21 Best Virginia Rappers, From Portsmouth & More
It may not have the reputation of New York or California, but Virginia is a bonafide hip-hop hotbed that’s produced artists like Missy Elliott, Pusha T, and many more. Today, we’ll look closely at the best Virginia rappers in this extensive guide.
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Pusha T
While Push was born in the Bronx, he spent his childhood and teen years in Virginia Beach, which helped provide him with the content he speaks about in his raps. In the early 90s, Pusha T formed The Clipse with his brother, Malice, and the duo had several hits before disbanding and pursuing solo careers.
As a solo artist, Pusha T has gone on one of the most prolific runs in rap, releasing classic after classic while also presiding over Kanye West’s GOOD Music imprint. Pusha’s solo career began to take flight in 2013, and he followed up his debut album My Name Is My Name with several classics, including 2022’s It’s Almost Dry.
Lil Tracy
This Jersey-born artist was destined for a career in hip-hop, considering his parents are Ishmael Butler of Digable Planets and Coko from SWV. After a tumultuous childhood, Lil Tracy settled in Virginia Beach, where he came of age before moving to Los Angeles at 18 to pursue a career as an artist.
Lil Tracy has been an influential figure in the Soundcloud scene and a frequent collaborator of rapper Lil Peep. He released several EPs and mixtapes before following those up with three full-length releases, Anarchy, Designer Talk 2, and Saturn Child.
FNF Chop
Richmond’s own FNF Chop is one of the city’s most promising new artists and someone looking to put Virginia on the map with his aggressive flow. While Chop’s first single, Walk Down, was racking up views in 2019, he could not fully capitalize on the success because of a brush-up with the law that left him incarcerated.
After his release from prison, FNF Chop signed with RCA Records. His first album, No Way Out, was released in 2022. With support from a major label, FNF Chop is poised to continue his journey as one of the most prominent up-and-comers in the Richmond hip-hop scene.
Fresh Porter
Hailing from the same city as Trey Songz, this Petersburg, Virginia rapper is looking to become the second artist to put the city on his back. Fresh began rapping in his teen years, and like many rappers, he financed his rap dreams with street dealings. Unfortunately, it caught up with him in the form of a four-year prison sentence.
Since his release, Fresh has wasted no time, collaborating with Pooh Shiesty and other Virginia heavyweights, including Young Crazy and Pusha T. His latest project, Some 2 Trap 2, shows an artist reaching his stride, and fans patiently await a follow-up to his 2022 project.
Flame Blazin
Newport News isn’t known as a hotbed of new hip-hop, but that may change if up-and-coming emcee Flame Blazin has anything to say about it. This young emcee first began rapping around age 16, taking influence from his brother and friends with a small rap crew in the city.
Flame Blazin has built on his buzz with albums No Warning, Enough For Everybody, and No Warning 2. More recently, singles like Opp Flow, How I’m Coming, and Heatin’ Up have continued to feed the streets, and the future appears bright for this Virginia emcee.
Missy Elliott
One of the most iconic artists of the 90s and 00s, Missy Elliott, is undoubtedly one of the best Virginia rappers of all time. Living in Portsmouth, Missy arrived on the scene as a member of several groups, including Sista and Swing Mobb, before staking out on her own.
Missy has several smash hits, including The Rain, Get Ur Freak On, and Work It. Missy has also starred in several films and TV roles, and she’s won four Grammys during her career. She’s also the first female rapper and the third hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Mad Skillz
Mad Skillz arrived on the scene at a time when the idea of hip-hop from Virginia seemed like a pipe dream. His debut album was titled From Where???, which referenced his upbringing in Richmond, Virginia.
While Skillz never achieved much commercial success, he’s well known for his famous “rap up” freestyles, in which he summarizes the year in pop culture. Never far from the hip-hop world, Skillz also often works as an artist-in-residence at the University of Richmond, where he teaches a class on the influence of hip-hop in America.
The Clipse
One of the most iconic groups in Virginia history, The Clipse, along with artists like Missy Elliott, Pharrell Williams, and Timbaland, helped to put VA on the map. The group consisted of brother emcees Pusha T and Malice, and they formed in 1993. The group had trouble gaining traction and was briefly sidelined for a few years while Malice enlisted in the Army.
The group blew up in 2001 on the strength of their single Grindin’ from the Lord Willin’ album. The group followed up with two more successful albums before disbanding to pursue solo ventures. More recently, the group has reunited for appearances on Kanye West’s Jesus Is King album and fashion designer turned DJ Nigo’s album, I Know Nigo.
Atari Blitzkrieg
One of the most lyrically and sonically gifted emcees on the planet, Virginia’s Atari Blitzkrieg grew up experimenting with music from a young age. He first played cello in elementary school, which sparked an interest in musical experimentation. It wasn’t long before he had a turntable, drum machine, and all the trappings necessary to produce hip-hop.
A unique artist, Atari Blitzkrieg is well known for his use of interesting rhythmic cadences and alliteration. He’s undoubtedly one of the most clever emcees in the game, and he should be required listening for all hip-hop fans that are looking for something that’s a departure from the mainstream.
StaySolidRocky
StaySolidRocky relocated from Virginia to Texas as a young child before returning to VA in his teenage years. His mother was a hip-hop performer in her own right, so it makes sense that her son would follow in her footsteps. While in high school, he began freestyling and recording videos for Instagram, which helped him amass a following.
His 2020 single Party Girl was a smash hit, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The debut EP, which featured Party Girl, peaked at number 65 on the US charts, and he followed the success of that release with a new EP, Why So Larceny, in 2022.
Leikeli47
This mysterious female emcee split her time as a child between Brooklyn and Virginia, which helped inform her unique take on hip-hop. She self-released several popular mixtapes before catching the ear of RCA records, who signed her for her breakout album, Acrylic, which came in 2018.
Leikeli47 is somewhat of a mystery to fans, as she carefully conceals her identity in public. Her given name isn’t known, and she wears a bandana or balaclava over her face when performing.
I think I should I should be on the list, I’ve been on the radio here in VA and I’m the best. I’m BIG NATE.