While the world is more connected than its ever been, regional successes and sounds are still as prevalent as ever in rap. Kevin Gates is selling upwards of 100k first week through his loyal support in the South, while Atlanta, the Bay Area, Chicago and the like have maintained distinct sounds within their respective scenes.
Getting a single buzzing in your area is often the first step in earning a national hit, so we've decided to look at a few of the rappers who have been gaining momentum in their areas.
Each entry will highlight three or four rappers who have caught some attention in their region, which will not always be restricted to the U.S., or even North America. Click through to the galleries to see the first batch of artists we've put together.
Famous Dex
Chicago: Famous Dex
Famous Dex seems like the logical progression of Chicago's drill movement, a student of Keef, but also very influenced by post-Gucci Atlanta, to the point that his biggest single, "2 Times," is a direct reference to Guwop. Always rocking bright colors from his hair to his shoes, Dex's lanky, eccentric look is reminiscent of Young Thug and buzzing Tumblr rapper Lil Yachty, giving him an outsider appeal that's still very approachable (it's worth noting he wears Odd Future merch proudly). With that being said, his music is more direct than the work of his peers, built off of energy and an infectious likability, and can be digested independently from his aesthetic.
He's recently been spotted in the studio with Chance The Rapper, who could be enough of a co-sign to take him from YouTube star to blog darling. Until then, he'll be steadily releasing a video a week to keep his buzz going organically -- an approach some of Chicago's greatest talents have gone back to after dalliances with major labels didn't pay off. Can Dex potentially break the mold?
Cash Kidd
Detroit: Cash Kidd
On first listen, you might assume Cash Kidd was from the Bay Area, but the Detroit rapper isn't the first artist from his city to look towards other regions for inspiration. Doughboyz Cashout have been channeling the spirit of 90s Cash Money for years, and DeJ Loaf's "Try Me" popped in the Bay before going worldwide, so it's safe to say Michigan has been successfully merging sounds for some time now.
Kidd's biggest single thus far, "On My Mama," which definitely has a hint of Too Short in it, dropped in 2014, and has since accumulated over 3 million views on YouTube. He raps with just enough emotional urgency and technical force not to sacrifice any style, making him both very charismatic and immediately impressive. Paired with the excellent eye of local videographer, Jerry Production (who's worked with Big Quis, Dej Loaf, and more), it's no mystery he's caught a lot of traffic on the visual.
While he hasn't released anything that's reached the popularity of "On My Mama" since, Kidd has a kept up a loyal following, steadily earning impressive numbers on his videos. At this point, he could be one more big song away from breaking through on a national level -- if not, he's got potential to be a long-running hometown hero.
Mozzy
Sacramento: Mozzy
You may have heard Sacramento's most known unknown rapper on YG's recent track, "City Mad," or perhaps, on Nef The Pharaoh's Neffy Got Wings highlight, "Devils Team," but Mozzy has been building something special of his own, and has been at it for at least five years, delivering his best and most recognized work in 2015 with Gangland Landscape, Blahdahdah and Yellow Tape Activities, all of which were given independent retail releases.
Mozzy's potent story-telling is not for the faint of heart. At times it's as violent and bleak as it gets, but his captivating way with words is the driving force of his songs, particularly, "Bladdahadah," still his most successful song to date, with Mozzy delivering a performance that deserves nothing less than 100% attention, colored by sentimental keys that inspire chills.
Mozzy doesn't have clear hit potential or the possibility to be picked up on Vine, but his strong writing and work ethic should eventually earn him a larger audience, he's just going to have to do it the old-fashioned way, and so far, that approach is working.