The Top 25 Greatest SoundCloud Rappers of All Time

SoundCloud, the streaming platform that emerged in the late 2000s, quickly became a hotbed for budding rappers to showcase their raw talent and unique sound. This innovative platform broke down barriers, allowing artists to reach listeners directly without the need for major label backing. It was here that a new wave of hip-hop began to take shape, a wave that was wild, unfiltered, and completely unapologetic.

Whether it was Lil Uzi Vert’s genre-blending melodies, XXXTentacion’s emotional intensity, or Denzel Curry’s mosh-pit lyricism, SoundCloud became a platform for these artists to explore and express their artistry without constraints. They weren’t just rappers; they were pioneers, leading a cultural shift that would redefine hip-hop in the years that followed. With names like 21 Savage, Juice Wrld, and Kodak Black, the influence of these SoundCloud rappers continues to reverberate through the industry, shaping the sound and attitude of today’s era of hip hop.

So let’s get into it. From Lil Uzi Vert, Denzel Curry and XXXTentacion to Lil Peep, Trippie Redd, and Ski Mask The Slump God, here are the top 26 greatest SoundCloud rappers of all time.

25. Lil Pump

Essential listening: Lil Pump (2017)

Love him or hate him, you can’t have a list of SoundCloud rappers without Lil Pump. Dedicating his pen game to drugs and money, you won’t find many quotables and standout verses with Pump, but his music isn’t about that. Fast trap beats, hypnotic hooks, and smooth flows make up his signature sound, crafting club anthems with hits like “Gucci Gang” and “Esskeetit” where the MC’s swaggering mic presence is enough to make each track a highlight. Coming from any other rapper, his repetitive hooks and predictable lyrics would be unbearable, but with his popstar presence on the mic, Pump makes it work. Gliding over bass-heavy production with no shortage of charisma, the Miami native is the definition of simple but effective.

24. Tay-K

Essential listening: Santana World (2017)

Sentenced to 55 years in prison, we might never get another Tay-K project, but Taymor already has a strong legacy with #SantanaWorld. A lyrical prodigy, every bar is like a punchline, sprinkling comedic one-liners and clever wordplay into every animated verse. As talented on the mic as he is with the pen, Tay-K 47 switches back and forth from playful to menacing, never taking himself too seriously, but making sure the culture knows that nobody is on his level. From classic tracks like “The Race” to the gritty gangster tales of #SantanaWorld, the SoundCloud legend had the potential of a superstar.

23. YNW Melly

Essential listening: I Am You (2018)

In and out of jail since the start of his career, prison time hasn’t stopped Melly from becoming a mainstream sensation. The Florida-based MC has mastered the art of melodic rap – he has an ammunition of hard-hitting bars perfect for trap bangers, but also the soothing voice for more moody cuts like “Murder on My Mind” and “Suicidal”. Emotional ballads or explosive hits, Melly is as energetic as he is versatile, pulling off both styles thanks to his confident delivery and passionate pen game. No matter how many times Melly gets arrested, you can always rely on him to bounce back with another batch of trap excellence.

22. Jay Critch

Essential listening: Hood Favorite (2018)

Releasing tracks on SoundCloud through 2015, it wasn’t until Critch got a co-sign from Rich the Kid that his prolific career kicked off. Dropping six mixtapes since 2017, the Brooklyn native has a relentless work ethic, pumping out ferocious projects every year and fiery singles twice as often. Tearing apart a range of fast-paced trap instrumentals, Critch’s deep-voiced rhymes dominate any song, rivalling legends like Offset and Fabolous for the best verse on the head-bopping highlights of Hood Favorite. Rapping about everything from the hustler’s grind to his drug-addled experiences, Jay’s subject matter is nothing unique, but his commanding presence and oppressive flows make every verse one of a kind.

21. Lil Skies

Essential listening: Shelby (2019)

Dropping Life of a Dark Rose as his debut mixtape, Skies has been a talented MC from the very start. Full of one-liners and clever wordplay, his fast-paced bars hit harder thanks to his hungry delivery, rapping with a steady flow and clear voice for every line to make an impact. With a keen sense of pop appeal, the rapper strikes that perfect balance between soft melodic rap and hardcore trap production, showing off his relentless flows on “Lust” and his emotive vocals on “I”. Not every bar is a standout, but with his determined mic presence and ear for memorable beats, Lil Skies rarely misses the mark.

20. MadeinTYO

Essential listening: Sincerely, Tokyo (2018)

Blowing up off the success of “Uber Everywhere”, Tokyo’s breakout single contains all the elements of what make him stand out in the rap game. With an ear for spacey beats, the MC’s music transports the listener to another world of dreamy synths and booming bass, putting the lyrics aside to focus on making a laidback vibe with his projects. TYO’s playful sense of humor works well with his understated flow, spitting one-liners with a relaxed delivery to feed into the laidback atmosphere of every album. Rapping alongside everyone from Chance the Rapper to Ski Mask, MadeinTYO always delivers with his distinctly dreamy sound.

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