Coming into 2023 with a little buzz, Teezo Touchdown became a household name after this breakout year. With feature placements from the likes of Drake and Travis Scott, in addition to praise from André 3000, Teezo has been unstoppable. To top it all off, he dropped a debut album worthy of all the talk.
If You're New to this Artist:
Listen to the album “How Do You Sleep At Night?”
Listen: Teezo Touchdown
While Cole didn’t drop an album this year, his presence was felt. Guest featuring on several artist’s albums, Cole’s pen game remains top notch as he dominated every verse. 2024 looks promising for a classic release from one of the game’s best rappers.
If You're New to this Artist:
Listen to the album “2014 Forest Hills Drive”
Listen: J. Cole
Finally dropping her long awaited debut album, PinkPantheress defied already lofty expectations. By continuing to evolve her unique sound without making compromises, PinkPantheress holds the secrets to a musical recipe that many will likely try to mimic, but will be sure to fall short.
If You're New to this Artist:
Listen to the album “Heaven Knows”
Listen: PinkPantheress
MIKE has been on a hot streak of releases for years and 2023 has only been an acceleration. With a collaboration album with Wiki & The Alchemist, and arguably his strongest solo release to date (“Burning Desire”), MIKE’s growth has been a sight to behold. He is currently on tour with Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist before embarking on his own headlining world tour in 2024.
If You're New to this Artist:
Listen to the album “Burning Desire”
Listen: MIKE
Entering a new evolution in his sound, Lil Yachty raised eyebrows with his psychedelic album “Let’s Start Here.” The album has its moments and is a worthy sonic detour, but it’s the plethora of rap singles that have been released since that album that highlight Yachty in a different bag.
If You're New to this Artist:
Listen to the song “Strike (Holster)”
Listen: Lil Yachty
One of the hardest working and most talented producers of all time, The Alchemist maintains his prolific longevity in the game. As if dropping albums with Larry June, MIKE & Wiki, and Earl Sweatshirt wasn’t enough, he also got song placements with Travis Scott and Drake.
If You're New to this Artist:
Listen to the album “VOIR DIRE”
Listen: The Alchemist
As if dropping twice last year wasn’t enough, Drizzy returned with a new full length album “For All the Dogs.” With the J. Cole assisted single “First Person Shooter,” Drake now ties Michael Jackson for the most #1 hits of all time (this excludes his uncredited appearance on Travis Scott’s “SICKO MODE”). It’s special to be living in the timeline of Drake.
If You're New to this Artist:
Listen to the album “Nothing Was the Same”
Listen: Drake
It was impossible to go through 2023 without hearing the waves Ice Spice was making. From the heart of the Bronx, Ice Spice is the current Queen of New York. This year she dropped an EP with her viral hits and also made guest appearances with the likes of Taylor Swift & PinkPantheress.
If You're New to this Artist:
Listen to the EP “Like.. ?”
Listen: Ice Spice
Two years in a row, billy woods somehow drops two masterpieces (one of which as part of the duo Armand Hammer) that cover very different, conceptual topics. woods continues his unfathomable streak, cementing himself as one of the best rappers of all time.
If You're New to this Artist:
Listen to the album “Maps”
Listen: billy woods
Although Taylor Swift didn’t drop a new album this year, she dominated the charts with multiple releases of her “Taylor’s Version” albums. In addition to her record breaking sales, she embarked on her “Eras World Tour” that had the world in a frenzy for tickets. Swift is the biggest artist in America and it’s not even close.
If You're New to this Artist:
Listen to the album “Folklore”
Listen: Taylor Swift
