks. Even if you’re not watching him in 2023, you’ll surely hear him.  —Jordan Rose

Bktherula

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: Don Toliver, Kaash Paige

Listen to these songs first: “Left Right,” “Tweakin Together” 


Bktherula is one of the hidden gems on this list. The 20-year-old rapper has gotten some attention over the last two years, but she’s yet to fully blow up. Hailing from Atlanta, she began uploading music to her SoundCloud page at the age of 13. It wasn’t until 2018, though, that her singles “Faygo” and “Left Right” caught on. By 2020, her single “Tweakin’ Together” went viral on TikTok. The track is a hazy record that flexes soft and feminine vocals over scattered production. The song was also featured on her album Love Santana. In addition to a few other successful singles like “Keep da K” and “Vaderz” with Rico Nasty, Bktherula also expanded her reach by earning a placement in the sports video game NBA2K22. She’s set to perform at Rolling Loud California this March. So, it’s only up from here. —Jessica McKinney

Chris Patrick

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: J. Cole, JID, Smino

Listen to these songs first: “Oakland Interlude,” “Gang Activity,” “On The Radar” Freestyle


Chris Patrick is a rapper to watch in 2023, but he’s been around long before now. The Jersey native has been spinning vivid lyrical tales for over half a decade now, and he’s steadily improved his craft with each passing year. What made last year so exciting for Patrick, though, was the release of his debut album, X-Files, which showcased all the new skills he’s added to his toolkit, from smooth crooning melodies to even more creative bars. The album’s rollout was punctuated by his “On The Radar” freestyle, where the Jersey rapper spit over Kendrick’s “The Heart Part 5” with a tenacity that could rival Dot himself. Chris Patrick is a certified spitter repping the other side of the Hudson River, and this year, he’s going to show even more people why he’s worth listening to. —Jordan Rose

TiaCorine

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: Rico Nasty, Flo Milli, Asian Doll

Listen to these songs first: “Lotto,” “Freaky T” 

TiaCorine blew us away with her live performance at Rolling Loud New York in 2021, and we’ve been paying attention ever since. Hailing from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, TiaCorine began gaining notoriety in 2020. Songs like the quirky and slow-burning track “Lotto” and the bubbly single “Mine” from her ep 34Corine were early indicators of her talent and charm. In 2021, she continued to build on her style and brand with the release of The Saga of 34Corine, which included the animated Kenny Beats-produced song “Luigi.” What caught the most attention, though, was her 2022 single “Freaky T.” The track, which appears on her project I Can’t Wait, is produced by Honorable C.N.O.T.E.; the punchy single finds the rapper weaving in and out of gritty and playful flows. “I get top in the mornin’, so I feel like Baby Keem/Force’s black, step on somethin’, so I dress like Baby D,” she spits. It’s undoubtedly TiaCorine’s liquid gold and a clear sign of why she is the next one to watch.  —Jessica McKinney

Real Boston Richie

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: EST Gee, Lil Durk, Nardo Wick

Listen to these songs first: “Keep Dissing,” “Keep Dissing 2 ft. Lil Durk,” Real Boston Richey ft. Future – Bullseye 2”

Hailing from Tallahassee, Florida, Real Boston Richey has been steadily on his way since he started rapping in 2021. The 25-year-old had his big arrival when he signed to Future’s Freebandz label in 2022, and reportedly inked a $7 million deal with Epic Records at the start of this year. Even though he’s from the South, his music gives off a Detroit vibe with a hint of drill. Richey’s single “Everybody” is currently trending on social media, adding to his quick climb into public awareness. With early co-signs from Lil Durk, Lil Uzi Vert, and more, Richie is being welcomed into the industry with open arms and he’s just getting started. His first project, Public Housing, debuted at number 60 on the Billboard 200, and it’s been up from there. —Drea O.

Chow Lee

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: Ice Spice, A Boogie with da Hoodie, Cash Cobain

Listen to these songs first: “Jholiday,” “STFU Summer,” “Don’t Wait”

Chow Lee raps for the proud treeshes statewide. The New York rapper has steadily been rising the ranks of the sample drill scene over the past few years, but his 2022 mixtape 2 Slizzy 2 Sexy with Cash Cobain was the project that truly began to set him apart. What makes Chow so fun to listen to is how shameless he is with his bars. “I like to get lite, she like bachata/She eat my dick up like empanada/I like henny but she like the zaza/But that’s on my baby I like what she like like,” he raps on “Hornitos,” which also uses a hilarious sample flip of Prince Royce’s “Corazón Sin Cara.” Chow Lee has countless playful bars like that, and his quick, high-pitched rap cadence really makes the lustful bars flutter. As sexy drill continues to gain popularity this year, Chow will be at the center of the sound he helped pioneer.  —Jordan Rose

Monaleo

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: Flo Milli, Rico Nasty, Lakeyah

Listen to these songs first: “Suck It Up,” “Beating Down Yo Block,” “We Not Humping”

Houston’s own Monaleo first garnered attention with her budding single “Beating Down Yo Block” in 2021 and kept momentum with releases like “Suck It Up” and “We Not Humping.” The 21-year-old’s emphatic wordplay, likable personality, and even more attractive sound quickly turns new listeners into supportive admirers. Lyricism runs deep in her family, with her younger brother also putting work as an MC under the moniker Yung Rampage. Monaleo told Hypebeast that she can see herself “going back and forth between R&B and hip-hop” in the future—a sound she shows us hints of on her melodic single “Miss U Already” and effortless flowing “Faneto Freestyle.” It’s only up from here for Monaleo. —Drea O.

Destroy Lonely

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert

Listen to these songs first: “No Stylist,” “Bane,” “JETLGGD”

Playboi Carti’s Opium label came up big when he signed Ken Carson. Now, he’s also got Destroy Lonely, a rapper who’s also got what it takes to level up the imprint. In mid-2022, Destroy Lonely emerged from the camp with No Stylist, a pulsing collage of intergalactic sounds, quirky flows and tongue-in-cheek humor that presents the type of distinct persona (and sonic palette) a marketing team can’t generate. As the son of former Disturbing Tha Peace rapper I-20, rap is in Lonely’s blood. His buzz began to materialize with the release of “Bane,” a 2019 effort that laces a video game soundtrack with jittery flows and playful vocal intonations. The track racked up tens of millions of streams across multiple platforms, and by the end of 2021, he’d signed with Carti’s label. With his stream count, all-around talent and proximity to a rabid fan base, this year should be his best yet. — Peter A. Berry

Cash Cobain

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: B-Lovee, Shawny Binladen, Chow Lee

Listen to these songs first: “Just Blick It,” “Slizzy Like,” “Jenni”


Cash Cobain is the godfather of sample drill thanks to his elite producing skills; the 23-year-old made the beat for B-Lovee’s “My Everything,” Shawny Binladen’s “Yellow Tears,” and more, but has now found success behind the mic too. NYC streets are already familiar with Cobain’s production tagline “And this beat from Cash, not from YouTube,” but now—thanks to his seductive flows and creative punchlines—people know him for his bars as well. He and frequent trackmate Chow Lee have been pushing NY drill forward with their latest addition to the subgenre, “sexy drill.” While still producing almost all the tracks on his and Chow Lee’s 2022 collab album 2 Slizzy 2 Sexy, Cobain proved that he’s as nice in the booth as he is outside of it. Standout tracks like “Slizzy Like,” “Just Blick It,” and “Cash Cobella Chow Cobizzy,” showcase how Cobain can confidently hang with his other drill contemporaries on the mic as well. —Jordan Rose

Eem Triplin

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: Shordie Shordie, $not

Listen to these songs first: “Awkward Freestyle,” “Just Friends,” “If You Go”


Eem Triplin got on as a producer ($not’s “Revenge,” Token’s “Pink”), but for the last year, songs he’s released as a solo artist have gotten him a lot of attention, cementing him as a rapper in his own right. He’s always rapped, and over the last year, his muted ruminations on romance have helped make him a blossoming star. Just take a look at “Awkward Freestyle.” Released in spring 2022, the track, which samples Tyler, The Creator’s “Awkward,” has accumulated tens of millions of streams across various platforms, while relatable songs like “Just Friends” have also done numbers. Bangers like “Walked In” only helped his cause. All of this led to him landing a spot on Lucki’s U.S. tour and trendy lists like this one. The hype has yet to dissipate, and with a new project in the works, it feels a lot more likely that it will only continue to grow. —Peter A. Berry

Luh Tyler

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: Babytron, Larry June, Sleepy Hallow

Listen to these songs first: “Back Flippin,” “Law & Order pt. 2,” “Jayda Wayda”

Luh Tyler is only 16 years old, and he just might be having the most fun in rap right now. The Florida rapper is the embodiment of low-budget, low-stakes vibes, with some songs that sound like they could have been made in between high school class periods, yet still have an air of cool that only a free-spirited kid with few responsibilities could pull off. Songs like “Back Flippin” are a perfect reflection of that, with witty one-liners and super simple visuals to match. It’s Luh Tyler’s innate self-assurance that makes him interesting as well. Think Agent Cody Banks meets The Fresh Prince, but if Will was from Tallahassee. Florida rap has a clear influence on Tyler’s sound, but he also taps into playful samples, like borrowing from the Law & Order theme song for “Law & Order pt. 2.” Luh Tyler’s teenage swag radiates through his music, and it will carry him through a successful 2023. —Jordan Rose

2Rare

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: Young Thug, Lil Durk

Listen to these songs first: “Do It Again,” “Big Drippa” 

Philly rap is getting an extra look lately, and it’s not only because of big artists like Lil Uzi Vert. 2Rare is the latest native garnering buzz for his hometown with his fun and energetic flows over danceable beats. The rapper broke through in 2019 with his single “Big Bag,” which ultimately helped land him a joint venture deal with 10K Projects, Internet Money Records, and Homemade Projects. The following year, he gained even more success after dropping “Big Drippa,” a slow-burning and smooth record that finds him sliding over a tropical beat, courtesy of 77beats and Evince Beats. In 2022, 2Rare dropped “Q-Pid” featuring Lil Durk and “Do It Again” with NLE Choppa. He also got a major co-sign from Drake, who gave the rapper a cameo in the music video for “Sticky.” —Jessica McKinney

Skaiwater

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: SSGKobe, Shiloh Dynasty, SoFaygo

Listen to these songs first: “Miles,” “Eyes” 


With gently lithe vocals and a surreal blend of hyperpop sounds, Skaiwater’s music is as ethereal as his name suggests. The UK artist has been making waves since he began dropping projects on SoundCloud about five years ago. He reached a new level in 2022, though, with the release of “Miles,” a dreamy single with soul-baring confessions and pleading lyrics that sound sincere without being cheesy. The track’s since accumulated over 30 million Spotify streams while getting a Lil Uzi Vert-assisted Jersey Club remix. Tracks like “Eyes” have also done numbers. Signed to Cinematic Music Group, Skai is coming off opening for Lil Nas X’s Long Live Montero Tour this past fall, and that co-sign feels like a proverbial harbinger of things to come. With versatile soundscapes that are perfect for the club or a rave, it’s not all that hard to see Skai sliding into more playlists this year. —Peter A. Berry

midwxst

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: XXXTentacion, Blxst, Pi’erre Bourne 

Listen to these songs first: “Threefaced,” “i know you hate me” 

midwxst is only 19 years old, but he’s already been on our radar for quite some time. We first took notice of the Carmel, Indiana native in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2020, he self-released his debut project, Secrets. The project included the standout tracks “Threefaced” and “Decay,” which showcased his knack for creating songs that blend melodic trap with hyper-pop. Since then, midwxst has remained consistent, dropping a list of projects and singles that continue to establish his unique and polished sound. There are a handful of tracks that encapsulate midwxst as an artist, including 2022’s “i know you hate me,” which is an emotionally-rich and melodious track that is anchored in electric guitar strings. midwxst may still be waiting on his global or viral hit, but the moment feels like it is soon approaching.  —Jessica McKinney

Homixide Gang

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: Playboi Carti

Listen to these songs first: “55 Lifestyle,” “5unna,” “SSN”


If you loved Whole Lotta Red, you would probably like Homixide Gang, a crew Playboi Carti signed to his Opium label a couple of years ago. Comprised of Homixide Beno! and Homixide Meechie, Homixide Gang pairs spastic delivery with glitchy beats that could soundtrack old Super Nintendo games. The Atlanta duo serves up apocalyptic thrills in much the same vein as their label boss. Tracks like “5unna” and “55 Lifestyle” have gotten the most attention, but their buzz isn’t confined to one or two songs. To date, they’ve dropped two original projects, Snotty World and Homixide Lifestyle. Each album has gotten a little more attention than the last, and with Snotty Hill on the way, the gang is in a perfect spot to further establish themselves as one of rap’s best new duos. As part of an Opium crew that includes Ken Carson and Destroy Lonely amongst others, their ability to stand out is a testament to their talent. —Peter A. Berry

CEO Trayle

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: Gucci Mane and Young Thug

Listen to these songs first: “OK Cool,” “Percocet Pain” ft. Babyface Ray, “Chokehold,” “Rendezvous”


As charismatic as he is dexterous, CEO Trayle rode his shapeshifting flows and knack for dynamic songwriting to new heights in 2022, and we predict the same in 2023. Although he began releasing projects in 2014, his first breakthrough didn’t truly begin until he released “Ok Cool” in 2020. The track saw Trayle oscillate between pettiness and genuine heartbreak for the type of jagged love song that could only come from a skillful pen. Once Gunna hopped on the remix, the track got the attention it deserved, and for Trayle, it’s generally been up ever since. Between 2021 and 2022, he fortified his buzz with projects like Stay Dangerous, Happy Halloween C4, Vier, and HH5; each effort fueled conversation about the artist, who clearly had a whole lot to say and a stylish way of saying it. — Peter A. Berry

$hyfromdatre

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

For fans of: Don Toliver, Kaash Paige

Listen to these songs first: “Go Bestfriend,” “6000 Degrees”

$hyfromdatre is one of the more up-and-coming rappers on this list, but she’s still made a huge splash over the last few years. The rapper is an emerging star out of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She began rapping when she was just a teenager, but broke through in 2019 with her hit single “Go Bestfriend” that flexed her menacing and rapid flows. In 2020, the rapper hit fans with another hit, “1730 G” The same year, the music video for “Go Bestfriend,” which depicts the star’s feisty personality, hit more than 10 million views. $hyfromdatre is one of the women in rap bringing that gritty and authoritative sound to the forefront. —Jessica McKinney

Billy B

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

For fans of: Nicki Minaj, Latto, Bia

Listen to these songs first: “Break,” “Don’t Play With It,” “Big Brooklyn”

It’s an exciting time for women in New York rap right now and Jahdira Atkins, professionally known as Billy B, is one of the rising leaders of the pack. The Brooklyn native has been putting in work since 2015 on the East Coast and recently made national waves when she and Lola Brooke released their smash viral single “Don’t Play With It.” Billy told BET that the music video embodied the city’s current vibe saying, “I think that’s why it picked up the way it did because you could feel the energy through the visuals.” Billy has a likeability and charm that radiates through her raps and she exhibits the stimulating new energy New York hip-hop is showcasing right now. In her single “Big Brooklyn” Billy raps about people sleeping on her, saying “she wasn’t tripping though,” and she shouldn’t be, with an EP dropping in Spring 2023 with Gotham Music Group, we’re at full attention, and patiently waiting for more. —Drea O.

Latest in Music