Oklahoma hip-hop artists are rockin’ 2021 with sick beats, original takes, and powerful messaging. Mixing old-school storytelling with modern methodology, these rappers aren’t pulling any punches. Instead, they’re keeping it super-real and spilling the T into the streets and across the airwaves.
While Oklahoma may be more known for its country artists than being a hotbed of hip-hop talent in the eyes of the rest of the country, this list and our digging into the scene clearly show otherwise. There is a ton of talent coming from the southern state that is often overshadowed by Texas in the rap community. Local legends like Steph Simon have helped pave the way and hip-hop entrepreneurs like King Spencer have helped shed light on the Oklahoma scene.
Like folk music, hip-hop is music of and for the people, telling a story about the human experience. The music that Tupac and DMX wrote has more in common with Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie than it does apart. Those artists and their music reflected the social and political movements of their time and expressed a deep desire to fight against systemic injustices and bring about cultural change.
Hip-hop is today’s protest music, and rappers are shining a light on systemic wrongs and fighting for social justice in urban centers like Houston, Minneapolis, and Oklahoma cities like Tulsa and OKC. Here are ten Oklahoma hip-hop artists ready to break out of the box and into the spotlight.
10 Oklahoma Hip-Hop Artists On The Come Up In 2021
Bash the Rapper
Tulsa, Oklahoma native Bash the Rappa has taken his Oklahoma hip hop style to California. Joining up with Mozzy‘s Sacramento crew, Bash could be the one to put Oklahoma rap on the country’s musical map. Bash’s rap style backs bold lyrics with heavy 808’s for a magical musical combo that will be rockin’ your ride all summer long.
GANG51E JUNE
Hard lyrics, crazy visuals, and deep feeling sets Gang51E June‘s music apart from the everyday artist. This Tulsa, Oklahoma hip hop artist is one of the main rappers drawing attention to Oklahoma’s robust talent pool and thriving music scene. With a slew of labels knocking on his door and a knack for bringing hope to the harsh realities of Tulsa street life, there’s little doubt June is coming up, big time.
N7 & Pwap
Oklahoma City hip hop duo N7 & Pwap‘s flexible, fast-paced flow and sick beats broke their first streaming hit “Spazzin” back in 2018. Since then, self-proclaimed “best Mexican rapper in the world” N7 (Isaiah Favela) and Pwap (Deontrae Boydin) have released a string of tracks online and built a sizeable internet presence with tracks like “Uber” and “Narcos.” Check them out below.
Briana Solo
Oklahoma City rapper and songwriter Briana Solo broke onto the underground scene last summer with the attention-grabber single “Don’t Call Me” and a pretty sweet video to go with it. In March of this year she dropped, “Playin’ Wit’ Me,” letting us know she’s not one to be trifled with. In between, she dropped a trio of tracks, all solid and well-produced. Her live game is dope, plus she’s got the looks to back her spitfire strut. We don’t know much about this OKC hottie yet, but we want to. Currently she has two YouTube channels live, so you can check out one here and click on the video below for the newer one.
Blake Fades
TikTok-famous hip-hopper Blake Fades toes the line between rap and country music to break the traditional hip-hop mold. Trap sounds pop throughout the Ardmore artist’s country-rap tracks, but he’s currently trending with popular covers of rap songs like Cardi B’s “Up” and Lil Baby’s “On Me.” Fades isn’t up to big-time level yet, but 2021 looks like it’s going to propel the Oklahoma hip-hop artist closer to the spotlight.
Lowkey Kemp
Hailing from Eastside OKC, this Oklahoma hip hop artist has been dropping tracks on the low for around four years now, starting with “Life Is What You Make It” featuring Gabrielle B. Since then, Lowkey Kemp has dropped four albums, including a trio of self-titled compilations plus Kasey. Kemp’s sound mixes soul and R&B for an eclectic sound influenced by OG’s Ice Cube, Scarface, Outkast, E-40 and the godfather of gangsta rap, 2Pac. Lowkey Kemp is a bigtime collaborator too, so when you put on his tracks you’ll also get a taste of other phenomenal underground Okie rappers like Yac the Fool, Blacc Magic and Da Money.
Ladyy Groove
Ladyy Groove doesn’t have a lot of stuff online, but what’s there is dope. What this groovy Ladyy lacks in prolificity, she more than makes up for in virtuosity. For real, the LG has mad skills, dropping bars and beats like the best OG’s out there. Listen to any of her tracks and you’ll know she reps the deep cuts. From 2019’s “Problems” to 2020’s “Tap Tap” to the most recent drop, “I Remember,” featuring Youeng Vic, it’s all fire.
B. Lou
B. Lou puts up numbers! From IG to YouTube, it’s clear B. reaches the people. Hailing from Tulsa, the former high school football standout is now running to the money off YouTube. While he may be slightly more known for his prank videos and Vlogs, the multi-faceted talent has no shortage of bars and slaps.
Miillie Mesh
The first track Miillie Mesh dropped that gained real attention in the OKC underground was “I Rock Gold.” It’s possible that track was prophetic, because today, Mesh is poised to break out of the underground, and she blasted into 2021 with brand-spanking new track “Stories” featuring Hugh Glass. With R&B, reggae, and pop influences layered atop a strong indie rap base, smooth flow, and a talent for poetic lyricism, her skills are on par with Janelle Monáe – she just hasn’t broken out yet. But placements like her track on HBO’s show “Ballers” could mean she’s on her way.
Jabee
OKC hip-hop artist and activist Jabee started rapping at age seven, and his talent has garnered endorsements from Public Enemy’s Chuck D, who said, ““Jabee’s music has the potential to change the world.” His music has earned a regional Emmy and a halftime performance at the Kevin Durant-hosted All-Star Charity Game during the 2011 NBA Lockout.
On Saturday, April 24, Jabee emceed “An Evening with Fire in Little Africa,” an epic musical collaboration of more than 30 artists commemorating the 100th anniversary of 1921’s horrific Tulsa Race Massacre.
The Fire in Little Africa album is set for release on May 28, 2021 through a partnership with Motown Records/Black Forum, Tulsa’s Bob Dylan Center, the Woody Guthrie Center, and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission.
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