hardcore hip-hop artists

At a glance

248 published hardcore hip-hop artists; 3,391 studio albums have verified cover art.

When they started

Debut decade from each artist's earliest dated release. Most debuts fell in the 1990s (92 artists).

Where they come from

Countries with the most hardcore hip-hop artists. United States leads with 225.

• United States 225
• Italy 5
• France 4
• Canada 2
• Germany 2
• Cuba 1
• Jamaica 1
• Morocco 1

Often paired with

Genres that share artists with hardcore hip-hop. The most shared is gangsta rap, with 174 artists in both.

• gangsta rap 174
• hip-hop 111
• East Coast hip-hop 81
• Southern hip-hop 67
• dirty south 59
• horrorcore 45
• trap music 43
• West Coast hip-hop 39

Covers from hardcore hip-hop

3,391 studio albums have verified cover art. The 12 shown come from the most famous artists.

Leaders

Gucci Mane has the most release groups (333); Ice-T the longest career (43 years); Kendrick Lamar the most awards (42).

More hardcore hip-hop artists

Showing 1–108 of 108 artists

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

DMX

United States · Person · born 1970

horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, Christian hip-hop

11.4M listeners · 58 wikis · Tier 2

6ix9ine

United States · Person · born 1996

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, reggaeton, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, SoundCloud rap, punk rap, trap metal, urbano music, drill, Brooklyn drill

14.4M listeners · 52 wikis · Tier 1

Gucci Mane

United States · Person · born 1980

hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, Atlanta hip-hop, dirty rap

24.4M listeners · 40 wikis · Tier 1

Rick Ross

United States · Person · born 1976

hardcore hip-hop, trap music, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south

16.8M listeners · 45 wikis · Tier 1

French Montana

Morocco · Person · born 1984

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap

30.3M listeners · 31 wikis · Tier 1

Wu-Tang Clan

United States · Group · 1992–present

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap

7.2M listeners · 54 wikis · Tier 2

Ludacris

United States · Person · born 1977

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk, Atlanta hip-hop, dirty rap

9.6M listeners · 55 wikis · Tier 3

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

Roddy Ricch

United States · Person · born 1998

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, pop rap, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop

19.4M listeners · 29 wikis · Tier 1

Lil Durk

United States · Person · born 1992

hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, drill, Chicago hip-hop, Chicago drill

19.2M listeners · 28 wikis · Tier 1

Meek Mill

United States · Person · born 1987

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap

16.5M listeners · 30 wikis · Tier 1

2 Chainz

United States · Person · born 1977

hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, Atlanta hip-hop

10.2M listeners · 41 wikis · Tier 3

Fat Joe

United States · Person · born 1970

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap

12.2M listeners · 36 wikis · Tier 1

Jeezy

United States · Person · born 1977

hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, Atlanta hip-hop

10.9M listeners · 38 wikis · Tier 3

King Von

United States · Person · born 1994

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, drill, Chicago hip-hop, Chicago drill

11.9M listeners · 35 wikis · Tier 2

Lil' Kim

United States · Person · born 1974

contemporary R&B, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, dirty rap

6.6M listeners · 39 wikis · Tier 2

Lil Jon

United States · Person · born 1972

electronic dance music, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk, Atlanta hip-hop, dirty rap

7.8M listeners · 44 wikis · Tier 3

Ja Rule

United States · Person · born 1976

contemporary R&B, hardcore hip-hop, pop rap, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, political hip-hop

9.3M listeners · 39 wikis · Tier 3

Jelly Roll

United States · Person · born 1984

country music, hardcore hip-hop, Southern hip-hop, country rap

16.2M listeners · 23 wikis · Tier 1

Juicy J

United States · Person · born 1975

horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk, dirty rap, Memphis rap

8.7M listeners · 34 wikis · Tier 3

YG

United States · Person · born 1990

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, dirty rap

11.3M listeners · 28 wikis · Tier 3

Waka Flocka Flame

United States · Person · born 1986

hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk, Atlanta hip-hop

12M listeners · 24 wikis · Tier 3

Mobb Deep

United States · Group · 1992–2012

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap

7.5M listeners · 34 wikis · Tier 2

Schoolboy Q

United States · Person · born 1986

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop

9.3M listeners · 27 wikis · Tier 3

YNW Melly

United States · Person · born 1999

contemporary R&B, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, drill

11.5M listeners · 20 wikis · Tier 3

Denzel Curry

United States · Person · born 1995

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, Southern hip-hop, rap metal, cloud rap, conscious hip-hop, SoundCloud rap, punk rap, trap metal

7.3M listeners · 28 wikis · Tier 3

Kevin Gates

United States · Person · born 1986

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south

8.8M listeners · 21 wikis · Tier 3

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

United States · Group · 1991–present

contemporary R&B, hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, gangsta rap, G-funk, chopper

6.1M listeners · 28 wikis · Tier 3

Twista

United States · Person · born 1973

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, gangsta rap, chopper

6.9M listeners · 24 wikis · Tier 3

Pooh Shiesty

United States · Person · born 1999

hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, drill, Memphis rap

8.1M listeners · 16 wikis · Tier 3

Baby Bash

United States · Person · born 1975

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, West Coast hip-hop, Chicano rap

6.9M listeners · 16 wikis · Tier 3

G Herbo

United States · Person · born 1995

hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, drill, Chicago hip-hop, Chicago drill

6.5M listeners · 13 wikis · Tier 3

Niska

France · Person · born 1994

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, pop rap, gangsta rap, French hip-hop, Afro trap

6.3M listeners · 10 wikis · Tier 3

Group

N.W.A.

United States · Group · 1986–1991

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, old-school hip-hop

56 wikis · Tier 2

Public Enemy

United States · Group · 1986–present

hardcore hip-hop, progressive rap, East Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop

54 wikis · Tier 3

Eazy-E

United States · Person · born 1964

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, G-funk

57 wikis · Tier 2

Run-DMC

United States · Group · 1981–2002

hardcore hip-hop, rap rock, East Coast hip-hop

41 wikis · Tier 2

Ice-T

United States · Person · born 1958

heavy metal music, hardcore hip-hop, rap rock, gangsta rap, nu metal, rap metal, West Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, old-school hip-hop, golden age hip-hop

49 wikis · Tier 3

RZA

United States · Person · born 1969

horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, chipmunk soul, East Coast hip-hop, classical music, film score, underground hip-hop

47 wikis · Tier 3

Method Man

United States · Person · born 1971

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, stoner rap

45 wikis · Tier 3

Xzibit

United States · Person · born 1974

hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk, underground hip-hop

51 wikis · Tier 3

MC Ren

United States · Person · born 1969

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, G-funk

34 wikis · Tier 3

Ol' Dirty Bastard

United States · Person · born 1968

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop

34 wikis · Tier 2

D12

United States · Group · 1996–2018

horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, comedy hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, gangsta rap

41 wikis · Tier 2

Ghostface Killah

United States · Person · born 1970

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap

31 wikis · Tier 3

GZA

United States · Person · born 1966

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap

31 wikis · Tier 3

Raekwon

United States · Person · born 1970

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, boom bap

31 wikis · Tier 3

Big Pun

United States · Person · born 1971

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, Latin hip-hop

38 wikis · Tier 2

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

KRS-One

United States · Person · born 1965

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, political hip-hop, conscious hip-hop, old-school hip-hop, golden age hip-hop, boom bap

36 wikis · Tier 3

Nipsey Hussle

United States · Person · born 1985

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop

34 wikis · Tier 2

U-God

United States · Person · born 1970

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, alternative hip-hop

24 wikis · Tier 3

Lloyd Banks

United States · Person · born 1982

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap

33 wikis · Tier 3

Rakim

United States · Person · born 1968

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, conscious hip-hop, jazz rap

33 wikis · Tier 3

Death Grips

United States · Group · 2010–present

hardcore hip-hop, rap rock, punk rap, industrial music, experimental hip-hop, abstract hip-hop, industrial hip-hop, synth-punk, digital hardcore, glitch hop, post-industrial music

33 wikis · Tier 3

Timati

Russia · Person · born 1983

contemporary R&B, hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, hip house, breakcore, pornogrind

32 wikis · Tier 3

Young Buck

United States · Person · born 1981

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk

32 wikis · Tier 3

Person

Big L

United States · Person · born 1974

horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, underground hip-hop

31 wikis · Tier 2

Proof

United States · Person · born 1973

hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, gangsta rap

31 wikis · Tier 2

Redman

United States · Person · born 1970

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, psychedelic rap, psychedelic hip-hop

31 wikis · Tier 3

Tech N9ne

United States · Person · born 1971

horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, rap rock, Midwest hip-hop, gangsta rap, nu metal, rap metal, crunk, G-funk, industrial hip-hop, chopper, indie hip-hop

30 wikis · Tier 3

Three 6 Mafia

United States · Group · 1991–2012

hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk, dirty rap, underground hip-hop, Memphis rap

29 wikis · Tier 3

Master P

United States · Person · born 1970

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, G-funk

29 wikis · Tier 3

Desiigner

United States · Person · born 1997

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, East Coast hip-hop, mumble 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

Immortal Technique

United States · Person · born 1978

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, underground hip-hop

28 wikis · Tier 3

Kurupt

United States · Person · born 1972

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk

28 wikis · Tier 3

Necro

United States · Person · born 1976

hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop

28 wikis · Tier 3

B-Real

United States · Person · born 1970

hardcore hip-hop, rap rock, nu metal, rap metal, West Coast hip-hop

27 wikis · Tier 3

Birdman

United States · Person · born 1969

hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, bounce music, dirty south, crunk

27 wikis · Tier 3

E-40

United States · Person · born 1967

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, crunk, West Coast hip-hop, hyphy

27 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

Tony Yayo

United States · Person · born 1978

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap

27 wikis · Tier 3

Cappadonna

United States · Person · born 1969

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap

18 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

Person

Mack 10

United States · Person · born 1971

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk

26 wikis · Tier 3

Royce da 5'9"

United States · Person · born 1977

hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop

26 wikis · Tier 3

David Banner

United States · Person · born 1974

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk

25 wikis · Tier 3

DJ Premier

United States · Person · born 1966

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, jazz rap, boom bap

25 wikis · Tier 3

Too Short

United States · Person · born 1966

hardcore hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, crunk, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk, dirty rap, old-school hip-hop, golden age hip-hop, hyphy

25 wikis · Tier 3

WC

United States · Person · born 1970

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk

25 wikis · Tier 3

Jadakiss

United States · Person · born 1975

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap

24 wikis · Tier 3

Joyner Lucas

United States · Person · born 1988

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, conscious hip-hop

24 wikis · Tier 3

The D.O.C.

United States · Person · born 1968

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk

23 wikis · Tier 3

AZ

United States · Person · born 1972

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, underground hip-hop

23 wikis · Tier 3

Bun B

United States · Person · born 1973

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, country rap

23 wikis · Tier 3

Fabri Fibra

Italy · Person · born 1976

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, pop rap, political hip-hop

23 wikis · Tier 3

Jim Jones

United States · Person · born 1976

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap

23 wikis · Tier 3

Group

Outlawz

United States · Group · 1995–present

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, G-funk

23 wikis · Tier 3

Cam'ron

United States · Person · born 1976

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap

22 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

Juelz Santana

United States · Person · born 1982

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap

22 wikis · Tier 3

Kool G Rap

United States · Person · born 1968

horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, old-school hip-hop, golden age hip-hop, underground hip-hop

22 wikis · Tier 3

Daz Dillinger

United States · Person · born 1973

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk

21 wikis · Tier 3

Krayzie Bone

United States · Person · born 1973

hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, pop rap, gangsta rap, G-funk, chopper

21 wikis · Tier 3

Lil Scrappy

United States · Person · born 1984

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk, Atlanta hip-hop

21 wikis · Tier 3

Person

Pimp C

United States · Person · born 1973

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, country rap, dirty rap

21 wikis · Tier 3

Prodigy

United States · Person · born 1974

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap

21 wikis · Tier 3

Scarface

United States · Person · born 1970

horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, G-funk

21 wikis · Tier 3

Memphis Bleek

United States · Person · born 1978

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop

20 wikis · Tier 3

Plies

United States · Person · born 1976

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, dirty rap

20 wikis · Tier 3

Slim Thug

United States · Person · born 1980

hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south

20 wikis · Tier 3

Sticky Fingaz

United States · Person · born 1973

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap

20 wikis · Tier 3

Trick Daddy

United States · Person · born 1974

hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty rap

20 wikis · Tier 3

Yo Gotti

United States · Person · born 1981

hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, Memphis rap

20 wikis · Tier 3

Canibus

United States · Person · born 1974

hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop

19 wikis · Tier 3