The Greatest Rising Stars of Rap & R&B – Billboard

Cardi B’s meteoric rise from a social media persona, featured on VH1’s Love & Hip-Hop: New York, to at least one of the largest hip-hop stars of the twenty first century may be credited to her unapologetically daring but irresistibly charismatic angle. She’s the feminine rapper with essentially the most Hot 100 No. 1 hits (5) and most RIAA-certified diamond singles (three), whereas her debut album Invasion of Privacy turned the primary rap album by a feminine artist to be nominated for an album of the yr Grammy in 15 years. But though she’s already written new chapters in hip-hop’s historical past, it’s clear she’s simply getting began. By co-signing and collaborating with artists within the early phases of their careers — together with GloRilla, Latto and Rubi Rose — she’s additionally fostering the subsequent technology of rappers to maintain the style’s legacy alive. And there’s no denying followers’ rabid urge for food for her music: Although she hasn’t launched a brand new album since her 2018 debut, Cardi has scored six Hot 100 high 10 hits since then, together with the No. 1s “WAP” and “Up.”  — HERAN MAMO 

After 10 years with ICM as an agent representing R&B/hip-hop artists resembling Kelly Rowland, Kodak Black and Teyana Taylor, Davies segued to Live Nation Urban (LNU) final yr as vp of expertise and reserving. She hit the bottom working, overseeing a 2023 pageant slate that included Washington, D.C.’s Broccoli City Music Festival, Philadelphia’s Roots Picnic, Park Jams (a Central Park live performance with hip-hop legends celebrating Juneteenth) and Mary J. Blige’s second annual Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit. Next up: Atlanta’s ONE Musicfest, whose October lineup options Kendrick Lamar and Megan Thee Stallion. Davies additionally established LNU’s new touring division, scheduling runs for Rema, Ari Lennox, Jill Scott, dvsn and Davido, plus LL COOL J’s first enviornment trek in 30 years. — GAIL MITCHELL 

D’Mile’s pen recreation is unquestionably on level. Between 2021 and 2022; he received an Academy Award alongside H.E.R. for greatest authentic music (“Fight for You” from Judas and the Black Messiah) and likewise turned the primary songwriter in Grammy historical past to win consecutive music of the yr Grammys for H.E.R.’s “I Can’t Breathe” and Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open.” A Grammy nominee once more earlier this yr for producer of the yr, D’Mile — who’s additionally labored with Rihanna, Mary J. Blige and Janet Jackson — has since pivoted into label possession as a co-founder of Good Company Records, a enterprise in partnership with the Disney Music Group and Andscape. Among the partnership’s upcoming tasks: a documentary about rapper Shyne. — G.M.

After a powerful early 2010s run within the first half of his profession, anchored by his Grammy win for greatest rap music for Jay-Z and Kanye West’s 2011 hit “N—-s In Paris,” producer Hit-Boy is at present having fun with his second wind. First, he helped the late Nipsey Hussle win a Grammy for greatest rap efficiency in 2020 when he produced the Roddy Ricch-featured “Racks in the Middle.” Then, after partnering with Nas later that yr to begin their King’s Disease album sequence, he helped the Queens MC land his first-ever golden gramophone for greatest rap album, for the trilogy’s first launch.  — CARL LAMARRE

Undoubtedly the highest visionary rock star of their new rap technology, Lil Uzi Vert’s aptitude and hitmaking prowess give them an edge that many of their friends dream of. Considered one of the forerunners of SoundCloud rap, Uzi topped the Hot 100 as a visitor on Migos’ “Bad and Boujee” in 2017, then spun the hip-hop world round with their melancholy smash “XO Tour Lif3” in 2018. And when Uzi isn’t of their feels (“The Way Life Goes”), they know how one can crank out indelible party-starters (“I Wanna Rock,” “Money Longer”). This summer time, Uzi’s rap/rock/metal-fused Pink Tape turned the primary rap album to assert No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2023. — C.L. 

With his sinister entice Midas contact and memorable taglines (just like the Future-trumpeted, “If Young Metro don’t trust you, I’m gon’ shoot you!”), Metro Boomin has been instrumental in shaping the sound of trendy hip-hop (and pop) music. The 29-year-old producer steadily works with A-list rappers resembling Future, Young Thug, 21 Savage, Travis Scott and Don Toliver. His indelible imprint may be heard on their and others’ massive hits, serving to artists like Migos and The Weeknd rating Hot 100 No. 1s, and touchdown a pair of No. 1 albums of his personal on the Billboard 200 — in addition to this yr’s high five-charting Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack. But it’s clear his star remains to be rising quick, propelling him to superhero standing in his personal proper this yr. — H.M. 

Since securing their first co-writing placement on Rihanna’s platinum-certified “Loveeeeeee Song,” that includes Future in 2012, songwriting/manufacturing duo Brittany “Chi” Coney and Denisia “Blu June” Andrews have steadily risen to go-to standing. The pair counts writing and manufacturing credit for a rising record of stars, together with Ariana Grande, DJ Khaled, Teyana Taylor, Kehlani, H.E.R. and Mary J. Blige. Along the way in which, the duo has picked up three Grammy nominations, together with greatest R&B music for Jazmine Sullivan’s searing hit “Pick Up Your Feelings.” After contributing songs to The Carters’ (Beyoncé and Jay-Z) album Everything Is Love and Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift, Nova Wav reunited with Queen Bey to co-write eight songs for her chart-topping Renaissance album, together with the Grammy-nominated “Cuff It.” — G.M. 

SZA has demanded the world’s consideration during the last decade by means of her left-of-center R&B music, all-too-relatable storytelling and easy attraction – whereas concurrently making historical past as the primary feminine artist signed to Top Dawg Entertainment. Her basic debut album CTRL established the singer-songwriter born Solána Imani Rowe as R&B’s woman subsequent door. But 5 years later, sophomore album SOS cemented her standing as a worldwide famous person, after spending 10 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 … and incomes her first Hot 100 No. 1 with “Kill Bill.” SZA will little doubt proceed charting her personal course inside an trade whose requirements she persistently defies.  — H.M. 

Since her breakthrough hit, 2019’s “Girls Need Love,” Summer Walker has blossomed into one of R&B’s main singer/songwriters. Her dulcet vocals and precocious songwriting potential make her one of one within the style’s panorama, particularly after her acclaimed ‘19 debut album Over It and her Billboard 200-topping sophomore project Still Over It in 2021, Walker’s ceiling is limitless together with her fiery breakup anthems hooking extra followers with each new launch. As Billboard famous final March, “The taciturn Atlanta native communicates the way she knows best: by squeezing every tragedy and triumph into buttery-smooth R&B songs.” — C.L. 

Talent supervisor Ward helped Future benefit from the largest wins of his profession when his ninth studio album, I NEVER LIKED YOU, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2022. The album additionally spawned his first No. 1 on the Hot 100 as a lead artist with “Wait 4 U,” which later netted greatest rap melodic efficiency on the 2023 Grammy Awards. Ward herself stepped to the forefront as chairwoman/CEO of eleventh & Co, the Black women-led administration agency she based earlier this yr. Her consumer roster additionally consists of Gunna — who scored two Hot 100 high 10 hits in consecutive years (2022’s “Pushin P,” 2023’s “Fukumean”) and a second Billboard 200 No. 1 in 2022 with DS4Ever — along with acclaimed rapper Flo Milli and NBA star James Harden. — C.L.