The Youngest Rappers Who Made it Big

Today, we’re looking at 12 youngest rappers who made it big in the industry.

XXXTentacion

Jahseh Onfroy's rise began with "News/Flock" at 15, but it was "Look at Me" at 17 that
catapulted him. Despite starting underground, X gained millions of streams years later. Tracks
like "Jocelyn Flores" and "Sad!" left a lasting impact in hip-hop's SoundCloud era.

Chief Keef

Keith Cozart, at 16, stormed onto the scene with his genre-defining hit, "I Don’t Like." The drill
anthem, showcasing his gritty style, gained widespread appeal with its raw video. Keef's debut
album, "Finally Rich," featuring hits like "Love Sosa" and "Hate Being Sober," solidified his
impact.

Soulja Boy

DeAndre Way, at 16, transformed hip-hop through digital marketing. His viral hit "Crank That
(Soulja Boy)" thrived on platforms like LimeWire. The song's success led to a major label deal
and a debut album at 17, soaring to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Lil Pump

Gazzy García kicked off his rap journey at 16, gaining SoundCloud fame with tracks like "D.
Rose" and "What You Gotta Say." However, it was "Gucci Gang" at 17 that skyrocketed his
career, a simple yet catchy hit earning him his first platinum song and a No. 3 Billboard peak.

Lil Tecca

Tyler Sharpe, launched into the mainstream at 15 with "Tectri." It paved the way for "Ransom,"
showcasing his laid-back style. The track soared to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, fueling his
debut mixtape "We Love You Tecca”.

NBA Youngboy

At 16, Kentrell Gaulden rose in Louisiana's rap scene with "38 Baby," featuring Boosie BadAzz
and Kevin Gates. His mainstream breakthrough came at 17 with "Untouchable" from "AI
YoungBoy," narrating his journey to success.

NLE Choppa
Bryson Potts emerged in Memphis at 16 with "Shotta Flow" in 2019, a raw depiction of street life
that hit big nationally, debuting at No. 96 on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut EP, "Cottonwood,"
showcased his attacking flow and catchy hooks, featuring collaborations with Blueface and
Meek Mill, gaining mass popularity.

Luh Tyler

At 16, Tyler Meeks soared to fame with "Law & Order" in 2022, sampling the TV show theme.
The track exploded on social media, surpassing 11 million Spotify streams. His debut album,
"My Vision," showcased his breezy flow and playful lyrics, cementing his rise in the TikTok era.

Lil RT

At just 9 years old, Lil RT, an Atlanta-based rapper, gained fame with viral tracks like "60 Miles
2." His music, highlighted on WORLDSTARHIPHOP and TikTok, gained millions of views on
YouTube. Managed by his mom, he's gained over 120,000 Instagram followers.

NOTE: (can’t find his real name, parents are keeping it private)

Nas

Nasir Jones emerged as a lyrical prodigy in New York's hip-hop scene. His explosive verse in
Main Source's "Live at the Barbeque" at just 17 set the stage. Signing with Columbia Records
after, "Halftime" affirmed his rising star status, paving the way for his groundbreaking debut
album, Illmatic.

Lil Wayne

At 15, Dwayne Carter joined the Hot Boys, the youngest member of the New Orleans rap crew.
Their debut album saw success, but it was Wayne's standout performances on their second
release at 17 that defined his rise.

Latto

Alyssa Stephen's journey began on Jermaine Dupri's show, "The Rap Game," where, at 16, she
showed her talent. Winning the season but choosing independence, she used the platform to
gain fame. Her debut single, "On My Way," from the mixtape "Miss Mulatto," highlighted her
versatile southern flow.

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