Top 5: The five best Atlanta rappers of all time
Since the emergence of crunk and the electronification of hip-hop that accompanied it, more and more people have begun looking to the South for their hip-hop. It is indisputable that sampling became less common in rap music during the mid-2000s, and artists such as Kanye West helped cement this reality with albums like Graduation and 808s & Heartbreak.
Although Kanye’s 2008 album boosted the popularity of the 808 bass kick, producers in the South had been using them for years with their more digital production. When Kanye released 808s & Heartbreak, the sound became much more prevalent in hip-hop. By the year 2012, when an offshoot of crunk music known as trap came out of Atlanta, the South began to hold the torch for hip-hop, and it has been holding it ever since.
To this day, trap is the sound of hip-hop, with people not even considering it trap music, merely hip-hop; because it is so present in the mainstream, it has overshadowed and obliterated other forms of hip-hop. Atlanta holds the torch for rap music and has, arguably, since the early 2010s, when artists such as Gucci Mane and Jeezy peaked in popularity.
However, labels such as Quality Control and 1017 Records have birthed stars such as Young Thug, the Migos and Lil Baby. That said, Atlanta has become a breeding ground for new talent, but some of the city’s older stars are still powerful and highly respected. As such, below, we have compiled a list of the five most essential and impactful Atlanta MCs of all time.
The five best Atlanta rappers of all time:
5. Gucci Mane
Gucci Mane is an Atlanta legend and although he has become an easily dislikeable figure over the years he has helped a to of local talent. From the Migos to Young Thug, Waka Flocka Flame and others his label 1017 Records is only second to Quality Control as the most powerful label in Atlanta.
Gucci Mane is one of Atlanta’s most pioneering MCs. As one of the first trap artists of all time, he made a massive impact on hip-hop and was among a handful of artists who put Atlanta on the map. With critically acclaimed albums such as Trap House, Hard To Kill, Trap-A-Thon and Back to the Trap House, he laid a blueprint for young Southern artists who now dominate the hip-hop culture.
4. Young Thug
Young Thug was just released from jail but despite the lengthy trial he still remains one of Atlanta’s most beloved MCs. Although his style could be compared to Future’s or other prominent Atlanta rappers, his style and energy is undeniably attractive. From Drake to Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj and more Young Thug has collaborated with the best of the best.
His career took off when he signed with fellow Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records and he began to see a wave of support for his music after a few years when he released tracks such as ‘Stoner’ and ‘Danny Glover’. Young Thug has made a huge impact on hip-hop and despite his arguably simple style it has proved successful.
3. The Migos
The Migos changed hip-hop in the eyes of many and for some it was an exciting development and for others it was a regression. However, hether you love the Migos or hate them, it’s fair to say they made some lasting changes with regard to the kind of rap people consume.
The trio who rose on the Quality Control label in the 2010s quickly took over hip-hop and became the faces of the genre for the decade. It is argued that it was the Migos that popularised the triplet flow and their ingenious use of it for hooks became a practice that is now regarded as common practice. It is now the de facto sound of rap music and although their music isn’t to everybody’s taste, commercially, they were a phenomenon who created classic Southern club music.
2. Future
Future is one of the most respected MCs in Atlanta, and his contribution to hip-hop has been mammoth. Since the early 2010s and even the late-2000s, he has put out hits that have swept the charts. Songs such as ‘Mask Off’ remain club anthems to this day, and despite him often being labelled as a “mumble rapper” and a promoter of drug abuse, he has remained one of the most pivotal MCs in rap music.
‘Mask Off’ was a song that went nine times platinum. Due to his prevalence in the mainstream over the years, Future has been described as one of the most influential rappers of his generation. Many MCs have attempted to mimic his sound and style. Alongside figures such as Drake, Future is often considered one of the main pioneers of contemporary, melody-driven hip-hop.
1. André 3000
André 3000 is undeniably the most impactful artist to come out of Atlanta. From the quality of the music he has released over the years to his creativity, as part of Outkast, he delivered some of hip-hop’s most beloved tracks and albums. Speakerboxx/The Love Below surpassed The Eminem Show in 2023, becoming the highest-selling hip-hop project of all time, and his versatility is unparalleled.
From ATLiens to Stankonia the Outkast discography is untouchable, and only figures such as Kanye West and Dr Dre have managed to build such a flawless catalogue of music. Songs such as ‘Ms Jackson’ are timeless and André 3000 inspired an entire generation of creatives to embrace difference and become more experimental in their approach to rap music.