alternative hip-hop artists
211 published alternative hip-hop artists, led by Black Eyed Peas, Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott. The list below shows the 120 most famous.
At a glance
211 published alternative hip-hop artists; 1,302 studio albums have verified cover art.
- Published artists20 tier 1 · 12 tier 2 · 179 tier 3
- 211
- Release groups
- 6,261
- Studio albums
- 1,390
- Albums with cover artverified Cover Art Archive
- 1,302
- Timeline events
- 1,926
- Monthly listenerssum across artists
- 887.2M
- Claimed salessum of stored claims; implausible values excluded
- 80M
- Average career spanfirst to last dated release
- 19.7 years
- Full biographies
- 165
- Biography words
- 411,545
When they started
Debut decade from each artist's earliest dated release. Most debuts fell in the 2000s (52 artists).
| Decade | Artists |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 1 |
| 1980s | 7 |
| 1990s | 32 |
| 2000s | 52 |
| 2010s | 41 |
| 2020s | 2 |
Where they come from
Countries with the most alternative hip-hop artists. United States leads with 158.
Often paired with
Genres that share artists with alternative hip-hop. The most shared is hip-hop, with 78 artists in both.
Covers from alternative hip-hop
1,302 studio albums have verified cover art. The 12 shown come from the most famous artists.
ELEVATION
Black Eyed Peas · 2022
TRANSLATION
Black Eyed Peas · 2020
Masters of the Sun, Vol. 1
Black Eyed Peas · 2018
The Beginning
Black Eyed Peas · 2010
The E•N•D
Black Eyed Peas · 2009
Monkey Business
Black Eyed Peas · 2005
Official 2005 Grey Cup After Party Mix CD
Black Eyed Peas · 2005
Elephunk
Black Eyed Peas · 2003
Bridging the Gap
Black Eyed Peas · 2000
Behind the Front
Black Eyed Peas · 1998
GNX
Kendrick Lamar · 2024
Compton Cowboys
Kendrick Lamar · 2023
Leaders
Beck has the most release groups (266); Beastie Boys the longest career (42 years); Kendrick Lamar the most awards (42).
Most prolific
| Artist | release groups |
|---|---|
| Beck | 266 |
| Beastie Boys | 169 |
| Nas | 156 |
| Kendrick Lamar | 154 |
| Busta Rhymes | 150 |
Longest careers
first to last dated release
| Artist | years |
|---|---|
| Beastie Boys | 42 |
| Robert Hunter | 41 |
| Beck | 38 |
| Everlast | 38 |
| Jovanotti | 38 |
Most decorated
| Artist | awards |
|---|---|
| Kendrick Lamar | 42 |
| Childish Gambino | 27 |
| Calle 13 | 19 |
| Twenty One Pilots | 18 |
| Janelle Monáe | 18 |
Most famous alternative hip-hop artists
Black Eyed Peas
United States · Group · 1995–present
pop music, hip-hop, pop rap, alternative hip-hop, Latin hip-hop
64.1M listeners · 73 wikis
Kendrick Lamar
United States · Person · born 1987
pop music, jazz, hardcore hip-hop, progressive rap, gangsta rap, alternative hip-hop, West Coast hip-hop, conscious hip-hop, jazz rap
71.1M listeners · 75 wikis
Travis Scott
United States · Person · born 1991
rock music, psychedelic rock, contemporary R&B, pop rock, hip-hop, trap music, alternative rock, pop rap, Southern hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B, psychedelic rap, psychedelic music, psychedelic hip-hop
62.2M listeners · 58 wikis
Childish Gambino
United States · Person · born 1983
contemporary R&B, soul, funk, comedy hip-hop, Southern hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B, indie pop, psychedelic rap, psychedelic music, psychedelic hip-hop, psychedelic soul, dark pop, observational comedy, surreal humour, black comedy, musical comedy, sketch comedy
32.9M listeners · 58 wikis
Twenty One Pilots
United States · Group · 2009–present
pop rock, rap rock, alternative rock, electropop, reggae, alternative hip-hop, indie pop
39.2M listeners · 61 wikis
Tyler, the Creator
United States · Person · born 1991
horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, West Coast hip-hop, jazz rap, neo soul
37.8M listeners · 56 wikis
Juice Wrld
United States · Person · born 1998
contemporary R&B, hip-hop, trap music, alternative rock, pop rap, alternative hip-hop, emo rap, SoundCloud rap, mumble rap
30M listeners · 51 wikis
OutKast
United States · Group · 1992–2007
funk, jazz, progressive rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, alternative hip-hop, jazz rap, psychedelic rap, psychedelic hip-hop, Atlanta hip-hop
28.2M listeners · 43 wikis
Macklemore
United States · Person · born 1983
hip-hop, comedy hip-hop, pop rap, alternative hip-hop, hipster hop
37.4M listeners · 52 wikis
A$AP Rocky
United States · Person · born 1988
trap music, East Coast hip-hop, cloud rap, alternative hip-hop, psychedelic rap, experimental hip-hop
39.2M listeners · 50 wikis
Mac Miller
United States · Person · born 1992
pop rap, East Coast hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, jazz rap, frat rap
43.8M listeners · 47 wikis
Kid Cudi
United States · Person · born 1984
contemporary R&B, Midwest hip-hop, alternative rock, Q3071, pop rap, grunge, alternative hip-hop, neo-psychedelia, emo rap, trip hop, psychedelic rap, psychedelic hip-hop
26.9M listeners · 46 wikis
More alternative hip-hop artists
Showing 1–108 of 108 artists
Dominic Fike
United States · Person · born 1995
rock music, pop rock, rap rock, alternative rock, alternative hip-hop, indie rock, indie pop
47.2M listeners · 32 wikis · Tier 1
Jason Mraz
United States · Person · born 1977
pop music, funk, pop rock, jazz, alternative rock, reggae, blue-eyed soul, surf music, alternative hip-hop
18.8M listeners · 51 wikis · Tier 1
B.o.B
United States · Person · born 1988
rock music, pop rock, alternative rock, pop rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, alternative hip-hop
27.6M listeners · 42 wikis · Tier 1
Busta Rhymes
United States · Person · born 1972
hardcore hip-hop, progressive rap, East Coast hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
15.2M listeners · 54 wikis · Tier 1
Lil Peep
United States · Person · born 1996
rap rock, trap music, alternative rock, alternative hip-hop, pop-punk, emo rap, lo-fi music
19.6M listeners · 48 wikis · Tier 2
Beastie Boys
United States · Group · 1981–2012
hip-hop, rap rock, alternative hip-hop, hardcore punk, Q3930216
8.3M listeners · 57 wikis · Tier 2
Beck
United States · Person · born 1970
soul, alternative rock, alternative hip-hop, indie rock, lo-fi music, psychedelic music, anti-folk
7.6M listeners · 53 wikis · Tier 2
Doechii
United States · Person · born 1998
pop music, contemporary R&B, hip-hop, pop rap, alternative hip-hop
24M listeners · 36 wikis · Tier 1
mgk
United States · Person · born 1990
hip-hop, rap rock, alternative rock, pop rap, alternative hip-hop, pop-punk
14.7M listeners · 46 wikis · Tier 1
Nas
United States · Person · born 1973
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, alternative hip-hop, conscious hip-hop, jazz rap, boom bap
9.1M listeners · 56 wikis · Tier 3
M.I.A.
Sri Lanka · Person · born 1975
pop music, dance music, alternative rock, progressive rap, pop rap, world music, alternative hip-hop, electronica, experimental hip-hop
9.6M listeners · 54 wikis · Tier 3
Gym Class Heroes
United States · Group · 1997–present
funk, rhythm and blues, rap rock, pop rap, alternative hip-hop, emo rap
23.1M listeners · 32 wikis · Tier 1
Trippie Redd
United States · Person · born 1999
contemporary R&B, rap rock, Midwest hip-hop, trap music, alternative rock, cloud rap, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B, pop-punk, emo rap, SoundCloud rap, mumble rap, experimental hip-hop, rage
25.1M listeners · 28 wikis · Tier 1
Anderson .Paak
United States · Person · born 1986
pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, funk, hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B
22.9M listeners · 27 wikis · Tier 1
De La Soul
United States · Group · 1987–present
hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, jazz rap
21.9M listeners · 27 wikis · Tier 1
Lupe Fiasco
United States · Person · born 1982
hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
11.5M listeners · 36 wikis · Tier 3
MF DOOM
United Kingdom · Person · born 1971
East Coast hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, underground hip-hop
7.3M listeners · 41 wikis · Tier 2
K’naan
Canada · Person · born 1978
world music, alternative hip-hop, spoken word, reggae fusion
7.1M listeners · 41 wikis · Tier 3
Chance the Rapper
United States · Person · born 1993
contemporary R&B, gospel music, hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B, conscious hip-hop
8.2M listeners · 35 wikis · Tier 3
Kelis
United States · Person · born 1979
soul, rhythm and blues, alternative hip-hop, neo soul
6.6M listeners · 34 wikis · Tier 3
Travie McCoy
United States · Person · born 1981
rap rock, pop rap, reggae, alternative hip-hop
7.5M listeners · 27 wikis · Tier 3
070 Shake
United States · Person · born 1997
hip-hop, cloud rap, alternative hip-hop
12.2M listeners · 14 wikis · Tier 1
Calle 13
United States · Group · 2004–present
rap rock, alternative rock, reggaeton, Latin pop, world music, alternative hip-hop, Latin hip-hop, ska, experimental music, alternative reggaeton
9.2M listeners · 19 wikis · Tier 3
Del the Funky Homosapien
United States · Person · born 1972
hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
9.8M listeners · 14 wikis · Tier 3
Janelle Monáe
United States · Person · born 1985
rock music, pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, funk, hip-hop soul, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B, psychedelic soul, progressive soul
50 wikis · Tier 2
Jaden Smith
United States · Person · born 1998
hip-hop, trap music, pop rap, alternative hip-hop
58 wikis · Tier 3
Awkwafina
United States · Person · born 1988
alternative hip-hop
56 wikis · Tier 3
Die Antwoord
South Africa · Group · 2008–present
electronic dance music, alternative hip-hop
48 wikis · Tier 3
Common
United States · Person · born 1972
pop music, contemporary R&B, hip-hop, pop rap, rapping, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B, conscious hip-hop, jazz rap, neo soul, trip hop
38 wikis · Tier 3
Damon Albarn
United Kingdom · Person · born 1968
art rock, hip-hop, alternative rock, world music, alternative hip-hop, indie rock, Britpop, dub music, worldbeat
47 wikis · Tier 3
Flavor Flav
United States · Person · born 1959
hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
37 wikis · Tier 3
Riz Ahmed
United Kingdom · Person · born 1982
hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, political hip-hop, conscious hip-hop, qawwali, UK rap
44 wikis · Tier 3
Yasiin Bey
United States · Person · born 1973
soul, progressive rap, hip-hop soul, East Coast hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, conscious hip-hop
44 wikis · Tier 3
André 3000
United States · Person · born 1975
pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, funk, electronic music, jazz, progressive rap, pop rap, hip-hop soul, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, ambient music, alternative hip-hop, new age music, jazz rap, Atlanta hip-hop, soul jazz
31 wikis · Tier 3
Adam Yauch
United States · Person · born 1964
hip-hop, rap rock, alternative hip-hop, hardcore punk
28 wikis · Tier 2
Tyler Joseph
United States · Person · born 1988
pop rock, rap rock, alternative rock, electropop, reggae, alternative hip-hop, indie pop
37 wikis · Tier 3
Big Boi
United States · Person · born 1975
funk, progressive rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, alternative hip-hop, psychedelic rap, psychedelic hip-hop, Atlanta hip-hop
27 wikis · Tier 3
Inspectah Deck
United States · Person · born 1970
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
27 wikis · Tier 3
Masta Killa
United States · Person · born 1969
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, alternative hip-hop
27 wikis · Tier 3
Neneh Cherry
Sweden · Person · born 1964
pop music, jazz, hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, trip hop, free jazz
36 wikis · Tier 3
Q-Tip
United States · Person · born 1970
East Coast hip-hop, rapping, alternative hip-hop, jazz rap, progressive soul
26 wikis · Tier 3
Josh Dun
United States · Person · born 1988
alternative rock, synth-pop, alternative hip-hop, indie pop
35 wikis · Tier 3
Fort Minor
United States · Group · 2004–2006
alternative hip-hop
35 wikis · Tier 2
Taboo
United States · Person · born 1975
hip-hop, electro, alternative hip-hop
34 wikis · Tier 3
Ad-Rock
United States · Person · born 1966
hip-hop, rap rock, alternative hip-hop, hardcore punk
24 wikis · Tier 3
U-God
United States · Person · born 1970
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
24 wikis · Tier 3
Pusha T
United States · Person · born 1977
alternative hip-hop
30 wikis · Tier 3
Talib Kweli
United States · Person · born 1975
East Coast hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
30 wikis · Tier 3
Robert Hunter
United States · Person · born 1941
rock and roll, blues rock, folk rock, psychedelic rock, country rock, alternative hip-hop, bluegrass music
20 wikis · Tier 2
Jovanotti
Italy · Person · born 1966
pop music, funk, pop rock, folk-pop, world music, alternative hip-hop
29 wikis · Tier 3
CupcakKe
United States · Person · born 1997
hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, dirty rap
28 wikis · Tier 3
Earl Sweatshirt
United States · Person · born 1994
jazz, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, West Coast hip-hop, jazz rap, psychedelic rap, psychedelic hip-hop, industrial music, experimental hip-hop, abstract hip-hop, industrial hip-hop
28 wikis · Tier 3
Saul Williams
United States · Person · born 1972
hip-hop, rapping, alternative hip-hop, electronica, industrial music
28 wikis · Tier 3
Hopsin
United States · Person · born 1985
hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, comedy hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, West Coast hip-hop, underground hip-hop
27 wikis · Tier 3
Flight of the Conchords
New Zealand · Group · 1998–present
rock music, folk rock, funk, folk music, hip-hop, alternative rock, new wave, alternative hip-hop, indie rock, acoustic music, comedy rock, comedy film
27 wikis · Tier 3
Everlast
United States · Person · born 1969
blues rock, folk rock, blues, hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, rap rock, alternative rock, country rap, alternative hip-hop
26 wikis · Tier 3
Mike D
United States · Person · born 1965
hip-hop, rap rock, alternative hip-hop, hardcore punk
17 wikis · Tier 3
J Dilla
United States · Person · born 1974
soul, hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, instrumental hip-hop
25 wikis · Tier 3
Odd Future
United States · Group · 2007–present
horrorcore, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B, West Coast hip-hop
24 wikis · Tier 3
Vince Staples
United States · Person · born 1993
gangsta rap, alternative hip-hop, West Coast hip-hop
24 wikis · Tier 3
Danny Brown
United States · Person · born 1981
hardcore hip-hop, progressive rap, alternative hip-hop, punk rap, psychedelic rap, experimental hip-hop
22 wikis · Tier 3
Jon Bellion
United States · Person · born 1990
pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, dance-pop, hip-hop, alternative rock, pop rap, alternative hip-hop, indie rock, indie pop
22 wikis · Tier 3
Angel Haze
United States · Person · born 1991
hip-hop, rap rock, Midwest hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
21 wikis · Tier 3
Killer Mike
United States · Person · born 1975
gospel music, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, alternative hip-hop, political hip-hop, conscious hip-hop, Atlanta hip-hop
21 wikis · Tier 3
Lil B
United States · Person · born 1989
hip-hop, ambient music, cloud rap, alternative hip-hop, West Coast hip-hop, new age music, lo-fi music, experimental music, outsider music, experimental hip-hop, hyphy, deep funk
20 wikis · Tier 3
Bones
United States · Person · born 1994
trap music, cloud rap, alternative hip-hop, West Coast hip-hop, emo rap, trap metal, underground hip-hop
19 wikis · Tier 3
Mala Rodríguez
Spain · Person · born 1979
hip-hop, reggaeton, alternative hip-hop, flamenco
19 wikis · Tier 3
Oxxxymiron
Soviet Union · Person · born 1985
hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, conscious hip-hop, grime
19 wikis · Tier 3
Pete Rock
United States · Person · born 1970
East Coast hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, jazz rap, old-school hip-hop, golden age hip-hop, experimental hip-hop, turntablism, instrumental hip-hop
19 wikis · Tier 3
Abd al Malik
France · Person · born 1974
rapping, alternative hip-hop
18 wikis · Tier 3
Jungle Brothers
United States · Group · 1987–present
alternative hip-hop
17 wikis · Tier 3
Bilal
United States · Person · born 1979
soul, rhythm and blues, alternative hip-hop
16 wikis · Tier 2
Kool Keith
United States · Person · born 1963
hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, alternative hip-hop, conscious hip-hop, trip hop, psychedelic rap, dirty rap, golden age hip-hop, underground hip-hop, abstract hip-hop
16 wikis · Tier 3
Watkin Tudor Jones
South Africa · Person · born 1974
hip-hop, techno, alternative hip-hop, rave music
16 wikis · Tier 3
Brother Ali
United States · Person · born 1977
hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
15 wikis · Tier 3
JPEGMafia
United States · Person · born 1989
hardcore hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B, lo-fi music, psychedelic rap, experimental hip-hop, industrial hip-hop
15 wikis · Tier 3
k-os
Canada · Person · born 1972
funk, hip-hop, reggae, alternative hip-hop
15 wikis · Tier 3
K.Flay
United States · Person · born 1985
alternative hip-hop, indie rock
15 wikis · Tier 3
Scriptonite
Kazakhstan · Person · born 1990
rhythm and blues, hip-hop, rap rock, trap music, blue-eyed soul, alternative hip-hop, trip hop
15 wikis · Tier 3
Taco Hemingway
Poland · Person · born 1990
pop music, hip-hop, trap music, alternative hip-hop
15 wikis · Tier 3
Youssoupha
Democratic Republic of the Congo · Person · born 1979
hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
15 wikis · Tier 3
Fun Lovin' Criminals
United States · Group · 1993–present
funk, alternative rock, alternative hip-hop, jazz rap
15 wikis · Tier 3
Aminé
United States · Person · born 1994
contemporary R&B, trap music, alternative hip-hop, West Coast hip-hop
14 wikis · Tier 3
Isaiah Rashad
United States · Person · born 1991
Southern hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
14 wikis · Tier 3
Chiddy Bang
United States · Group · 2009–2013
pop music, hip-hop, electro, synth-pop, alternative hip-hop, electronica, indietronica
13 wikis · Tier 3
O.S.T.R.
Poland · Person · born 1980
hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, political hip-hop, jazz rap
13 wikis · Tier 3
Sage Francis
United States · Person · born 1976
hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
13 wikis · Tier 3
Francis Magalona
Philippines · Person · born 1964
hip-hop, rap rock, alternative hip-hop, political hip-hop, Pinoy hip hop
12 wikis · Tier 3
GoldLink
United States · Person · born 1993
contemporary R&B, hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, electronica
12 wikis · Tier 3
Krizz Kaliko
United States · Person · born 1974
hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, rap rock, Midwest hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
12 wikis · Tier 3
Roots Manuva
United Kingdom · Person · born 1972
alternative hip-hop, trip hop, dub music
12 wikis · Tier 3
Eyedea
United States · Person · born 1981
alternative hip-hop
11 wikis · Tier 3
Nothing,Nowhere
United States · Person · born 1992
trap music, alternative rock, alternative hip-hop, indie rock, emo rap, trap metal, emo, post-hardcore, screamo
11 wikis · Tier 3
Pouya
United States · Person · born 1994
hip-hop, Southern hip-hop, cloud rap, alternative hip-hop, emo rap
11 wikis · Tier 3
Residente
United States · Person · born 1978
urban contemporary, reggaeton, world music, alternative hip-hop, Latin trap
11 wikis · Tier 3
Theophilus London
United States · Person · born 1987
hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B
11 wikis · Tier 3
Bahamadia
United States · Person · born 1966
alternative hip-hop
10 wikis · Tier 3
Buck 65
Canada · Person · born 1972
country music, blues, alternative hip-hop, experimental music
10 wikis · Tier 3
Chali 2na
United States · Person · born 1971
hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
10 wikis · Tier 3
Dolphin
Russia · Person · born 1971
experimental rock, electronic music, hip-hop, alternative rock, post-punk, alternative hip-hop, indie rock, trip hop, noise rock, Q3930216, shoegaze
10 wikis · Tier 3
Grandson
United States · Person · born 1993
electronic dance music, rap rock, trap music, alternative rock, alternative hip-hop, political hip-hop
10 wikis · Tier 3
Jidenna
United States · Person · born 1985
pop music, contemporary R&B, hip-hop, pop rap, alternative hip-hop
10 wikis · Tier 3
Tommy Genesis
Canada · Person · born 1990
trap music, house music, alternative hip-hop, experimental hip-hop
10 wikis · Tier 3
Busdriver
United States · Person · born 1978
hip-hop, progressive rap, alternative hip-hop, underground hip-hop, experimental hip-hop, grime, abstract hip-hop
9 wikis · Tier 3
Carl Brave
Italy · Person · born 1989
alternative hip-hop, indie pop
9 wikis · Tier 3
Dumbfoundead
Argentina · Person · born 1986
hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
9 wikis · Tier 3
Mr. Lif
United States · Person · born 1977
hip-hop, alternative hip-hop
9 wikis · Tier 3
Mykki Blanco
United States · Person · born 1986
alternative hip-hop
9 wikis · Tier 3