Top 5 Southern California Rappers To Keep An Eye On In 2019

Top 5 Southern California Rappers To Watch In 2019

There may be no place more synonymous with hip-hop than Southern California. With the blazing sun, the south-west capital of music has been cooking up heaters for decades. This is where some of hip-hop’s best talents have been born and bred. With a storied history and a definite sound, SoCal has written its way into the history books.

The future of Southern Californian rap is held in the hands of the few. As classic talents continue to shine, the new age of SoCal rap is on the come up. With a history so deep and sound so distinct, I feel like it is increasingly necessary to dip into the top artists we need to be looking out for in 2019.

Roddy Ricch

Top 5 Southern California Rappers to Watch in 2019Roddy Ricch from Compton started music simply out of interest when he was 16 years old. He then began recording like crazy. With only four years experience, Ricch has already made himself a spot in the Hip-Hop world.

His 2017 mixtape Feed Tha Streets and 2018 album release Be 4 Tha Fame created him a platform via digital download to solidify himself fans in the early stages. His projects didn’t only help him gain fans, but it helped him get accustomed to the industry. It all primed him to release his biggest release yet, Feed Tha Streets II in March 2018.

It would reach 64 on the Billboard Top 200, and with very good reason. Ricch sports a creative and solidified flow. A catchy and controlled cadence lance on top of a foundry of unique beats. His relaxed demeanor with street influenced lyrics builds a singular feel that only he could produce himself.

Since his recent success, he’s officially signed with Bird Vision Entertainment and created extensive relationships with artists including Meek Mill, DJ Mustard and Nipsy Hussle. Ricch is primed to continue to the main stage with his insane individual talent being paired along such all-star talent. As he continues to grow his repertoire all we have to do is sit back and listen.

You can keep up with Roddy Ricch at his Instagram, Twitter, Spotify and Apple Music.

Roddy Rich – “Every Season”

Real J Wallace

Real J Wallace is an artist hailing from San Diego, California. Wallace boasts a very distinct, old school sound that he claims proudly. Listening to his songs is a one of a kind throwback experience that you would love to bump on a sunny day.

Wallace has been releasing music for as early as 2013. With a storied career he has gained valuable experience to master his iconic style of distorted beats mixed with jaw dropped bars. A true old school artist at heart, Wallace knows how to tell a story through his songs. While listening the most recent artists that I could compare Wallace to is Atmosphere. If that’s your shit, Wallace is your man.

His most recent album release was in 2018, titled Aloe Vera, was produced by fellow San Diego artist Dayfade. With an extensive discography of solo releases and features, Wallace is definitely worth the listen. With his talents developing and as he continues to realize his style, Wallace will be a force coming out of the South West.

You can see what Real J Wallace is up to through his Instagram, Twitter, Soundcloud and Spotify.

Real J Wallace – “My Mama Black”

$tupid Young

Top 5 Southern California Rappers to Watch in 2019Although far from unknown, I believe $tupid Young can become an all-star in the rap game in the upcoming years. With huge successes from certified bangers such as the likes of “Mando” ft. Mozzy, “Trust Nobody” and “Low-Key”.

$tupid Young has been releasing music since 2011 when he was 18 years old. With a unique background, the Cambodian-American has been immersed in the Long Beach gang lifestyle his whole life. As an Asian-American gangster, Young has polished himself an original take on the Hip-Hop game. With gang focused tracks, $tupid Young can mesh with the beat unlike many others.

Young saw his first bit of success and feedback in one of his most iconic and important features of his career. Working along Heartbreaka on “Feel Like” by Yung Jae, Young saw what it would take to be beheld in the spotlight. That same year, his single “Mando” blew up and brought a whole new opportunity for the rapper.

The artist has released to projects thus far titled One of One and True Story. Both pieces received critical acclaim as well as amassing a passionate fan base. He is also in the works to release a third project in the near future.

$tupid Young’s success isn’t only in music. Young appeared in Vice’s piece on Asian Hip-Hop artists tilted “Hip Hop’s Reckoning with Asian Rappers: $tupid Young, 88rising, and Ebro Darden”. Vice offered an in-depth look at the budding Asian hip-hop scene that is all too important to overlook. This Long Beach native is at the head of the movement, and won’t be slowing down anytime soon.

Keep up with $tupid Young on his Instagram, Twitter, Apple Music and Spotify.

$tupid Young – “Trust Nobody”

REASON

Top 5 Southern California Rappers to Watch in 2019REASON’s rap career, although still short, has been quite the storied one. Working alongside Kendrick Lamar as a member of TDE, he’s been able to collaborate with some of the best in the business. Citing artists such as J. Cole, Eminem, Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, and Fabolous as major influences to his music. With this mix of generational talent has inspired a new distinct style for REASON.

With insightful and question raising lyrics, REASON can weave together a story that grabs the hearts of listeners. Born in Carson, California, the artist has been able to build his career through the fans of his region. His powerful voice and ease of words builds a listen that anyone can enjoy. Often referencing pop-culture, basketball and Californian culture; the artist has a definite identity in his music.

REASON signed to TDE in August, creating a whole new path for him to develop his music. Since he’s released singles including “The Soul”, “Summer Up”, and a feature on Black Panther’s “Seasons”.

He then re-released his debut studio album titled There You Have It in September of 2018 under the TDE label. He would announced that he was invited to the “Dreamville Camp Sessions” for the upcoming release of Revenge of the Dreamers III. The artist will also be hopping on the first leg of J.I.D‘s “Catch Me If You Can Tour”, which is wrapping up now.

Want to keep up with everything that REASON is doing? You can check his Instagram, Twitter, Apple Music, and Spotify here.

Reason – “The Soul”

JMIN

Top 5 Southern California Rappers to Watch in 2019Now, my favorite artist to this point. Originally from Florida, JMIN moved to LA in the 9th grade. The 18-year-old has been carving his spot in Southern California music through his intrinsically catchy trap style. Influenced by skate-culture and his proxy home of LA, JMIN has the total SoCal talent package.

Releasing the majority of his music videos and marketing through the infamous No Jumper, JMIN has an active fan base through a reputable and solidified host for new up-and-coming artists via NJ. At only 18, this artist has the opportunity to build his artistic skills and add to his resume.

With just a short discography, we are left with only a hint of what JMIN can offer, but that’s what makes new music so interesting. But for my bet, JMIN will be able to build on the hype and have a break out year in the few to come.

JMIN – “Spaceship”

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