The faces and landscape of Hip-Hop are constantly changing. New names, faces, gimmicks, and artist brands sometimes feel like a whirlwind. Trying to keep up with all of the antics within the industry and the movement going on can be dizzying. Likeness turnover aside, here are three artists under the age of 30 that we believe are here to stay after their recent successes.
Let us start with the woman of the hour, Doechii. After dropping multiple singles throughout 2024, she capped off a busy summer by releasing her album Alligator Bites Never Heal at the end of August. This consistency displayed within her work ethic and commitment to feeding her fanbase has resulted in her winning Best Rap Album at the 2025 Grammys. Doechii is the third woman to win this coveted award, behind Cardi B in 2019 and the legendary Lauryn Hill in 1999. While comparison isn’t always helpful, Doechii has found herself within some great company after years of grinding, and the sky is the limit for this young star.
Next up, we have Atlanta rapper Sahbabii (pronounced Sah-Baby). After being commercially M.I.A. for 2023, he returned to the limelight with the surprise release of his 2024 album, Saheem. Sah has found a way to beat the usually derogatory “Soundcloud Rapper” label by consistently coming up with a new sound rarely experienced in today’s music landscape of forced projects and rushed releases. After finding initial mainstream success in 2017 with the hit single “Pull Up With Ah Stick,” he has cultivated a loyal following from his fans regardless of his mainstream chart presence. In recent interviews, Sah has reconfirmed his dedication to releasing music after his 2023 hiatus, and we can’t wait to see what his potential brings to us next.
Last but not least, we have Lucki. Hailing from Chicago, Lucki’s lasting presence in the underground scene is nothing to discount. Along with cultivating his following through consistent releases, he has recently elevated himself to the mainstream stage. Securing collaborations with admired rappers and producers such as Future, Lil Yachty, and F1LTHY. His careers transition from the underground to the mainstream has delivered some great music that pushes the boundary in what contemporary rap sounds like and WILL sound like going forward.
