Before TikTok could launch a career overnight, SoundCloud was the internet’s most powerful music discovery engine. During the mid 2010s, the platform became the birthplace of an entire generation of hip hop artists who bypassed traditional record labels and built massive audiences directly online. Songs uploaded to SoundCloud regularly spread across Reddit threads, Twitter timelines, and music blogs before the mainstream music industry even noticed.
That moment in hip hop history eventually became known as the SoundCloud rap era, and it reshaped the way artists break into the industry.
The artists who emerged from that ecosystem did not just go viral online. Many of them turned early internet attention into billions of streams, platinum records, sold out tours, and long lasting careers.
Ranking the best SoundCloud artists is not simply about who had the first viral hit. It is about who translated early online momentum into sustained success measured by streaming numbers, sales certifications, and cultural influence.
Here are the most successful artists who blew up from SoundCloud, ranked by commercial success and the current reality of their careers.
The Best Artists Who Blew Up From SoundCloud
1. Post Malone
Post Malone stands as the most commercially successful artist to emerge from the SoundCloud generation. His breakout record “White Iverson” first gained traction on SoundCloud in 2015 before spreading across blogs and social media. The song quickly turned into a viral hit and eventually led to a major label deal.
From there, Post Malone’s career exploded.
His catalog now generates tens of billions of global streams, with multiple songs reaching diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. Hits like “Rockstar,” “Circles,” and “Sunflower” dominated charts worldwide.
While he is often considered more of a genre bending pop artist today, his rise still represents one of the most successful SoundCloud breakout stories ever.
2. Juice WRLD
Few artists translated SoundCloud momentum into streaming dominance as quickly as Juice WRLD.
His breakout track “Lucid Dreams” circulated heavily online before becoming a global smash hit. The song eventually earned diamond certification and accumulated billions of streams.
Juice WRLD built his fan base through emotional melodic rap that explored heartbreak, addiction, and mental health. His ability to freestyle entire songs helped create a reputation as one of the most naturally talented artists of the era.
Even after his death in 2019, Juice WRLD remains one of the most streamed hip hop artists in the world. His catalog continues generating massive numbers across streaming platforms.
3. XXXTENTACION
No artist embodied the raw energy of the SoundCloud era more than XXXTENTACION.
His early breakout song “Look At Me!” exploded on SoundCloud thanks to its distorted production and aggressive delivery. The track quickly spread across internet communities and became one of the defining songs of the movement.
XXXTENTACION’s music later expanded into multiple genres, blending rap, alternative rock, and emotional acoustic tracks. Albums like 17 and ? demonstrated how wide his creative range could be.
Even years after his passing, his music continues generating billions of streams annually and remains deeply influential among younger artists.
4. Lil Uzi Vert
Lil Uzi Vert helped bring SoundCloud rap into the mainstream spotlight.
His early music gained traction online before the release of his breakout project Lil Uzi Vert vs the World. Songs like “Money Longer” and “XO TOUR Llif3” became massive hits.
“XO TOUR Llif3” eventually achieved diamond certification, making it one of the most successful songs to emerge from the SoundCloud era.
Uzi’s blend of melodic rap, punk inspired fashion, and futuristic production helped shape the sound and aesthetic of late 2010s hip hop.
Today he remains one of the most recognizable artists from that generation.
5. Playboi Carti
Playboi Carti built his fan base almost entirely through internet hype and SoundCloud releases.
His early track “Broke Boi” gained attention online before Carti’s official debut project introduced songs like “Magnolia”, which became a mainstream hit.
Carti’s influence has grown significantly over time. His album Whole Lotta Red helped inspire a new wave of experimental rap production and aggressive vocal styles.
Despite releasing music relatively infrequently, Carti remains one of the most culturally influential artists from the SoundCloud generation.
6. Travis Scott
While Travis Scott had industry connections early in his career, SoundCloud still played a major role in spreading his early music.
Tracks like “Quintana” and “Upper Echelon” circulated heavily online before Scott became a global superstar.
Albums like Astroworld and Utopia produced massive hits and billions of streams. His song “Sicko Mode” became one of the most recognizable hip hop records of the last decade.
Scott also built one of the strongest brand ecosystems in music, launching major partnerships with companies like Nike while headlining global festivals.
7. Trippie Redd
Trippie Redd represents one of the most successful artists from the later wave of the SoundCloud movement.
His early songs gained attention online before the release of “Love Scars,” which became a viral hit and helped introduce his emotional melodic rap style.
Trippie has since released multiple charting albums and generated billions of streams across platforms. His ability to blend rap, emo influences, and melodic hooks helped him build a large and loyal fan base.
8. Lil Peep
Lil Peep helped pioneer the emotional side of SoundCloud rap. His music blended trap production with guitar driven melodies and deeply personal lyrics. Songs like “Star Shopping” became iconic within the internet rap community.
Although his career was tragically cut short in 2017, Lil Peep’s influence continues shaping the emo rap and alternative hip hop sound that followed.
His catalog remains widely streamed and frequently cited as inspiration by newer artists.
9. Lil Yachty
Lil Yachty brought a completely different energy to the SoundCloud movement. Instead of aggressive bars or emotional songwriting, his breakout record “One Night” leaned into playful melodies and colorful visuals that stood out immediately.
Yachty eventually evolved musically beyond his early SoundCloud style. In recent years he has experimented with psychedelic rock and alternative sounds while maintaining cultural relevance.
10. Lil Pump
Lil Pump represents the chaotic viral energy of the SoundCloud rap era. His breakout single “Gucci Gang” exploded online and eventually reached triple platinum status. The song’s minimalist structure and repetitive hook became instantly recognizable.
While Pump’s mainstream momentum slowed after his initial breakout, his impact during the peak SoundCloud era helped shape internet driven rap culture.
The Legacy of the SoundCloud Era
The SoundCloud era changed how hip hop careers are built. Instead of relying on radio stations or record label executives, artists could release music directly to listeners and build massive audiences organically. Viral internet momentum became a legitimate pathway to mainstream success.
Many of the artists who emerged from that moment now represent some of the biggest names in modern music. Their streaming numbers, sales certifications, and global tours prove that SoundCloud was not just a temporary trend.
It was a turning point for the entire music industry.
Today platforms like TikTok and YouTube play similar roles in launching new artists. But the blueprint for internet driven music careers was built during the SoundCloud era.
And the artists who turned that early momentum into lasting success remain some of the most influential figures in modern hip hop.
