The 10 Best Runs by Rappers of the 2010 - 2020 Era
Image Courtesy Of PLAYDATE MediaDISCLAIMER: This list is subjective by all means but also true; the names unlisted aren’t a result of being undeserving of being included in making this list, but for those who don’t agree, make your own. In the 2010-2020 decade, rap as a genre maintained a dominant run during the musical time period based on impact, influence, and chart performance from the 2010-2020 timespan.
In music, we’ve seen artists go on dominant runs where mainstream and emerging can’t deny the popularity and success that artists have on audiences. Therefore, the names included on this list serve not only as a reminder but also pay homage and recognition to the artists who impacted heavily on the culture of hip-hop that we see in hip-hop today. With that said, rap goats such as Drake, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, etc, will not be on this list.
Overall, the artists listed will be recognized for their contributions and impact that have helped shape the 2010-2020 era in hip-hop as a genre into what it is today and will continue influencing future generations of artists. Without further adieu, let’s get right into it.
Honorable Mention: Montana Of 300 ’14-’16
Photo Courtesy: TSO Music GroupProjects Released This Decade: Cursed With A Blessing, Gunz n Rose, Fire in the Church
Known for being consistent at delivering bangers since his emergence in the rap scene in 2014 with his mixtape, Gunz n Roses. Montana Of 300 gained recognition for his hit song "Cursed with a Blessing" and has since released numerous mixtapes, albums, and remixes, such as his versions of “Try Me,” “Chiraq,” and “Computers” that garnered over 100 million of views accumulated on YouTube making him an undeniable act to ignore. With his unique approach to rap and unapologetic lyrical content, his 2016 project, Fire in the Church, showcased his rapid-fire flow and clever wordplay. Montana’s 14-’16 run has been underrated immensely as he proved to be one of the top independent rappers of the era, paving the way for others to make a name for themselves without backing a significant label.
Rae Sremmurd ’15-’16
Photo Courtesy: Image via Interscope RecordsProjects Released This Decade: Sremmlife, Sremmlife 2
At one point dubbed as a modern-day Kriss Kross, brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi had exceeded their expectations as Rae Sremmurd had not only a younger core audience of hip-hop at the palm of their hands but in a chokehold back in 2015-2016 by becoming one of the most drawing southern hip-hop duo since acts such as UGK, 8Ball & MJG, and Outkast. In 2014-2015, they gifted listeners with hits “No Type,” No Flex Zone,” “This Could Be Us,” “My X,” “Come Get Her,” and “Throw Sum Mo.” The success of the group’s debut album, SremmLife, solidified Rae Sremmurd as one of the hottest acts to be heard, as they quickly became known for their energetic live performances and trending anthems, including their #1 hit “Black Beatles,” being the anthem for the #MannequinChallenge where then, Vine was what TikTok is today. The group made an impact at the height of their success by setting trends and composing charismatic melodies and anthemic records that can’t be skipped.
10. Meek Mill ’11-’14
Photo Courtesy Nate Palmer/Atlantic RecordsProjects Released This Decade: Dreamchasers 1-3, Dreams & Nightmares
Meek Mill has been in the rap game for over a decade; his rise to fame and dominance in the hip-hop scene came in the early 2010s with his aggressive flow, charismatic wordplay, and reflective lyricism through his emotions. His classic Dreamchasers trilogical mixtape series, which gave audiences the legendary Dreamchasers 2 project that garnered over 1.5 million downloads within 6 hours of release and over 2.5 million downloads within 24 hours, is regarded to this day as a certified hood classic. From the success of his mixtape series, the anticipation of his debut album, Dreams and Nightmares, was at an all-time high upon its 2012 release, delivering hits such as “Believe It,” “Young & Gettin' It," and the album’s opening titular track, “Dreams and Nightmares.” Meanwhile, Meek’s run in the 2011-2013 era was evident with his more introspective mixtape, "Dreamchasers 3." The unfortunate end of this run came from facing his controversial Drake beef, legal adversities, and obstacles that damaged his career; however, he remained resilient through his music with successful counterparts, tour runs, and album rollouts, which cemented his place in hip-hop as one of the hottest and most influential rappers of the decade.
9. A Boogie Wit da Hoodie ’16-’18
Photo Courtesy: Jimmy FontaineProjects Released This Decade: TBA, Artist, The Bigger Artist, Hoodie SZN, International Artist, B4 HOODIESZN
The 2016-2017 era can be considered a renaissance of today’s stars in Hip-Hop and the resurgence of New York rap reentering the mainstream scene. In 2016, Desiigner dominated the charts for seventeen weeks in the top ten of the Hot 100 with “Panda,” 2017 saw Cardi B’s takeover begin with her #1 record, “Bodak Yellow,” Dave East proved lyrically that East Coast Hip-Hop was alive and well, and despite the career turn he’s took, 6ix9ine led the forefront of by having hip-hop media’s attention nonstop with his antics and quotes. That said, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie emerged onto the rap scene as rookie of the year in 2016 with his debut mixtape, Artist. Spawning a unique blend of melodic rap that the New York scene hadn’t seen before. Curating a new sound that represented The Bronx’s culture and energy, A Boogie capitalized his place in the rap game with hits like “Jungle,” "My Shit," and "Timeless" that derived from more emotional and vulnerable lyrics resonating with listeners, giving him a distinct voice in the rap landscape. Not only did his success continue in 2017 with the release of his debut album, The Bigger Artist, which blended R&B, drill, and trap music into a cohesive project. He also dominated the charts in 2018 with his album Hoodie SZN, with hit singles like "Drowning," “Startender,” and "Look Back At It." A Boogie's run and rise to fame solidified him as one of the decade's most promising and talented rappers, which is worthy of sharing with those who unfortunately missed the listening experience.
8. Young Thug '16-'19
Photo Courtesy: Harley Weir via Dazed MagazineProjects Released This Decade: I’m Up, Slime Season 3, Jeffery, Young Martha, Hear No Evil, On the Rvn, Beautiful Thugger Girls, So Much Fun, and Super Slimey.
Free Jeffery. Young Thug is one of the most unique and controversial artists to emerge in hip-hop in the past decade. His experimental and boundary-pushing music has earned him a cult following and critical acclaim. In 2016 alone, Thug gifted audiences with I’m Up, Slime Season 3, and Jeffery, which spawned a multitude of hit singles that catapulted him into the hip-hop scene. In 2017, Thug followed the success of his previous work with his commercial mixtape, Beautiful Thugger Girls, which showcased his versatility and genre-bending skills. In 2017, he experimented with country and pop influences and earned his first #1 single featuring Camila Cabello’s “Havana,” as well as his collaborative mixtape with Future titled Super Slimey, which was a commercial success. Continuing In 2018, his collaborative album, Slime Language, with his label, YSL Records, showcased his ability to curate and bring together a new generation of talent with Gunna, Lil Baby, and Lil Keed. In 2019, Thug continued solidifying his place in the hip-hop landscape with the release of his highly acclaimed album, So Much Fun. With hit singles such as “The London” and “Hot,” Thug has proven that he can continue pushing boundaries and shaping hip-hop sound for years to come.
7. YMCMB ’09-’12
Photo Courtesy: Image via Young Money EntertainmentProjects Released This Decade: We Are Young Money, Pink Friday, Thank Me Later, Tha Carter IV, Careless World: Rise of the Last King
The Young Money Cash Money Billionaires (YMCMB) label not only dominated hip-hop in the early 2010s with a roster of talented artists led by founder Lil Wayne ranging from Tyga, Nicki Minaj, and Drake. Aside from the collective, the labelmates had a string of successful albums, mixtapes, records, and collaborations from their artists from 2009 to 2012, including Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj, Careless World: Rise of the Last King by Tyga, Take Care by Drake, and the iconic Tha Carter IV by Lil Wayne. YMCMB became a household act as one of rap's most renowned groups, with a plethora of collaborations and individual achievements. The label's popularity reached new heights with the immense popularity of social media. Aside from solo projects, YMCMB’s notoriety in hip-hop significantly impacted the hip-hop landscape with their collaborations, popularity, and influence. The collective’s most successful album-to-date, We Are Young Money, captured listeners' attention by bringing forth a hip-hop collective in mainstream media that hasn’t been done by acts from before such as Dipset, Disturbing Tha Peace, Maybach Music Group and Ruff Ryders, which then generated an influential wave of labels to release similar projects that we’ve seen today such as Dreamville, CMG the Label, Griselda, Quality Control, and YSL. As a collective, YMCMB's dominance in the genre cannot be undermined, and their influence is still felt in hip-hop today.
6. Mustard ’13-’16
Photo Courtesy: Brandon WadeProjects Released This Decade: Ketchup, 10 Summers, 10 Summers: The Mixtape Vol.1, Cold Summer
Like Pharrell, Mustard can be credited for most radio airplay featuring production from his takeover of hits he produced from 2013-2016. Rejuvenating hip-hop’s hyphy sound, in just 2014 itself, Mustard gave us Ty Dolla $ign's hit "Or Nah," "I Don't Fuck With You" by Big Sean, "Who Do You Love?" by YG, “Don’t Tell Em by Jeremih, and Post To Be” by Omarion. As a certified hitmaker serving numerous chart-topping tracks and producing for some of the biggest names in hip-hop, his distinct "Mustard on the Beat" tag has become a classic signature in hip-hop. Despite never earning a #1 Hot 100 single, the historically dominant run that Mustard’s production had on the charts has yet to be replicated.
5. Travis Scott '16-'19
Photo Courtesy: Daniel SannwaldProjects Released This Decade: Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho, ASTROWORLD, JACKBOYS
Travis Scott's rise to becoming one of the top figures in hip-hop has been steady and monumental, from first recognized as a producer signed to T.I.’s Grand Hustle imprint and Kanye West’s label, Very Good Beats. Scott went from nearly unknown as hip-hop’s black sheep at the beginning of the decade to one of its biggest superstars at the end; Travis Scott’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of legendary. It started in the early years of the decade with his series of mixtapes, leading to his debut album, Rodeo, in 2015 and his follow-up, Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight, in 2016. Ultimately, his third album, ASTROWORLD, was released in 2018, which solidified his status as one of the biggest names in rap and cemented his ability to drop hit after hit. Showcasing his talents with massive hit singles such as "SICKO MODE," “Yosemite,” and "BUTTERFLY EFFECT," ASTROWORLD not only proved Scott’s dominance by marking his spot at the top of the charts but also placed him at the forefront of hip-hop's current sound and style. Travis Scott's dominance in hip-hop will continue to flourish in the years to come, solidifying his position as one of the most influential hip-hop artists of the decade.
4. Chance The Rapper ’13-’16
Photo Courtesy: Keeley ParenteauProjects Released This Decade: Acid Rap, Free (Based Freestyles Mixtape), Coloring Book, Merry Christmas Lil' Mama
Chance The Rapper made his breakthrough debut in the rap world with his 2013 mixtape Acid Rap, which received critical acclaim for its unique blend of soul, jazz, gospel, and rap, creating an unparalleled poetic soundsphere that brought a fresh and uplifting energetic sound to the state of hip-hop. Featuring hits such as “Cocoa Butter Kisses,” “Juice,” and “Favorite Song.” Acid Rap sparked a new direction in music by infusing stylistic sounds that hadn’t been done before, which led to Chance collaborating on hit records with artists such as Kehlani on “The Way,” “Baby Blue” with Action Bronson, and “Confident” with Justin Bieber. Not only did his independent success pave the way for other artists to release music without being tied to a major label, but In 2016, he marked his legacy with the release of his third mixtape, Coloring Book, which earned him three Grammy awards, including Best Rap Album being the first mixtape ever to do so. Chance’s unique sound, infectious energy, and positive messages have solidified him as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. His continued success and impact on the culture make him a rising star, trailblazer, and icon in his own right.
3. A$AP Rocky ’11-’14
Photo Courtesy: John Parra/Getty Images via Hollywood ReporterProjects Released This Decade: LIVE.LOVE.A$AP, LONG.LIVE.A$AP,
Having set trends in art, fashion, TV & film, and music, Harlem’s own A$AP Rocky has been a prominent hip-hop figure for a decade. Still, his reign from 2011 to 2015 was noteworthy after receiving critical acclaim for his debut mixtape LIVE.LOVE.A$AP in 2011. Lord Flacko made a name in hip-hop with his fashion-forward image and distinctive blend of psychedelic and trap sounds, backed by lyrical braggadocios topics about his influential and luxurious lifestyle. The success of his debut mixtape led to his debut album, LONG.LIVE.A$AP in 2013 debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and continued to shine with hit singles like “Goldie,” “F**kin' Problems," and "Wild For The Night." Rocky’s talents not only arose with the success of the A$AP brand and collective A$AP Mob but have also led to collaborations with a multitude of other artists who range in genres, such as Rod Stewart, Frank Ocean, Selena Gomez, and Lana Del Rey. By being at the forefront of the new wave of hip-hop, pushing the boundaries of the genre, and influencing a new generation of artists, A$AP Rocky’s run can’t be ignored based on the variety of different fields and facets that he’s accomplished.
2. Future ’14-’17
Photo Courtesy: Prince Williams/WireimageProjects Released This Decade: Honest, Monster, Beast Mode, 56 Nights, Purple Reign, DS2, What a Time to Be Alive, Super Slimey, Evol, Future, Hndrxx
Despite having a breakout year in 2012 with his debut album Pluto, Future's hip-hop takeover truly began in 2014 with the release of his second studio album, Honest. The album featuring hit tracks like "Move That Dope" and "I Won" solidified Future as a mainstay in the mainstream area. Having released 11 projects in just four years is remarkable and rare to see any artist do while reigning as one of music’s most prolific rappers. To further his impact, he followed it up with a prolific streak of mixtape releases and collaborations, including Monster, Beast Mode, 56 Nights, and What A Time To Be Alive with Drake, which projected him at the top. The genesis of Future dominance on the rap landscape in 2015 came with the release of his third studio album, DS2, which spawned hits "F**k Up Some Commas," "Where Ya At," and “Stick Talk.” Showing 0 signs of slowing down, he continued his epic run by dominating the charts again in 2017 with the release of two more albums, HNDRXX and Future. When it comes to influence, Future is undeniably one of the most impactful artists in this day and age when it comes to influencing the current generation of artists in modern hip-hop. Whether it came from the constant array of projects or memorable moments dubbed “sensational,” his place is set as one of the decade's most successful and influential hip-hop artists.
1. Migos ’13–’15’ & 17–’18
Photo Courtesy: Quality Control RecordsProjects Released ‘13-’15 Decade: Y.R.N. (Young Rich Ni**as), No Label 2, Rich Ni**a Timeline, Yung Rich Nation, Migo Lingo, Still on Lock, Streets on Lock 1-4, Lobby Runners, World War 3D: The Green Album, Currency, Back to the Bando, Rich Shooters
Projects Released ‘17-’18 Decade: Culture, Culture II
First and foremost, rest in peace to Takeoff. It would be a crime only to recognize one of the two historical runs Migos had from ' 13–’15 and ’17–’18. Migos has had two distinct eras of dominance in the decade. First, in 2013-2015, showcasing their signature flow and unique ad-libs made them a staple in hip-hop as they rose to fame with hits like "Versace," “Emmitt Smith,” and "Fight Night." The trio's influence can be seen in the current trap landscape, with many artists citing Migos as a significant inspiration during their era. But it was in 2017 that they indeed took over the rap world with the release of their album Culture. Featuring chart-topping hits "Bad and Boujee" and "T-Shirt," the album heightened their rankings and launched them into mainstream success. They continued their dominance with a slew of hits in 2018, including "Walk It Talk It," “MotorSport,” and "Stir Fry," cementing their place as hip-hop’s most successful group of their era. They have also collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Drake, Katy Perry, Frank Ocean, and Justin Bieber, further cementing their influence and relevance. From there, Migos have solidified their status as hitmakers, consistently releasing chart-topping singles and albums. Their unique trap sound and catchy ad-libs have become synonymous with modern hip-hop, with many artists imitating their style.
