Famous Black Rappers

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 1 
Tupac Shakur
( 100 Greatest Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone)
Tupac Shakur
281
Birthdate: June 16, 1971
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: September 13, 1996

Tupac Amaru Shakur, popularly known as 2Pac or Makaveli, is considered as one of the greatest American rappers of all time. Talent and trouble went hand in hand in Shakur’s journey to fame; the higher Shakur rose in his iconic status, the deeper he became entangled in gang violence and an infamous rivalry, which sadly led to his untimely demise.

 2 
Juice WRLD
(Rapper)
Juice WRLD
282
Birthdate: December 2, 1998
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: December 8, 2019
Rapper Juice Wrld is best remembered for his tracks Lucid Dreams and All Girls Are the Same. He was also part of the collective Internet Money. He died due to a drug-induced seizure at the age of 21. His posthumous album Legends Never Die topped the Billboard 200 chart.
 3 
Drake
(One of the Best-Selling Music Artists With the Most Top 10 Singles on the Billboard Hot 100)
Drake
368
Birthdate: October 24, 1986
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada

Drake soared to fame with his performance as Jimmy Brooks in the series Degrassi: The Next Generation. He then became a rap sensation with his platinum album Thank Me Later and his Grammy-winning quadruple platinum album Take Care. His track In My Feelings went viral with the global Kiki Challenge.

 4 
Nicki Minaj
(Trinidadian-born Hip-Hop Artist)
Nicki Minaj
277
Birthdate: December 8, 1982
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Amongst the most influential female rap artists of all time and one of the bestselling artists, Nicki Minaj came to limelight after her collaborations with Dirty Money Record and Young Money Entertainment. With subsequent release of her four albums, Minaj firmly established herself as a chart-topping artist. The Queen of Rap has also dabbled in acting and ventured into business.

 5 
Eazy-E
(Rapper Known as the 'Godfather of Gangsta Rap')
Eazy-E
134
Birthdate: September 7, 1964
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Compton, California, United States
Died: March 26, 1995

Widely regarded as the godfather of gangsta rap, Eazy-E was a rapper and record producer. He played a major role in popularizing gangsta rap and West Coast rap by forming N.W.A, which is considered one of the most influential and greatest hip hop groups of all time. Eazy-E died at the age of 30 after being diagnosed with AIDS.

 6 
The Notorious B.I.G.
(One of the Greatest Rappers of All Time)
The Notorious B.I.G.
157
Birthdate: May 21, 1972
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: March 9, 1997

The Notorious B.I.G. was a rapper and songwriter and is considered one of the best ever. His debut album Ready to Die in 1994 was critically acclaimed. He was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in September 1996. His album Life After Death was released two weeks after his death. 

 7 
Jay-Z
(One of the Most Influential Hip-Hop Artists in History)
Jay-Z
114
Birthdate: December 4, 1969
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States

Jay-Z is an American rapper and songwriter and is one of the world's best-selling music artists. His debut album Reasonable Doubt was hugely successful in 1996 and since then he has gone on to release many more acclaimed and successful albums. He has been charged with assaulting a record executive and was given a three-year probation sentence in January 2000.

 8 
Lil Uzi Vert
(Rapper Known for His Debut Single "Money Longer")
Lil Uzi Vert
209
Birthdate: July 31, 1995
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Lil Uzi Vert is an American rapper whose music is defined by dark subject matters, which complements his androgynous fashion, eccentric hairstyles, facial piercings, and face tattoos. Lil Uzi Vert has often courted controversy by saying phrases associated with Satanism and adding satanic imagery to his Instagram account. He has also been accused of worshipping Satan.

 9 
Wiz Khalifa
(Singer-Rapper Known for His Songs ‘Black and Yellow’, ‘See You Again’ and ‘Say Yeah’)
Wiz Khalifa
158
Birthdate: September 8, 1987
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Minot, North Dakota, United States
Rapper Wiz Khalifa shot to fame with his Billboard-topping track Black and Yellow. His single See You Again was part of the soundtrack of Furious 7 and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks. The Grammy-nominated artist is a supporter of cannabis usage and a martial arts enthusiast.
 10 
Nas
(One of the Most Influential and Greatest Rappers of All Time)
Nas
112
Birthdate: September 14, 1973
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Crown Heights, New York, United States

Widely considered one of the greatest rappers ever, Nas has seven platinum and multi-platinum albums under his belt in the US. In 2006, he was ranked fifth on MTV's The Greatest MCs of All Time list. In 2012, he was ranked second on the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time list published by The Source. He is also an entrepreneur.

 11 
Kid Cudi
(Rapper who Rose to Fame with His Debut Mixtape 'A Kid Named Cudi')
Kid Cudi
119
Birthdate: January 30, 1984
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Grammy-winning rapper Kid Cudi first came into public consciousness with his mixtape that made Kanye West sign him to his label. Kid delivered a double-platinum debut album, formed the band WZRD, and sold 16 million records in the U.S. He has also dabbled in acting and now owns a label.
 12 
T.I.
(Rapper, Record Producer, and Actor Who is One of the Highest Selling Hip-Hop Artists of All Time)
T.I.
132
Birthdate: September 25, 1980
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Rapper T.I., also known as TIP, is one of the pioneers of trap music. The three-time Grammy-winner owns a music label and has seven “Top 5” Billboard 200 albums. He has starred in his own reality series, has written two novels, and has appeared in films such as Ant-Man.

 13 
André 3000
(Best known for Being One-Half of Southern Hip Hop Duo 'Outkast')
André 3000
104
Birthdate: May 27, 1975
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 14 
Donald Glover
(Rapper & Actor)
Donald Glover
110
Birthdate: September 25, 1983
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: California, United States

The actor, rapper, writer and director, Donald Glover Jr became famous after playing the role of a college student In the sitcom, Community, from 2009 to 2013. He also stars in the FX series Atlanta. He has also acted in a number of commercially successful films. His albums have done well and he won a Grammy award for the single Redbone.

 15 
Pop Smoke
(American rapper closely associated with Brooklyn drill)
Pop Smoke
44
Birthdate: July 20, 1999
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Canarsie, New York, United States
Died: February 19, 2020
 16 
Lil Nas X
(First Gay Artist To Have #1 Record on Billboard Hot 100)
Lil Nas X
301
Birthdate: April 9, 1999
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Lithia Springs, Georgia, United States

Montero Lamar Hill, better known as Lil Nas X, soared to fame with his US Billboard Hot 100 charter country rap track Old Town Road. The gay singer initially became viral for his comedy videos on Facebook and Vine and then soared to fame on Spotify.

 17 
Megan Thee Stallion
(The Second Female Rapper to Win Best New Artist at the Grammy's)
Megan Thee Stallion
204
Birthdate: February 15, 1995
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, United States

An American rapper, singer, and songwriter, Megan Thee Stallion began rapping while she was still in her teens and used digital media platforms to promote her work. Her talent was appreciated by both fans and record labels and she eventually became the first female rapper to be signed by the American record label 300 Entertainment.

 18 
ASAP Rocky
(Member of The Hip-Hop Collective 'A$AP Mob')
ASAP Rocky
99
Birthdate: October 3, 1988
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States
Rapper ASAP Rocky gained fame with his debut mixtape, LiveLoveA$AP. He released two consecutive Billboard 200-topping albums, Long. Live. ASAP and At. Long. Last. A$AP. Fans loved his Grammy-nominated single Fuckin' Problems. He also produces using the pseudonym Lord Flacko and is part of the hip-hop collective A$AP Mob.
 19 
Nipsey Hussle
169
Birthdate: August 15, 1985
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Los Angeles
Died: March 31, 2019

Nipsey Hussle was an American rapper who left behind quite a legacy when he was fatally shot at the age of 33. His death was met with a strong artistic response as more than 50 murals dedicated to him were painted in Los Angeles alone within a few months after his death. As a rapper and activist, Hussle influenced several youngsters.

 20 
Busta Rhymes
(Rapper)
Busta Rhymes
106
Birthdate: May 20, 1972
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: East Flatbush, New York, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 21 
21 Savage
(Rapper)
21 Savage
112
Birthdate: October 22, 1992
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Newham, London, England

An influential rapper, 21 Savage's Guns Down, Paintballs Up movement, which he reportedly started to reduce gun violence, gave rise to many incidents involving paintball guns. Also a philanthropist, Savage created the 21 Savage Bank Account Campaign to help kids learn how to make and save money. In 2018, he donated $10,000 to fund an anti-bullying campaign in school.

 22 
NBA YoungBoy
(Rapper Known for His Albums: 'Until Death Call My Name' and 'Top')
NBA YoungBoy
133
Birthdate: October 20, 1999
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

NBA YoungBoy is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper. He garnered a cult following between 2015 and 2017, during which he released eight successful, independent mixtapes. Rated highly among America's most controversial rappers, NBA YoungBoy has been arrested on a couple of occasions for charges, including attempted first degree murder.

 23 
LL Cool J
(Known for His Album ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ One of the Best Albums of All Time)
LL Cool J
80
Birthdate: January 14, 1968
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bay Shore, New York, United States

LL Cool J is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and record producer. Such is his popularity that LL Cool J was named on VH1's list of 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time in 2010. In 2017, he became the first rapper to be awarded the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. Over the years, Cool J has had a profound influence on hip-hop.

 24 
YNW Melly
(Rapper and Singer Best Known for His Songs ‘Murder on My Mind’ and ‘Mixed Personalities’)
YNW Melly
183
Birthdate: May 1, 1999
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Gifford, Florida, United States

YNW Melly is an American rapper whose song Murder on My Mind became a huge hit, especially after Melly was charged with double-murder. In 2019, he pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting trial. If proven guilty, he could face life imprisonment or even capital punishment. Apart from the double-murder charges, he is a suspect in the 2017 murder of a sheriff's deputy.

 25 
Tyler, The Creator
(Co-Founder of The Alternative Hip Hop Group 'Odd Future')
Tyler, The Creator
104
Birthdate: March 6, 1991
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ladera Heights, California, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 26 
Will Smith
(American Actor and Rapper)
Will Smith
117
Birthdate: September 25, 1968
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

The charismatic, versatile and bankable American artist, Will Smith, tasted early success with rapping. A successful transition into films and television soon followed and made Smith a phenomenal success. With solid earnings, he has also frequently secured himself a place in the list of highest paid actors in world.

 27 
Frank Ocean
(Rapper and Grammy Award Winner for His Album 'Channel Orange')
Frank Ocean
82
Birthdate: October 28, 1987
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Long Beach, California, United States

Regarded as one of the most acclaimed musical artists of his generation, Frank Ocean is recognized for his unconventional production techniques and wide vocal range. He is credited with revitalizing and popularizing jazz and funk-influenced R&B. He is also regarded as a representative of alternative R&B. He was named in Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world list.

 28 
Kodak Black
(American Rapper Known for His Albums: ‘Painting Pictures’, ‘Dying to Live’ and ‘Bill Israel’)
Kodak Black
139
Birthdate: June 11, 1997
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Pompano Beach, Florida, United States

Kodak Black is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper. He gained recognition after releasing hit albums, such as Painting Pictures and Dying to Live. A well-known philanthropist, Kodak Black announced in 2018 that he was in the process of building a school in Haiti. Over the years, he has also donated money for various charitable causes.

 29 
Nick Cannon
(TV Host, Actor and Rapper)
Nick Cannon
174
Birthdate: October 8, 1980
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: San Diego, California, United States

Nicholas Cannon is a comedian, rapper and television host. The Nick Cannon Show, America's Got Talent and The Masked Singer are some of his popular TV shows. He has also acted in films like Drumline, Love Don't Cost a Thing and Roll Bounce. Cannon has been accused of making racist and anti-Semitic remarks. He has called White people ‘savages’.

 30 
Meek Mill
(Rapper Known for His Debut Album 'Dreams & Nightmares' which Peaked at No.2 at The US Billboard 200)
Meek Mill
95
Birthdate: May 6, 1987
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Rapper Meek Mill initially performed with the group The Bloodhoundz. His debut album was featured at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. He has released Billboard-charting tracks such as Amen and Going Bad, both featuring Drake. His brushes with the law inspired the documentary Free Meek.
 31 
Bobby Shmurda
(Rapper and Songwriter Best Known for His Singles: ‘Hot Nigga’, ‘Bobby Bitch’ and ‘No Time for Sleep’)
Bobby Shmurda
92
Birthdate: August 4, 1994
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Miami, Florida, United States

Bobby Shmurda is one of the most popular American rappers to serve a prison sentence. After releasing his debut EP, he was arrested on charges of conspiracy to murder, reckless endangerment, and weapons possession. Initially sentenced to seven years in prison, his term was later reduced to five years. In 2017, he claimed that he was writing music in prison.

 32 
Quavo Marshall
(Rapper Known as The Co-Founder and Current Frontman of Hip Hop Trio 'Migos')
Quavo Marshall
28
Birthdate: April 2, 1991
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Athens, Georgia, United States
 33 
Kiari Cephus
(Rapper and Member of the Hip Hop Trio 'Migos')
Kiari Cephus
83
Birthdate: December 14, 1991
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States
Grammy-nominated artist Kiari Cephus, better known as Offset, is part of the hip-hop group Migos, which has delivered hits such as Versace. He has also invested in the e-sports brand FaZe Clan. Offset has also been in the news for reportedly cheating on his wife Cardi B.
 34 
Lil Yachty
(Rapper and Singer Best Known for His Singles ‘One Night’ and ‘Minnesota’)
Lil Yachty
72
Birthdate: August 23, 1997
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Mableton, Georgia, United States
Lil Yachty, known for his signature red braids, soared to fame when his SoundCloud track One Night went viral through a comedy video. He calls his music bubblegum trap and mumble rap, and uses sounds from animated features such Charlie Brown. He has also modeled for Kanye West's fashion line.
 35 
Kirshnik Ball
(American Rapper and Member of the Hip Hop Group ‘Migos’)
Kirshnik Ball
33
Birthdate: June 18, 1994
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States

Kirshnik Ball, better known by his stage name Takeoff, is an American singer-songwriter and rapper. He is known for forming the hip hop trio Migos along with Offset and Quavo. Over the years, Kirshnik Ball has achieved success as part of the Migos. He stirred controversy in 2017 when he refused to use an overhead storage bin in an airplane.

 36 
Nelly
(Rapper and Singer Known for His Hits: ‘Country Grammar’, ‘Hot in Herre’ and ‘Dilemma’)
Nelly
83
Birthdate: November 2, 1974
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Austin, Texas, United States

Grammy-winning hip-hop/rap artist Nelly began his career with St. Lunatics. He became a household name after the release of his debut solo album, Country Grammar, in 2000. He ranked third on Billboard’s list of the Top Artist of the Decade and has sold 21 million albums in the U.S.

 37 
Kevin Gates
(Rapper and Singer-Songwriter Known for His Album ‘Islah’)
Kevin Gates
100
Birthdate: February 5, 1986
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Kevin Gates is an American singer, rapper, and entrepreneur. He is best known for his debut studio album Islah, which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. Over the years, Kevin Gates has had many brushes with the law. He was first arrested at the age of 13 when he was found inside a stolen vehicle.

 38 
Sean Combs
(Rapper and Record Producer Known for His Albums: ‘No Way Out’ , ‘Forever’ and ‘Press Play’)
Sean Combs
99
Birthdate: November 4, 1969
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States
Three-time Grammy-winning hip-hop legend Sean Combs, known to fans as Puffy, Puff Daddy, or Diddy, started off as a talent director with Uptown and then launched his own record label. His debut album, No Way Out, was certified 7Xplatinum, and his song I'll Be Missing You topped the Billboard charts. 
 39 
Mary J. Blige
(Rapper, and Actress Known as "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul")
Mary J. Blige
40
Birthdate: January 11, 1971
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bronx, New York, United States

Mary J. Blige is a popular singer-songwriter and actress. Having sold 80 million records worldwide, she is one of the best-selling female artists of all time. Referred to as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary is credited with influencing the fusion of R&B and hip hop. She often gets featured in lists like The 100 Greatest Women in Music.

 40 
NLE Choppa
(Rapper Best Known for His Single ‘Shotta Flow’)
NLE Choppa
113
Birthdate: November 1, 2002
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, United States

NLE Choppa is one of the youngest male rappers to make a name for himself in the American rapping scene. Also a well-known Internet personality, NLE Choppa has posted several videos on his YouTube channel Awakened Choppa, inspiring many of his followers to fall back on spirituality and veganism.

 41 
Missy Elliott
(Rapper Known for Singles "Get Ur Freak On," "The Rain," and "Lose Control.")
Missy Elliott
74
Birthdate: July 1, 1971
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Portsmouth, Virginia, United States
Four-time Grammy-winning rapper Missy Elliott, known for her chartbusting tracks such as Get Ur Freak On, was ranked fifth on Billboard’s 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time list. She was initially part of the R&B group Sista and then collaborated with Timbaland in the collective Swing Mob
 42 
Pusha T
(Rapper)
Pusha T
52
Birthdate: May 13, 1977
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 43 
Tay-K 47
(Rapper)
Tay-K 47
56
Birthdate: June 16, 2000
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Long Beach, California
Rapper Tay-K is best known for his Billboard-charting and platinum-certified track The Race. The same day the song was released, U.S. marshals arrested him on murder charges in New Jersey. He was convicted in the case involving the death of Ethan Walker and was later indicted for another murder.
 44 
Coolio
(Rapper Best Known for His Singles ‘Gangsta's Paradise’ and ‘My Soul’)
Coolio
11
Birthdate: August 1, 1963
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Compton, California, U.S.
Died: September 8, 2022
Rapper Coolio soared to fame with his Grammy-winning single Gangsta's Paradise. He continued winning accolades with hits such as C U When U Get There. He later released a cookbook and hosted the culinary show Cookin' with Coolio. He was also part of WC and the Maad Circle.
 45 
Stormzy
(Rapper)
Stormzy
53
Birthdate: July 26, 1993
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Croydon
Rapper and grime artist Stormzy gained fame with his freestyles as "Wicked Skengman." He is known for his chartbusting tracks Shut Up and Vossi Bop, the latter being his first number-one track in the U.K. His debut album became the first grime album to top the UK Albums Chart.
 46 
RZA
(Rapper)
RZA
39
Birthdate: July 5, 1969
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Brownsville, New York, United States
Rapper RZA leads the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and previously performed with Gravediggaz, under the name “The RZArector.” He is also known for his directorial debut, The Man with the Iron Fists; his appearance in films such as American Gangster; and his BAFTA-nominated music in Kill Bill: Volume 1.
 47 
T-Pain
(Rapper who Popularized Auto-Tune pitch Correction Effect)
T-Pain
64
Birthdate: September 30, 1984
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Tallahassee, Florida, United States
Faheem Rasheed Najm, better known as T-Pain, shot to fame with the US Billboard 200-topping album Epiphany. The two-time Grammy-winning artist is known for his signature use of the auto-tune effect. He has delivered hit singles such as I'm on a Boat and has played minor roles in several films.
 48 
Nate Dogg
(Rapper Best Known for His Song ‘Regulate')
Nate Dogg
39
Birthdate: August 19, 1969
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Long Beach, California, United States
Died: March 15, 2011

Nicknamed King of Hooks, American singer and rapper Nate Dogg is best known for his collaborations with other celebrated rappers like Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Dr. Dre.  Equally successful as a solo artist, he had recorded three solo albums as well as a string of singles, concurrently charting 16 times on the Billboard Hot 100 as a featured artist.

 49 
Q-Tip
(Rapper, Record producer)
Q-Tip
24
Birthdate: April 10, 1970
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States
 50 
Polo G
(Rapper and Record Executive Known for His Albums: ‘Die a Legend’, ‘The Goat’ and ‘Hall of Fame’)
Polo G
79
Birthdate: January 6, 1999
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Polo G is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record executive. Polo G, who became famous for his Chicago drill sound, gradually adopted a more melodic style. Renowned for his vivid storytelling, Polo G's lyrics often reflect on subjects, such as mental health and racism. In 2020, he announced the launch of ODA Records, his own record label.