Top 10 Hip Hop Artists of 2025

If you thought hip-hop was losing momentum, 2025 has a different say. This year sees a wide range of artists taking the spotlight, from rap’s biggest names to long-lost legends and bold rulebreakers. Think billion-stream tracks, comeback albums directly from the luxury maisons of Paris and live performances that resemble more an earthquake than a concert. 

Funktasy has gathered the best and brightest stars of the hip-hop landscape for this top 10. Expect acts that will make you spit your drink and fall off the chair. Whether it is Carti turning chaos into chart gold with his much-awaited comeback album Music, Megan Thee Stallion bringing her hot girl energy, The Clipse reuniting after 16 years or Sexyy Red stirring up controversy, hip-hop is still alive and kicking.

Ladies and gentlemen, these are the top 10 hip-hop artists of 2025, kindly brought to you by Funktasy. Let’s get into the madness!

Kendrick Lamar

Sure, a key part of hip hop is catchy beats and spitting out lyrics at various tempos. But what sets a good artist apart from a great artist is the ability to tell stories and resonate with audiences. Kendrick Lamar’s entire discography is the epitome of just that. 

His songs are intentional. They tell stories that matter — stories about social issues, civil injustice, faith and addiction. You can hear it in his lyrics, but he also recognizes the fact that some people listen to rap music just for the infectious rhythms. GNX provided the best of both worlds. From G-Funk/hyphy inspired party jams like “Squabble Up” to concept-heavy tracks like “Reincarnated”, he further showed himself as a multi-faceted artist. 

To add to that, he incorporates deliberate and calculated visuals during his performances to make what he’s trying to say perfectly clear. Look at his 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, which opened with Samuel L. Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam welcoming the audience to the “Great American Game.” With the stage set to resemble a PlayStation console and his dancers dressed in red, white and blue, he made it clear he was performing with intention. 

Earlier this year, Lamar kicked off his Grand National Tour alongside R&B singer SZA, to celebrate GNX, which topped the charts in multiple countries. The record even had five of its songs occupy the top 5 of the Hot 100 simultaneously. Just like the motor his latest album is named after, he remains a driving force in the rap game with no signs of slowing down. 

Tyler, the Creator

Riding the wave of his most recent release Chromokopia, Tyler the Creator remains one of the most inventive and dynamic Hip Hop artists in the game right now. Since blossoming from his Goblin years, he has gone on to establish himself as a premier artist, providing us with modern classics such as IGOR and Flower Boy.

Beyond his stellar lyrical abilities, which have skyrocketed in quality since his first records, Tyler truly stands out when wearing his production and songwriting hat, as he takes immense pride in mastering all facets of hip-hop production, crafting outstandingly original and expansive soundscapes in his work. 

Outside of the recording booth, Tyler especially shines when allowing his creative juices to flow into his fashion endeavours, consistently collaborating with clothing brands such as Louis Vuitton, Converse, and Lacoste whilst also building his brand Le Fleur. 

A man of many talents, it has been an absolute pleasure watching Tyler mature into one of the finest creative minds in the hip-hop arena. May he bless us with his genius for many years to come. 

Drake

Drake, aka Aubrey “The 6 God” Graham, is still dominating the hip-hop scene as if he has it completely under control. He went from being Canada’s favourite teen actor to becoming one of the best-selling names in global music. Just look up his album sales. He’s sold more than 170 million units, according to ChartMasters. 

Drizzy has proven he’s not just a rapper, he’s a star, a brand, and a household name. Since dropping So Far Gone back in 2009, he’s stacked record-breaking Billboard hits like they’re going out of style. Spoiler: they never do.

In 2025, Drizzy’s still king. His collab album Some Sexy Songs 4 U with PartyNextDoor smashed the charts right on Valentine’s Day, landing at No.1 on Billboard 200 – that’s his 14th chart-topping album, tying him for the most No.1 solo albums ever. Tracks like “Nokia” aren’t just hits, they’re feel-good anthems, cruising near the top of the Hot 100.

Oh, and Drake didn’t just chill in the studio. He took over Oceania with his “Anita Max Win Tour”, a wild run of sold-out shows that reminded everyone why he’s a global heavyweight. Even that spicy beef with Kendrick Lamar? He still dropped some of the best disses of the brilliant back and forth, and proved with songs like “Gimme A Hug” off his last album that he still has enough gas left in the tank. 

Drake’s secret? He keeps it real, personal and impossible to ignore. The 6 God is here to stay.

Little Simz

One of London’s finest musical exports, Little Simz has been honing her immaculate pen since 2015, starting off in the UK’s underground circles and slowly working her way to the very top of the rap game. Known for her exceptional lyrical dexterity and introspective storytelling, she stands apart from her peers as a multi-dimensional creative mind, showcasing brilliant musical range across grime, boom-bap hip-hop, soul and baile funk. 

Coupled with her silky smooth flow, she produced one of the decade’s most ambitious projects with her 2021 release, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, diving into existential questions of individuality, womanhood, and blackness while weaving through cinematic and orchestral production. It might have been released in 2021, but it’s already been placed by publications like Rolling Stone as one of the best hip-hop albums of all time. 

Her most recent LP, Lotus, is already a highly acclaimed record that wonderfully weaves through a raw exposition of spiritual and emotional rebirth, musing on family, broken relationships and self-love, allowing us to observe Simz in one of her most vulnerable states.

Still only 31, she seemingly has the world at her feet and the vision to match. Having already built an almighty catalogue of music, it somehow seems like the best of Little Simz’s story is still to unfold. 

Central Cee

Another fellow London native, Central Cee, is one of the hottest properties in hip-hop right now.  Having been able to bridge the gap across the Atlantic, he has cemented his name as a global hitmaker, beginning with his breakout record “Doja” in 2022. Since then, he has taken the UK drill genre to new commercial heights, producing banger after banger, conquering every club with “Sprinter” (2023) and consolidating this success with “Band4Band” (2024). This hot streak culminated in the release of his debut studio LP, Can’t Rush Greatness, this year, becoming his second number-one record on the UK Charts and the first ever UK rap album to debut in the top ten in America. 

Cee is currently entering the final leg of his global tour, having booked a 39-date schedule that takes him from Europe to America and finally ends in the Oceania market. A blockbuster victory lap for his recent success, he has proved to the world that his music and style are dripping in gold dust, putting himself on the map as a force to be reckoned with. 

Playboi Carti

Carti doesn’t play. He went from Soundcloud wonderkid to modern-day rage-rap phenomenon, carving out a unique style in the hip-hop scene. His sophomore effort, Whole Lotta Red (2020), debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 and put him under a shining spotlight. Now, after ghosting fans for what felt like a century (okay, like 4 years, but still an eternity in today’s music industry), he’s recently pulled up in March 2025 with Music. Yes, that’s literally the name of his third album, which can be summed up as chaotic vibes and ridiculously stupid numbers. Just think 134 million streams in a day. Plus, all 30 songs charting on the Hot 100.

His past year has been pure mayhem. He’s linked up with none other than The Weeknd for “Timeless”, a moody anthem that has already surpassed 900 million streams and is soon to break the wall of 1 billion. Then, he’s been busy tearing apart festival mainstages, owning the scene at Rolling Loud Cali like a demon in Balenciaga, and even appearing as a guest at The Weeknd’s stadium tour like it was light work. He’s also picked up a feud with Ye, showing he isn’t afraid of older rap royalty.

Whether he’s headlining sold-out festivals and screaming the lyrics of his songs until you think his vocal chords will break, or occupying your pre-party pump-up playlist, you can guarantee that Carti is ready to reign over the 2025 musical landscape.

The Clipse

Both Pusha T and No Malice (formerly just Malice, before his Christian rebirth) have carved out the Clipse as coke-rap’s number one braggers. Their decorated career featuring classic albums like Lord Willin and Hell Hath No Fury, and lunchroom bangers like “Grindin” or abstract synth-magic like “Mr. Me Too”, has marked their spot in hip-hop history, often with the help of The Neptunes behind the boards.

And now. The two brothers. Back together again (this feels like an action movie). After over a decade. For one of the most hyped hip-hop releases of the year. With an album fully produced by Pharrell? Recorded in the Louis Vuitton Paris HQ? This might be the most swaggering, stylish spectacle of rap music in 2025. With their new album Let God Sort Em Out dropping on July 11, we’ve already heard their lead single off the project, “Ace Trumpets”, with Pusha T still spitting darts. And No Malice?

He’s come out of his hiatus back with a vengeance, dropping bars like: “Dressed in House of Gucci, made from selling Lady Gaga” – he hasn’t lost any of his sharpness. Coming out through Roc Nation with a Kendrick feature in tow, this is going to be the hip-hop heavyweight release of the year – after 16 years, it seems like the Clipse are back and fully loaded, ready to aim for the top spot. 

Megan Thee Stallion

It’s been a good past year for Megan Thee Stallion – dropping her debut studio album Megan featuring her number one hit “Hiss”, a world tour, partnerships with brands like Nike and Fashion Nova, and a killer Coachella performance that saw her bring out legends like Queen Latifah and Ciara – and prove exactly why she can stand beside them as this era’s hip hop heroine. Her tracks are teeming with party energy and catchy choruses, but she’s not skimping on her mic skills. Even in a track like “WAP” with Cardi B, you can appreciate the witty bars and tongue-twisting flows.

In 2025, the Stallion’s engine is still running with high horsepower. She’ll be rolling out another album this year, with her latest single “Whenever” showing her running through rhymes like a 100-metre sprint. But she’s not just serving something for your Spotify this year – she’s further embracing her love for anime, with her original show on the way, produced by Carl Jones, writer of the iconic comedy series The Boondocks. With the way she’s making million-dollar moves both in and out of the music industry, it seems like “Hot Girl Summer” might be an all-year fixture through 2025.

Doechii

One of hip hop’s most dynamic performers and exciting new talents, Doechii is carrying enough character in her cadence for a Broadway show. Never mind her wicked pen game that has her suitably placed on the TDE label next to lyricists like Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q. Her breakout mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal, was showered in heaps of critical acclaim and accolades – listening back, it has something for everyone. Enough melody for the pop listeners, enough lyricism and rhythm for the rap nerds, enough soul for the summer playlists and enough contemplation for your mood music sessions.

Her Gotye-sampling single “Anxiety” has earned her highest-charting hit on the Billboard 200. Some hip-hop fans might see it as TikTok fodder, but it has proved that Doechii knows how to make a smash hit as well as spit fire. What comes next? She’s started teasing her next album, hinting in an interview with ABC Audio that it’ll be another diverse, dynamic display of talent: “From gospel artists to hip-hop to rock and roll … I think it all comes together to create this wonderful ball of greatness.” Whenever it comes, we’ll definitely be tuned in to see if the alligator can bite twice.

Sexyy Red

In 2023, Sexyy Red rose to fame with “Pound Town” – a raunchy, rugged and ridiculously entertaining breakout single. Now, she’s ready to take over the rap game. From collaborations with rap legends like Snoop Dogg to landing a song in the movie F1, Red has already seen success in 2025, and we’re only halfway through. Her most popular hit of the year was arguably “Fat Juicy & Wet” with musician Bruno Mars, which debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

When she wasn’t busy making the charts, she was making headlines. Red is known for her hyper-sexual, provocative lyrics, which have sparked a lot of conversation. Is it too much? Should it be put on streaming platforms for children to hear? Red not only ignores these criticisms, but she also uses them to her advantage, branding herself as an unapologetically risqué artist. 

But what earns her a spot on this list is the impact she’s had. She’s shifted what it means to be a “mainstream” female rapper and makes the music she wants, not the music she thinks people want to hear. She’s not here to fit in or clean up for respectability, and 2025 is hers for the taking. 

If There’s One Thing We’ve Learned in 2025…

It’s that hip-hop is thriving, evolving and taking over the world. The artists on this list are rewriting the game of music while headlining stadiums, breaking records and redefining what success and influence look like in today’s society. From legends like Kendrick Lamar and Drake continuing their reign to new cutting-edge artists like Doechii, Little Simz and Central Cee, hip-hop is more expansive and alive than ever. 

Whether it’s intriguing imagery, genre-bending releases or bumping beats that have the power to hypnotize, these 10 artists are shaping the sound and soul of a new era.