There’s no such thing as an off-season in Los Angeles. Amid the smog and grime and dawgs on their grind resides the deepest roster of creatives in the world who live and breathe art. Whatever it is you’re in search of, LA’s got you covered, but look no further because so do we.
In showing you who’s hot, new, and on the come up, the following Los Angeles Hip-hop artists list also demonstrates why this region is and has always been a breeding ground for the highest standard of creativity. Here are ten artists from the city of angels you need to peep right away.
Los Angeles Hip-Hop Artists To Watch For In 2023
Tia P.
“A Jane of all trades and master of them all,” this Inglewood-based musician has mastered the art of shapeshifting. In addition to rapping and singing, Tia P. is a skilled percussionist who composes and produces too. Though her influences range from Missy Elliot to Pharrell to Erykah Badu, the product she offers comes with so much more. It’s tough to categorize someone who absorbs the world with such high sensibilities and then channels it through her art, so you’ll just have to decide what you want to call her music after giving it a listen. One thing’s for sure though — she got bars.
Nilla Allin
After gaining traction from her Instagram freestyles and generating dense traffic on her social media pages, Nilla Allin decided to go all in (see what she did there?) on her knack for songwriting. By combining it with a passion for poetry, she has brought to R&B and hip-hop a distinct voice that combines attitude with vulnerability. It is evident from her work that she is no outsider to the performance space considering she has been involved in TV shows, commercials and plays since she was a child. Allin recently graduated from UC San Diego with a degree in Human Developmental Sciences, so we expect to hear even more from her now.
EPICMUSTDIE
By no means a newcomer, EPICMUSTDIE has kept it 100% LA since the start. When Austin’s South by Southwest was under fire a few years back for shameless commercialization that was diluting the featured art, one artist stood out from behind all the brand names. After only his third show ever, the Compton rapper was approached and complimented by Wiz Khalifa after his SXSW set, and he pretty much took off from there. With multiple singles, mixtapes and albums released, EPICMUSTDIE is still going strong and steadily dropping new music. This isn’t one you want to skip past.
1TakeJay
With over 100 million streams to his credit, the athlete-turned-rapper has kept the shine alive in Compton. Aside from making his major label debut with Atlantic Records last year, 1TakeJay has thus far worked with other heavyweights such as DJ Mustard, Blueface and Shoreline Mafia. Considering he recently left a mark at the Bay’s Rolling Loud festival and Day N Vegas (among several others), it’s safe to say things are looking up for Jay.
“There’s a lot of people that’s just a moment in music [and] I’m trying to be an artist,” he said. “I have gotten better with confidence and believing in myself, musically.”
Elijah Banx
For all its endearing qualities, hip-hop has always been held back by “looking” and “playing” the part. That is precisely why artists who go against the norm in a culture so fixed in its traditions tend to stand out the most. Long Beach rapper and singer Elijah Banx fits into this category.
We’d make a case for him, but he already said it best: “If you know the history of Long Beach’s music, it’s all gangsta’ rap and hip-hop. I’m the first artist to come out with country and pop music, I take pride in that. I’m from the Westside of Long Beach, [and] there’s never been an artist from the Westside of Long Beach to blow up yet.”
G Perico
When you think hip-hop and LA, a distinct sound immediately comes to mind. Whereas more and more Los Angeles hip-hop artists are starting to broaden the city’s reputation, G Perico is more of a traditionalist. Like the OGs before him, the South-Central rapper’s work is centered on the rough life he has lived, from stints in prison to getting shot at. With more than ten studio albums in his catalog and collaborations with artists such as Freddie Gibbs, Nipsey Hussle and E-40, he has catered to a more old-school audience. Though it’s always great to hear people try new things, there’s an undeniable comfort in the sounds of West Coast gangsta’ rap. That’s where Perico comes in.
chlothegod
Originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina, this new-age femme recording artist has a limited but rich catalog … but big things are coming. So, listen to the little there is to get excited for what awaits on the other side. From neo-soul to jazz to southern rap, chlothegod explores a range of different styles and funnels them cohesively, creating her own sublabel of fusion. Whereas a lot of artists on our list are already established, we’re lucky enough to catch her just as her ascension begins. Pay attention because this one will be worth witnessing!
Dezzie Gee
Ever since his breakthrough album, The Corner Store, put him on the map, Dezzie Gee has been thriving. The Long Beach native has made a name for himself through a series of party numbers that continue to make the rounds. Though he also DJs, his newfound success has allowed him to devote more time to making his own music in the studio and keep the spark of vibrant hip-hop alive in his area.
“Everyone bases Long Beach rap off Snoop Dogg and the Eastside, but we’re the Northside and we’re bringing our taste and flavor to the airways,” he said. “We all push each other, that’s how it should be. It’s a community, we aren’t competing with each other, we’re supporting each other.”
Cam Griff
Here’s one that’ll pull you just a little outside your comfort zone; guitarist and multi-platinum producer Cam Griff has been slowly working his way up the assists list. His writing and production credits started with Summer Walker’s debut record, Over It. Soon after, he signed to DJ Mustard’s 10 Summers Records, and has since worked with stars like Migos, Roddy Rich and Usher. Griff has been honing his skillset as a master of the strings since his days playing in church and is now proficient in studio mechanisms. Though he isn’t usually the face of the operation, this is a guy you want on your team.
CALIthePOET
Less is more. With a limited number of releases, whatever little CALIthePOET has put out so far has been nothing short of brilliant. His drops are thoughtful, and his strategy calculated — put out your best work and your best work only, no fillers. So far, his growth has been gradual, steady and upward. The production on all his tracks is crispy and colorful, and it feels good to have high expectations from someone who always comes through with quality content. So, what if there isn’t enough of it yet? It keeps us wanting more, and when it arrives, it always satisfies. Some would say this is the ideal relationship between an artist and their fans.
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