As 2026 begins to unfold, hip hop finds itself at the center of another creative turning point. Fresh voices are rising from every corner of the country and across social platforms, blending styles, breaking formulas, and reshaping the sound in real time. This moment is not about chasing trends or recycling last year’s wave. It is about individuality, risk taking, and artists building worlds that demand attention rather than permission.
From viral standouts shaking the internet to underground heavyweights poised for a major breakthrough, these are the artists setting the pace for what comes next. If you enjoy discovering talent before the wider timeline claims they were there from day one, you are exactly where you should be.
These are the Top 10 Artists to Watch in 2026.
— Jimi Nu
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 4 months, you’ve heard of Jimi Nu. With an undoubtedly comparison to Mystikal, social media has quickly fallen in love with Jimi’s lyrical ability and energetic delivery. Originally from Florida, Jimi Nu has has captivated an audience all over the world with songs like “Versatile” and his current single “@Mystikal1”. These two songs have already gained millions of views on social media, racking up over half a million streams in less than 60 days. Without a doubt, Jimi Nu is the most viral new rap artist and he is an artist you need to watch in 2026! Follow Jimi Nu on Instagram at @therealjiminu .
— AMG Twinz
AMG Twinz are quickly emerging as hip hop’s favorite duo. Already sparking interest with fans all over due to their affiliation with Future’s Free Bandz label. They have set the tone for new rappers coming up. Originally from Charleston, SC and raised in Columbus, GA, their sound resonates throughout the south. They recently dropped their album “Dirty Birds” and some are already labeling it as a “Free Bandz Classic”. With songs like “Juggin Like Scooter” and “Like We Do”, it appears that these twins are headed for greatness. Follow the AMG Twinz on Instagram for more at @amgtwinz.
— Rixh Prez
Detroit is a city known for its swagger and culture. Rap artist Rixh Prez is no different; he’s from the motor city and his style is undeniable. First making his presence felt in early 2025, Prez has been on a roll ever since. His album “Corporate Hustle” stamped Prez amongst fans and his single “Bae” became a viral sensation across social media. Currently Rixh Prez is preparing to release new music while making appearances and performances throughout the country. It’s rumored that he may be in the process of signing with a major label. Follow Rixh Prez on Instagram for more at @1rixh.prez .
— Coogie Boi
In an era where most rappers sound the same, Coogie Boi stands out amongst the competition. With releasing his breakout single “Whole Lotta”, Coogie Boi quickly rose to fame. From gaining millions of views across social media to the song soaring on the iTunes Top 100 (Hip Hop), it’s clear that the people love Coogie Boi! Rite now he’s promoting his current single “Dunks”, a song that speaks about his everyday grind in North Carolina. It appears that Coogie Boi has something special and the fans definitely agree. Follow Coogie Boi on Instagram for more at @the_real_coogie_boi .
— Sexceeani
As the only female artist on this list; it’s safe to say Sexceeani definitely holds it down! Sexceeani emerged onto the music scene in 2024 with her breakout record “Pretty Brown”. This song quickly became a national strip club anthem and a staple in her career. Coming from the great state of Texas, Sexceeani’s stunning look and aggressive flow earned her a cult following. Fans compare her to legendary artists like Lil Kim and Nicki Minaj. Rite now Sexceeani is making her presence felt, from teasing new music to engaging with her fans and even working with legendary producer Mr. Hanky. It’s clear that she has what it takes to be Top 5 female rappers in the game. Follow Sexceeani on Instagram for more at @sex_cee_ani .
— PG Kam
PG Kam is a name that has been highlighted repeatedly throughout 2025. His breakout single “BluPrint” gained immediate attention from music fans everywhere. His unique style and humble approach was the perfect contrast coming into the game as a new artist. His follow up single “Long Time Coming” is his most popular song to date. The song currently has over 100k streams across all platforms, gaining a lot of its popularity on Instagram and Spotify. It will exciting to see Kam soar as a new artist. Follow PG Kam on Instagram for more at @pgkam_ .
— Fokie Dope
Not only a rapper, Fokie Dope does it all! He’s a music producer, songwriter, musician, entrepreneur and a lot more. Originally from Detroit , Fokie Dope got his hunger and hustle directly from the streets. He gained influence in the hip hop community after creating a distinct baseline he’d call “Boom Trap”, a combination of poetics & trap influence. According to Fokie Dope, he aspires to be one of the greats like Jay Z. Currently Fokie is building his community on social media while dropping new music. It appears that he will have a big 2026! Follow Fokie Dope on Instagram at @fokiedope .
— J.E.L.L.I.S
Chicago is a city that has proven to develop legendary artists. From hip hop to jazz, the city is known for its creativity. This is no different when it comes to the artist J.E.L.L.I.S . Originally from the south side, J.E.L.L.I.S has experienced a lot in life and he talks about this freely in his music. His songs have become instant classics for many music fans, especially in the mid west. Fans are even referring to him as “Chicago’s Hope”. Rite now J.E.L.L.I.S is promoting his new single “Thoughts” a song that starts with “I got so many secrets I never told”. It’s clear that J.E.L.L.I.S is on a mission and he’s just getting started. Follow J.E.L.L.I.S for more on Instagram at @j.e.l.l.i.s .
— Will Trappa
Already recognized by XXL as a new artist to watch; Will Trappa is quickly emerging as one of the most interesting new rappers. Originally from Indianapolis, IN; Will Trappa has been making a huge name for himself in the Atlanta area, appearing on popular platforms like Tha Purple Shell, Hip Hop Since 1987 and even getting stamped by Atlanta’s own Ugly Money Niche. Rite now Will is promoting his highly anticipated new single “Play”, a song that is gaining viral momentum across social media. He definitely has the momentum to grow globally in 2026! Follow Will Trappa on Instagram for more at @da_real_will.
— A5 Rell
Although this artist is number 10 on the list, he’s far from last! Originally from Danville, VA; A5 Rell is quickly becoming one of the biggest artists coming out of VA. Rell has captured music fans everywhere with his hard hitting lyrics that come from real life experiences. He talks about, love, loss, loyalty and survival; this authenticity has helped garner a fanbase that have fell in love with his story telling ability. Rite now Rell is preparing to drop new music while continuing to build his fanbase. Follow A5 Rell on Instagram for more at @a5_rell .
