There’s always more to a metropolis than meets the eye. Seattle, for example, is known best for breeding some of the biggest local-turned-global music entities of the 80s and 90s. The Sub Pop record label put the city on the map for giving the most iconic grunge bands of the era their start, and it continues to host a deep roster of heavyweights to this day. This is where punk went from being a subsection to a main category — whether you approve or not, that’s a massive part of music history.
But it doesn’t simply stop at rock and punk and guitars and bands. There’s a whole other side to Seattle that needs more shine, and we’ve always taken it upon ourselves to show you that the hip-hop scene in the area goes way beyond the accomplishments of Blue Scholars, Macklemore, and Sir Mix-a-Lot.
Here are 13 Seattle rappers we believe you should be paying attention to right now.
Seattle Rappers You Need To Pay Attention to in 2023
MikeJack3200
There are two contrasting sides to MikeJack3200, which is precisely what makes him such a compelling figure. On one hand, he’s got badass, slick and tough joints that you could party and get high to. Listen to most of his work, from the countless EPs and singles to his debut studio album with Maika Million, and you’ll hear traditional, no-nonsense modern hip-hop.
Then there’s the side to him that’s progressive and forward-thinking on sociopolitical matters, wherein his activism blends beautifully with his skill as a rapper.
In late January, he joined forces with the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture Hope Corps program and King County Government on a project called Heroes of this Hell (Anti-Violence the Science). This original hip-hop and spoken-word collaboration was released in support of an anti-gun violence campaign. MikeJack3200 used this platform to bring awareness to the issue via his own experiences on the streets and the ways in which he negotiated violence during a rough childhood.
2oopaid TK
The unique thing about 2oopaid TK is it sounds like he’s offbeat when you first listen to him. Then, as you keep listening, you realize that he moves to his own rhythm in a manner where the beat just somehow catches up to him. His flow is something that can only be described as abstract. It’s a fascinating experience — being confused at first, squinting as it begins to make sense and then looking around the room, impressed, hoping to lock eyes with someone else who also just “got it” as you did.
2000Baby
When it comes to quality Seattle rappers, our money’s on 2000Baby. A steady output of fire tracks aside, he is the epitome of hardworking. Since his debut studio record dropped in 2020, he’s released a total of 13 albums in addition to countless EPs and singles! He’s focused and determined, and it’s beginning to pay off.
Currently, he’s one of Seattle’s more distinguished acts because his overall vision is what makes him such a pull, not just his musical skills — see for yourself in the video below. He’s speeding and we’re doing our best to keep up, because very soon, he’s going to be in space and among the stars.
hunnidkbaby
Though he is influenced by major acts such as Travis Scott and the Weeknd, hunnidkbaby brings to the table his own unique perspective; one that has given the Seattle underground its own identity. As a result, he has built a cult following of “HunnidkBabies” who continue to energize his deeply personal lyrics and psychedelic sound, bringing him to where he is now.
He has already sold out the local underground event series, Toe Jam, as well as several headlining spots in venues across the city. Additionally, he has also toured with acts such as KILL NIGEL, CHXPO and Black Smurf … and this is just the beginning!
Isaacjacuzzi
Isaacjacuzzi is moving at the only pace appropriate for someone on the rise. He’s hungry and it shows. A month and a half into the new year, this prolific and multidimensional artist has already released the seventh full-length album of his career; last year, he put out four! Blending a range of genres into one, from reggae to trap to R&B, he brings a flavor to the music space that is always welcome and tough to overlook.
“I keep it real throughout my music, my album is a rollercoaster of vibes,” he says. “ From my darkest days to my best, ima keep giving the people what they need.”
Kateel
Local Seattle rapper, producer and filmmaker Kateel is young and ready. In his mid-20s, he has displayed a level of self-awareness through his effortless storytelling that most people never reach in their lifetime. At this stage in his promising career, he talks about his experiences and coming to terms with not always fitting in or living up to expectations. Yet, he still managed to pave his own path and come out cool on the other side. With that, it is only natural for his material to eventually transition into songs of experience and wisdom.
He aptly describes himself as “soulful, conscious, versatile,” and uses music as a tool to connect with the world: “I like to channel a thought or energy and capture it either immediately on a mic or on paper.”
Dyve
As an independent artist, composing a song is the easiest part of Dyve’s countless responsibilities. He writes all his music, sound engineers his vocals, conducts the marketing of his product and is constantly creating social media content for promotion. When it comes to music, nothing is off limits for him — he bounces around from rap to pop to R&B, and anything else he can get his hands on.
Though he now resides in LA, Dyve kickstarted his career in Seattle, which he refers to as a “miniature Los Angeles” for music. He currently has celebrity endorsements from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, as well as Kendrick Borne and has shared the stage with artists such as Slim Jesus, Ying Yang Twins and Lil Dicky. Because he’s always trying something new, the only thing you should expect from him is quality content.
Mafi D
We believe in Mafi D and so should you. The current #1 draft pick from Seattle’s Central District, this wordsmith is pulling in the hottest features and putting out banger after banger without losing sight of where he’s from. His city is central to his creative output, and for that reason, he’ll always be on Respect My Region’s radar.
“I had to make people believe in what I got going on,” Mafi D said a few years back when he was still on his way up. Well, he sure succeeded at it.
Highway
Producer-turned-rapper Highway is the textbook definition of DIY. This is someone who just has a knack for hip-hop — his journey began as a beatmaker who became known for his heavy basslines and vivid synth, and from there, he bought the freedom to come into his own. Though his trademark production value is still very much present in his music, he decided to lay his voice over the rich instrumentals that gave him his identity, pivoting to the role of a full-time rapper.
Constantly churning out new material, Highway has thus far worked with all-star producers such as jetsonmade, Nick Mira, Sango and Ye Ali. If you make the wise decision to follow him, things will most likely never get boring.
IaMcHaMeL
Originally from Northern California, IaMcHaMeL was brought up in several different parts of Washington State. It is where she took on her final form as an artist, creator and visionary, and is hence claimed by the Pacific Northwest. Her larger message serves to heal and uplift listeners through self-acceptance, informed lyricism and authenticity. Damn near impossible to ignore, her presence will soon be far beyond the region that groomed her.
$hotta Pi$tol
“I love my neighborhood ’cause it made me a savage,” says $hotta Pi$tol.
This South Seattle rapper first began making music to channel the world around him as he absorbed it. Born and bred in the very neighborhood he continues to rep in his songs, he turned his boredom into a craft, translating everything he knew and felt into music. This ranges from getting lit to illustrating the struggles of his community. $hotta Pi$tol exudes a sense of confidence without taking himself too seriously, and the result is a catalog with incredibly high replay value.
KT Lavish
This one goes out to the slept-on East African artists coming out of Seattle. From the crowd of talents such as Mannie2g and yunanimous is one name that stands out: KT Lavish. In total, you won’t find more than four songs by the guy on major streaming platforms, but does that really matter in the grand scheme of things? They say quality over quantity, and he’s a prime example of that. It’ll only take you a few minutes to listen to all his material and become a supporter of his art. It’s thoughtful, tasteful and just outright dope. Now, just sit back and wait for more.
Oblé Reed
This rising star from Seattle is determined to get people talking. Sure, he’s a musician and he knows his way around the studio, but the passion with which he approaches the craft is what truly leaves a mark on his listeners. Inspired by the likes of J. Cole and Chance the Rapper, Reed keeps his product profanity-free in order to make it more accessible, because his message is one of embracing emotions and expressing yourself fully. In 2021, Pharrell Wiliams‘s creative company and label I Am Other even teamed up with him on a release of “Loose Change.” Since then, Reed has only been moving upward.
L$P
L$P aka LightSaberPapi has one main goal that takes precedence over all the others: making her listeners feel something. One of the Pacific Northwest’s leading prospects, this up-and-coming spitter centers her work on community, growth and culture, participating in charity work with her sponsor Aloha Friday Hash Company. Not only can she rap for days, but her subject matter is driven by a deeper meaning. For that reason, she stands out among her peers and is on the path to bring Seattle some much-deserved recognition.
This is not a definitive list of the best rappers at the moment, there are plenty more Seattle rappers for you to discover. If you enjoyed this list, we encourage you to check out our other music content below.
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