Texas has been known to nurture an ongoing, fresh, and diverse rap community, with rich sound and production styles. From the booming bass and chopped-and-screwed influence of Houston to Dallas’ sharp, boundary pushing edge, each city has developed it’s own distinct style while also contributing to the state’s larger legacy. With big success stories like Travis Scott and Megan Thee Stallion, to local legends like Big Moe and DJ Screw, Texas is home to a lot of creative hustle and rising artists.
Across the state, emerging artists are still experimenting with production, storytelling, flows and sounds that reflect their own experiences and the rapidly changing culture around them. Everything from local favorites continuing their musical rise to fresh voices on the scene beginning to make waves, there is a lot to be excited about. In this list, we break down what’s hot right now, from local legends to rising stars. Here’s what’s trending and making noise in the lonestar state.
Choose Sides – TTOD Bumpy & T$K Keezy
TTOD Bumpy Johnson showcases his stellar vocal talents in his new collaboration with T$K Keezy, “Choose Sides”. The new track from the Texas natives has been getting some buzz online and on radio stations in the underground rap scenes in Dallas and Houston. Texas Radio platform RapOneUp shouted out the track via their Instagram, saying that TODD Bumpy Johnson and T$K Keezy are “making huge waves”.
This early recognition feels fitting for a track that brings together two artists with distinctly Texas-rooted styles while allowing both rappers to show off their strengths, in a way that feels effortless. This collaboration also highlights the overall strength of the underground scene, where artists can build momentum through local radio, social media, and word of mouth before breaking into a wider audience. I
t’s safe to say both artists are developing a solid reputation for themselves, and TTOD Bumpy Johnson further cements himself as a promising vocalist in the underground Texas rap community.
Raised Like Dis – Quiet Money Dot ft. Bee Honey
“Raised Like Dis” is the first track on Quiet Money Dot’s latest album drop, Million $ Dot. The album is packed to the brim with strong collabs with fellow Texas artists Young Al (also on this list) and the late Houston legend, Big Moe. The album almost acts as a love letter to Texas hip hop, and allows Quiet Money Dot a chance to honor the community that built him with “Raised Like Dis” acting as the crown jewel. The single is complete with a crisp black and white music video that was filmed directly in his neighborhood, in Houston.
Rising R&B artist Bee Honey contributes haunting, buttery vocals during the fade-out, adding a smooth contrast to the track, and dropping it off perfectly. The track ultimately works as both a confident introduction and a snapshot of where Quiet Money Dot comes from. With its relaxed production and strong vocals making it an easy standout and a great entry point into Million $ Dot.
There is something truly alluring about Houston rapper siiilk’s vocals that pulls you deeper and deeper into a track of his. “OVERDUE” opens with a cold piano intro, setting the stage for siiilk, to come in swinging with his raspy almost screamo like vocal flow. Weighing in at just under 2 minutes, the track is short but packs a punch, wasting no time getting to the pit of siiilk’s thoughts. The rapper is no stranger to getting vulnerable with his audience, as his sound often leans on the heartful side.
OVERDUE – siiilk
There is something truly alluring about Houston rapper siiilk’s vocals that pulls you deeper and deeper into a track of his. “OVERDUE” opens with a cold piano intro, setting the stage for siiilk, to come in swinging with his raspy almost screamo like vocal flow. Weighing in at just under 2 minutes, the track is short but packs a punch, wasting no time getting to the pit of siiilk’s thoughts. The rapper is no stranger to getting vulnerable with his audience, as his sound often leans on the heartful side.
The light production on this track gives for a slightly controversial delivery, making the track feel less like a polished performance and more of an unfiltered look into his thoughts. “OVERDUE” the first off of siiilk’s latest EP, reflection, which is a great bite-sized mosaic showing the scorned heart of his sound.
Lies and Goodbyes – YBF K Sauce
Twenty-four-year-old Houston native, YBF K Sauce is no stranger to dropping a track with some emotional edge, and his latest track “Lies and Goodbyes” drives that home. Known for combining elegant production with trap-inspired beats and topping it off with effortless flow, K Sauce carries all of that in this track, and even manages to sprinkle some vulnerability here.
He speaks of having his heart played with, then turning around and becoming the cold player himself. The western twang on the guitar in the intro perfectly sets the tone for great storytelling, which YBF K Sauce does flawlessly, and articulates his comeback. This latest track shows us YBF K Sauce at his baddest, yet, his best, showing us that he can make a track that feels personal without sacrificing the confidence that makes his music stand out.
What I Found – Ozonethegod & Yung Al
Ozonethegod has been building a reputation for his energy and speedy flow as a rapper. After winning a segment of the Liq Podcast Open Mic in 2025, he further proved he really is one of the quickest rappers in the game right now by streamlining a release of about a dozen singles. “What I Found” is not only a phenomenal example of the momentum he has been building, showing his rapid-fire delivery without letting the speed overshadow the track itself.
The song also benefits from a great collaboration with composer and lyricist Yung Al, whose top single on Spotify, “Jungle Freestyle,” has surpassed 2 million streams. This collab gives “What I Found” another layer, pairing Ozonethegod’s energetic delivery with Yung Al’s established songwriting and compositional style. It’s the kind of release that makes it clear that Ozonethegod has no interest in sitting still, he’s constantly putting out new material and giving listenres another reason to pay attention.
Go Get Some Money – Rizzoo Rizzoo & JohnnieDamnD
Give this track about a ten-second listen, and you will wanna do exactly what the title says. “Go Get Some Money” is rapper Rizzoo Rizzoo’s strong return, with the help of Texas drill artist JohnnieDamnD, who lends a cold, hard-hitting verse to the track. The production stays energetic and playful throughout, making it a ride you never want to get off. The song almost feels tailor-made for blasting in the car, at a party or whenever you need some extra motivation.
Rizzoo Rizzoo’s delivery matches this energy perfectly, while JohnnieDamnD adds a sharper edge that keeps the track from becoming all fun and games. It’s catchy, unapologetic and confident-the perfect ingredients for the perfect rap track.
BALL N PARLAY – DJ Cypress Moreno & Doeman
Being released nearly 27 years after Houston rapper Big Pokey’s “Ball N’ Parlay”, established producer DJ Cypress Moreno’s latest collaboration with Houston artist Doeman carries the same spirit as its older counterpart while still reflecting the city’s current diverse sound.
The crisp new track is a great way to slow down and enjoy the last few months of summer. Moreno’s skills are definitely maintained here, and Doeman gives the hype background vocals needed. “BALL N PARLAY” ultimately works as both a nod to Houston’s rap history and a reminder that the city’s sound is constantly evolving. It’s nostalgic without feeling completely stuck in the past.
Summer Vibes – Dat Boi T
True to its name, Summer Vibes is less about overcomplicating things and more about creating a mood. Each track carries a breezy, feel-good quality while still showcasing Dat Boi T’s personality as an artist. “I’ma Come Down” sets the tone, while “Pressure” and “Make It Wave” keep the project moving with their catchy production and features.
Together, the three tracks make for a concise but cohesive listen that feels right at home in the season. Summer Vibes ultimately adds another strong release to Dat Boi T’s growing catalog, proving that sometimes the best summer soundtrack is the one that simply lets you press play and enjoy the ride.
Texas Rising Artists
From Houston to Dallas and beyond, these releases highlight the promising movement coming out of Texas right now. The state has always played a major role in shaping Southern hip-hop, and a new wave of artists is continuing that tradition while finding new ways to make the sound their own. Rather than leaning entirely on nostalgia, these artists are pulling from Texas rap’s rich history and reshaping it for a new generation.
Some releases, like “BALL N PARLAY,” look back to the cultural touchstones that have made Texas rap so influential, embracing the larger-than-life energy and regional identity that have long defined the scene. Others are pushing in completely different directions, experimenting with their own production styles, flows, and sonic identities as they work toward the mainstage. What connects them is a sense of regional pride and an eagerness to expand beyond what Texas rap has traditionally been expected to sound like.
With more artists gaining attention both within the state and outside of it, Texas continues to prove that its rap scene is far from stagnant. If this current wave is any indication, the next generation of Texas artists could be responsible for defining the sound of Southern hip-hop’s next chapter.
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