Top 30 Dallas-Fort Worth Rappers Right Now, Ranked

There are hundreds of active hip-hop recording artists in Dallas who probably consider, believe or designate themselves as the hottest — or even best — rappers in the city. That coveted regional title is a subject of constant debate, hinging on ever-changing criteria. Many different variables determine the answer, with the deciding factors boiling down to exceptional lyricism, delivery, performance and overall image. There are also more easily quantifiable metrics to assess an artist's success: social media engagement, streaming numbers, record sales, impressive collaborations and touring power.

In DFW hip-hop, 2024 was a year of surprises. Emerging artists dominated with their new music while established acts returned, eager to reclaim their stature. All the while, BigXThaPlug blew up nationally to be unanimously recognized as the biggest artist in DFW hip-hop. With X on the throne, a ranking of the other 29 artists in the DFW has been compiled.

Right now, BigXThaPlug is the number-one rapper in North Texas, but there are 29 other artists trailing right behind him. For those who didn’t make the list … there is always next year, right?

30. J$ph

The Arlington rap star caught ample attention in 2024 with his relationship-counseling track “Imperfect Luv" and capitalized on the momentum performing at TwoGetherLand. The artist elevated his profile by collaborating with respected rap stars Big K.R.I.T. and Dave East. J$ph's honesty on “Richest Man In Babylon” further intrigued fans: the relatable music makes him an act you can’t help but root for to reach the top.

29. Cuban Doll

Social media maintained Cuban’s popularity even when her music was put on pause. This year she returned to music with three new songs: “The Realest,” “Standing on Business” and “Buban Doll.” According to the numbers on streaming platforms and social media, her appeal continues to grow. Once the local buzz fades, Cuban Doll still has the potential to flourish beyond DFW hip-hop.

28. Gunna Meize

Gunna Meize is known for his unique tone and street-influenced storytelling. He secured a collaboration with Jim Jones and a distribution deal with Empire. The constant comparisons to Mo3 have always been the rapper's Achilles heel, but he manages to remaine a genuine, resilient and consistently high-performing artist. Meize's forthcoming album promises to lay the comparisons to anyone to rest.

27. Headhancho Amir

Headhancho Amir emerged unexpectedly in 2024, making a significant impact with January's release Mr 2700. By the time he released his follow-up, October’s Ain Nun Bigger, Amir had impressed fans with his hustle, larger-than-life image and slick lyricism for months. He got with a tight team in LowDizzle, Yella Beezy’s manager, and went all out. By the end of the year, his team shared videos across socials of the rap star taking meetings and plotting a promising direction for his career.

26. Yung Hood

One-third of the BigXThaPlug’s 6ixers, Yung Hood's affiliation with the group allowed him to surprise hip-hop fans with an undeniably excellent track in “Dirty Dawg.” Listeners will be further impressed with the dastardly rhymes abounding in his catalog, including highlights “3 for 10” and “Ape Shit.” Before he hit the road with X this fall, the artist introduced himself to a nationwide audience with a surprising performance on the Meet The 6ixers album released in May. We're looking forward to what he presents in 2025.

25. Rakim Al-Jabbaar

Rakim Al-Jabbaar is one of the most lyrically gifted artists DFW has ever produced. In 2024, he applied that talent with consistency. His conscious-meets-hustle style garnered respect from a cult-like fanbase and earned him a distribution deal. His growth is undeniable, but he needs the marketing, music, distribution and branding to align. Think of Common, Atmosphere, Ab-Soul: finding success as a conscious rapper has always been difficult, but once it arrives, it’s eternal.

24. S3nsi Molly

By reputation alone, S3nsi Molly is one of the most popular artists in North Texas. Fans are addicted to her free spirit and charismatic rhyming style. The artist seems eager to return to the top, though her journey is just beginning and her impact is already being felt. Molly has a distinctive style similar to Chief Keef, Rico Nasty and Sexyy Red. In 2024, she released her fourth album, The Last Laugh. Fans love her vocals, as they often express across social media. 

23. Dorrough Music

Combining his previous success with new music, Dorrough remains an attraction. The city’s major sports teams partner with him for their anthems, and he's never altered his music to satisfy the preferences of new fans. With a career that spans 15 years, he continues to draw attention with over 938,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Dorrough released five new songs in 2024 that acknowledged his longevity.

22. Tye Harris

Indisputably one of the most talented North Texas rappers, Harris contributed to Mo3’s posthumous album, Legendz, reigniting his popularity in 2024. From Snoop Dogg to Kaash Paige, he has been described as a one-of-a-kind artist. His live performances are exhilarating and he's a standout on any song through his charisma and energy. Harris has proven himself on every occasion, and with the resources to gain a broader audience he will no doubt become a superstar.

21. Roadrun CMoe

Roadrun CMoe had a productive 2024 when he toured with BashForTheWorld and released multiple albums, including Sorry I Was Roadrunnin' and Texas Roadrunnin' Massacre. Meanwhile, his clothing brand, RRW, almost outshined the music. With bigger features, CMoe's impressive, braggadocious raps would catapult him even higher. We won't be surprised to see him headlining a nationwide tour sometime soon; he is just one hit away from superstardom, a status he's been close to achieving since 2022.

20. SouthDallas Keke

SouthDallas Keke experienced a moment in 2024 thanks to her freestyles and hit single “You Ain’t Like That.” She also received Mo3 comparisons, which generated much attention for the artist, who solidified herself  in the hip-hop scene with provocative but fun-filled lyrics. Her rise was exciting to watch and we look forward to witnessing more of her story unfold. Even ChatGPT identifies her as one of the hottest artists in the DFW when you ask it. Seriously.

19. Kaash Paige

The past year was a transitional period for Kaash: She released Catch Me While I Care, her fourth album, which reminded fans of her greatness with tracks such as “Superstar” and “Waterfalls.” Her lack of promotion and other issues affected her return to the top. The music remains fresh, however. With the perfect partnership, she's poised to achieve the success she truly deserves. Her successful hits have solidified her as a sought-after talent at festivals, and in February she will perform at the Souled Out Festival in Australia.

18. xBValentine

XBValentine has an exceptional manager in Lorenzo “SmoothVega” Zenteno, who pairs her impressive rhymes with big brand opportunities, earning the artist widespread exposure. In 2024, she showcased her versatility across various genres and continued to demonstrate immense talent through her subject matter, experimentation with new sounds and artistic vulnerability. The rapper's soft appeal is balanced by hard-hitting punchlines. She has been championed loudly and proudly by her fans throughout her journey. With SmoothVega by her side, the next album is expected to be the explosive release they have been eagerly anticipating.

17. MurdaGang PB

This artist is arguably the best rap star Fort Worth has ever produced. His transition from the streets to music hasn’t been easy, especially with a fanbase that craves original hardcore street music that can only be matched with street activities. Murdagang PB has experimented with new concepts and subjects in 2024, with sprinkles of his familiar raps. He will flourish once he and his fans reach a compromise. PB toured with BigXThaPlug at the end of the year, providing an opportunity to introduce his music to potential fans outside the region.

16. Asian Doll

Asian Doll’s attention-grabbing moments, such as feuds with other female rappers and aggressive insults, have kept her in the headlines instead of her music. However, the attention from her social media activity makes her an anomaly. Her latest album, Da Hardest Doll, was released on Dec. 4 and couldn’t garner the same attention as the gossip that surrounds her, although it was her best music yet. When the demand for her music matches her popularity again, she'll no doubt return to the top 10.

15. Go Yayo

To be incarcerated for years and maintain popularity as one of the hottest in Fort Worth, exactly like Go Yayo did, speaks volumes about his catalog. Arguably the biggest Fort Worth artist ever based on his classics, he returned to music in 2024. But his popularity would be affected by his focus on things outside of music. His social media presence outshined the music this year, but Go Yayo balanced the two while touring with Soulja Boy over the summer.

14. Grind2Hard Osh’a

He doen't get the attention he deserves, but Grind2Hard is a buzz-worthy act with a prominent fanbase. The rapper released the featureless album Method 2 Da Madness in March. The witty “Nowhere 2 Run” is the budding star’s defining hit, though other highlights from the new album are the hard-hitting singles “Blaze of Glory,” “Ain’t My Fault" and “Not Immortal.” Through his word-of-mouth campaigns on YouTube and Spotify, he has over 300,000 subscribers and over 100,000 monthly listeners. It's no secret that music executives are keeping an eye on him right now as his numbers continue to climb.

13. Ro$ama

If BigXThaPlug is Luka, then Ro$ama is Kyrie. If BigXThaPlug is Dak Prescott, Ro$ama is CeeDee Lamb. He doesn’t possess the same star power as the Plug, but exhibits the potential to become equal or even bigger thanks to his irresistible wordplay. On Meet The 6ixers, Ro created a lyrical highlight reel on “Hell Ya,” “Baccstreet” and “The Finals” that he capitalized on with his new solo track “Keep It 600.” With X passing him opportunities such as movie soundtracks, his music continues to be exposed to the nation via touring. With a support system like X receives from UnitedMaster, Ro$ama could be the hottest DFW artist in 2025.

12. Trapboy Freddy

Trap is — and forever will be — one of the definitive faces of Dallas hip-hop, but serving time on multiple occasions would roadblock his momentum for the majority of 2024. In November 2023, the rapper was sentenced to 16 months for gun trafficking charges. Freddy’s cemented classics and previously released albums All Odds Against Me and Detained kept him proactive, but lacked his signature energy. Upon his return in September, his new music quickly returned him to big stages while garnering respect in a new era of DFW hip-hop. Expect him to  make a massive return in 2025, hopefully with his troubles behind him.

11. Steppa

Steppa raised hell in 2024 with his latest hits: “Glassman,” “Josh Giddey” and “Jalen Brunson.” He released the album Not Ya Regular Rapper in July to rave reviews on social media. Major record labels are salivating to grab the rebellious cash cow for their roster. His forthcoming album, currently untitled, is just as highly anticipated by fans.

10. Lil 2z

Lil 2z is the most talked-about Dallas rapper on social media. He released his biggest song yet in “Wishin On A 2,” which has accumulated over 6,000,000 views on YouTube alone. The mystique surrounding the artist is an added attraction to his image. Fans praise his hitmaking abilities and defend him from all online hate. The rapper put out two albums in 2024 with the latest, Father 2, released in December. Averaging over 800,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, he is clearly on the verge of becoming DFW’s next big rap star.

9. Erica Banks

Banks is known as a rhymeslayer, but her music was overshadowed by some backlash in 2024 over her comments that she brings only hot friends to the club. Her new album, Cocky on Purpose 2, returned her to the “Buss It” days. Supported by a tour, the new album was the unapologetic reset she needed. Through the twists and turns of her journey, Banks has evolved into a sound that promises to thrill in 2025.

8. Honie Gold

She has gone viral before, but the new season of Rhythm + Flow skyrocketed Honie Gold to the top 10. She was a finalist in the new season, and the world loved her clever approach to showcasing herself and the Dallas community. By disproving any misconceptions about Texas rappers, Gold empowered others. Her superstar potential has been proven

7. Lil CJ Kasino

They say all publicity is good publicity, and Lil CJ has skillfully balanced both beef and viral moments with undeniably great music. Whether he's responding to a diss track or addressing an incident, he consistently floods fans with new music. His menacing smile adds a dramatic effect to his impressive wordplay. The artist released five new songs in one month, all with visuals, and his persistence is commendable.

6. Montana 700

The year 2023 made him a top prospect among the new artists. In 2024, the self-proclaimed Last Don shattered all expectations, dropping several massive hit songs with “Pipeline,” “Doin Numbers” and “Back Door.” He collaborated with fellow new artist Zillionaire Doe to release a joint album, 70042, which received critical acclaim throughout the South. 700 headlined a concert alongside superstars Jeezy and DaBaby and signed a deal with 300 Entertainment in August. Now with a label that turned regional acts Young Thug and Migos into superstars, 700 looks to have a blindingly bright future.

5. Zillionaire Doe

Zillionaire Doe was one of the most sought-after new artists in 2024. Alongside his collaboration with Montana 700, he captivated audiences with a compelling street narrative in “Cbfw” and “Trap Motivation,” showcasing his unique talent and storytelling prowess. As one of the most requested rap stars in the South, Zillionaire Doe is undeniably the hottest new act in Dallas hip-hop, whether you acknowledge it or not.

4. Tay Money

From “Trappers Delight” to “Bussin” to “The Assignment” to her latest “H.E.R.,” Tay Money has been an unstoppable force in DFW for years. Collaborating with the biggest names while receiving endorsements by megastars alongside her hive-like fanbase made her an immovable target in the focus of the biggest stars in Dallas hip-hop. She maintained her popularity in 2024 through her consistency. After filling out the year with buzzworthy songs “Tequila,” “Donk 2.0” and “WYA,” Tay closed the year with a new EP in Like A Boss, featuring OG Ron C.

3. Yella Beezy

Yella Beezy has already established a legacy as one of the greatest DFW rappers with hits "That’s on Me," "Bacc At It Again" and "Up One." However, his legacy could be tarnished if his music continues to be overshadowed by chaos. Just this year, the rapper was sued along with Chris Brown over an alleged assult backstage at the latter's concert at Dickies Arena, and his legal issue have noticeably hindered his return to greatness. Beezy's new music delivers his signature sound but hasn’t gotten him to reconnect to the charts — though enlisting Lil Wayne to executive produce his long-awaited album and feature on the lead single, “Hit,” is promising. Everyone else on this list is chasing past success, but only two acts could legitimately move this Bad Azz Yella Boy to third.

2. BashForTheWorld

He is one of the two North Texas artists in 2024 to embark on a nationwide tour with his popular album Mundo. Bash dominated the year with his own lingo, swagger and arguably the best hip-hop album of the year. It's impossible to find anyone like him, from his name to his image to his showmanship. Live Nation partnered with the artist on two tours, which he shared with other local artists. And he continues doing it all his way.

1. BigXThaPlug

The stars have aligned for the hitmaker as his magnetic music took over nationwide in 2024. The rapper received endorsements from big celebrities, including Kevin Hart. BigXThaPlug went country, collaborating with Shaboozey and earning the coveted XXL Freshman Class cover while supplying music on more blockbuster movie soundtracks. He released a top-selling album in Take Care, supported by a nationwide tour, and released a must-hear group album in Meet The 6ixers. By his side, the artist has Steve Stoute, UnitedMaster CEO and branding genius, who has secured brand deals for Jay-Z, 50 Cent and Nas. He landed a big campaign in Prize Pick. What more can we say?