With Atlanta Out the Way, These Cities Are Aiming to Snatch the Hip-Hop Crown!

Move over Atlanta, there’s new royalty on the block!

Photo: Getty Images Joseph Okpako, Gilbert Flores, and Dave Benett

The ever changing Rap/Hip-Hop crown is now up for grabs after Atlanta seems to have fallen from royalty. Don’t get us wrong, it’s unlikely that Atlanta will ever truly go away, but here’s a list of cities around the world who might be gunning for that number one spot!

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ Stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence Dish on What It Takes to be True Bad Boys

Memphis, Tenn.

Photo: Getty Images Gilbert Flores, Taylor Hill, and Jason Koerner Photo: Getty Images Gilbert Flores, Taylor Hill, and Jason Koerner

Glorilla is on her fourth hottest back-to-back single, and with Yo Gotti and Duke Deuce right behind her… do we even have to say more?

Houston, Tex.

Photo: Getty Images Barry Brecheisen, Rick Kern, and Kevin Mazur Photo: Getty Images Barry Brecheisen, Rick Kern, and Kevin Mazur

The best thing about Houston is the variety of rappers coming out of the Texas city. From Megan Thee Stallion and newcomer Monaleo to Travis Scott, there’s truly something for everyone to love!

Detroit, Mich.

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin and Prince Williams Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin and Prince Williams

If you’re a fan of any popular rap song right now, you just may have Detroit rappers to thank. Babyface Ray alongside Veeze and Skilla Baby are putting on for their city big time!

New York City

Image: Getty Images Joy Malone, Joseph Okpako, @_ferggg_ on IG Image: Getty Images Joy Malone, Joseph Okpako, @_ferggg_ on IG

With the introduction of NYC Drill music, the crown could be coming back to the Big Apple once again.

Jacksonville, Fla.

Photo: Getty Images Prince Williams Photo: Getty Images Prince Williams

The Sunshine State has a lot of potential cities that could claim the throne next. Jacksonville is one of our favorites.

Chicago, Ill.

Photo: Getty Images Prince Williams, Frazer Harrison, and Barry Brecheisen Photo: Getty Images Prince Williams, Frazer Harrison, and Barry Brecheisen

Ever since Chief Keef blew up on the scene at 19 years old, Chicago drill has changed rap as we know it forever. Now, Lil Durk among others are claiming the crown for themselves.

Los Angeles, Cali.

Photo: Getty Images Scott Dudelson, Noam Galai, Gary Miller Photo: Getty Images Scott Dudelson, Noam Galai, Gary Miller

Los Angeles has had its highs and lows when it comes to mainstream Hip-Hop, but with the help of Kendrick Lamar, Blueface, and others, we could be seeing another rise.

London, England

Photo: Getty Images Dave Benett and Harry Durrant Photo: Getty Images Dave Benett and Harry Durrant

Rap as we know it has crossed the globe and reached England. Lil Simz, Central Cee, and Skepta are claiming space in the U.S. genre for themselves, and we are all watching.

Baton Rouge, La.

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin, Marcus Ingram, and Nykieria Chaney Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin, Marcus Ingram, and Nykieria Chaney

People always talk about Lil Wayne from New Orleans, but what about Baton Rouge?? NBA Youngboy took over the scene in 2017, but Boosie Badazz has been putting on for his city way before then.

Philadelphia, Pa.

Photo: Getty Images Todd Owyoung, Scott Dudelson, and Aaron J. Thornton Photo: Getty Images Todd Owyoung, Scott Dudelson, and Aaron J. Thornton

Don’t count Liberty City out! They have some heavy hitting rappers taking over many rap sub-genres. Our favorites are Tierra Whack, who will blow you away with her lyrics, and Lil Uzi Vert, who knows how to hype up any crowd.

The DMV

Photo: Getty Images Astrida Valigorsky, Kayla Oaddams, Foc Kan Photo: Getty Images Astrida Valigorsky, Kayla Oaddams, Foc Kan

Yes, we know the DMV represents a plethora of cities, but at its core, the DMV vibe is a specific sound and twang that we can’t get enough of!

Tallahassee, Fla.

Photo: Getty Images Scott Legato and Prince Williams Photo: Getty Images Scott Legato and Prince Williams

From 18-year-old Luh Tyler to Hip-Hop veteran T-Pain, it’s clear Tallahassee isn’t going anywhere!

Milwaukee, Wis.

Photo: Getty Images Scott Dudelson and Prince Williams Photo: Getty Images Scott Dudelson and Prince Williams

Don’t count the mid west out just yet. The rap scene in Wisconsin has been bubbling for a while, and now, DC the Don and Lakeyah are starting to give the world exactly what they want.

 

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

13 Reasons Why 2026 Is Already A Hot Mess

13 Reasons Why 2026 Is Already A Hot Mess

From U.S. airstrikes and political shakeups to celebrity scandals and AI disrupting jobs, 2026 has already delivered chaos that’s impossible to ignore — and we’ve rounded up 13 of the wildest moments so far …
Exclusive: AG Andrea Campbell, More Black Leaders, Celebs Share Life-Changing Lessons

Exclusive: AG Andrea Campbell, More Black Leaders, Celebs Share Life-Changing Lessons

The Root Exclusive Series: Black History Month was established 100 years ago, in February 1926. To commemorate this momentous occasion, 100 Black thought leaders and creators share their collective wisdom and insight for the culture in this ongoing series …
The Internet is Losing Its Mind Over Oprah's Crop Top and  Fly Looks

The Internet is Losing Its Mind Over Oprah’s Crop Top and Fly Looks

Oprah Winfrey has been spotted with bestie Gayle King at Paris Fashion Week. Now, one red carpet look has the internet talking …
Trayvon Martin and Other Black People Who Were Unjustly Killed in America

Trayvon Martin and Other Black People Who Were Unjustly Killed in America

14 years after Trayvon Martin was killed, these other Black men and women were also murdered in shocking similarity …
Austin Police Release Body Cam Footage of Black Shooter at an Austin Bar

Austin Police Release Body Cam Footage of Black Shooter at an Austin Bar

Austin police are piecing together the motive behind Ndiaga Diagne, the Black man who killed three and injured over a dozen in a March 1 mass shooting …
F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Calls for a Movement to 'Take Africa Back' as He Tries to Bring Racing to the Continent

F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Calls for a Movement to ‘Take Africa Back’ as He Tries to Bring Racing to the Continent

The first and only Black driver in F1 history is empowering the people of the continent to “take Africa back” from European powers …
Jill Scott's Break From Music is Part of a Growing Trend of Black Women Pausing With Purpose

Jill Scott’s Break From Music is Part of a Growing Trend of Black Women Pausing With Purpose

Jill Scott, Beyoncé, Teyana Taylor and Simone Biles are part of a growing wave of Black women who have embraced the idea of stepping back …
Selma Was Not Just History, It Was a Warning

Selma Was Not Just History, It Was a Warning

Opinion: Sixty-one years after “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, we are once again watching the machinery of state violence turn toward Black and Brown communities …
Melyssa Ford Reveals the Unexpected Remedy That Helped Her Cope With Her Mother’s Death

Melyssa Ford Reveals the Unexpected Remedy That Helped Her Cope With Her Mother’s Death

Melyssa Ford is pulling back the curtain on her mental health journey, proving that sometimes, unconventional healing can help with unimaginable grief …
Big News On Sidney Dorsey, The Ex-Georgia Sheriff Convicted of Murder Conspiracy

Big News On Sidney Dorsey, The Ex-Georgia Sheriff Convicted of Murder Conspiracy

Sidney Dorsey died in prison after serving a life sentence for the shocking 2000 political murder after losing his reelection bid …
Eric Benét's Viral New War Protest Song is Exactly What We Needed

Eric Benét’s Viral New War Protest Song is Exactly What We Needed

The “Spend My Life With You” singer gave us a much-needed soulful protest anthem calling out the Trump administration decision to bomb Iran …
This Viral Content Creator is Keeping Our Black Food Traditions Alive - And Looking Great While Doing it!

This Viral Content Creator is Keeping Our Black Food Traditions Alive – And Looking Great While Doing it!

Sonja Norwood (aka Wick’d Creations) has built a massive social media following sharing the Black recipes you won’t find in cookbooks …
Queen Latifah Death Rumor Spurs This Unusual Development

Queen Latifah Death Rumor Spurs This Unusual Development

After a viral rumor spread on Facebook that Queen Latifah was dead, she hopped on Instagram to address her fans’ concerns …
Viral 'Sinners' Test Footage Has Fans Wanting More Behind-the-Scenes Content

Viral ‘Sinners’ Test Footage Has Fans Wanting More Behind-the-Scenes Content

Test footage from the first days of filming “Sinners” has fans wanting more behind-the-scenes content …
Why Stefon Diggs Is Having The Worst Week Ever, Black Twitter Responds

Why Stefon Diggs Is Having The Worst Week Ever, Black Twitter Responds

The NFL veteran wide receiver has been racking a bunch of L’s this week …
Black America Explodes After Trump Fires Kristi Noem

Black America Explodes After Trump Fires Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem spoke in Nashville during a conference right as Trump dropped the bombshell news of her replacement …
Is the Fear of Getting ‘Too Dark’ in the Summer a Personal Choice for Black Folks or Deep-Rooted Colorism?

Is the Fear of Getting ‘Too Dark’ in the Summer a Personal Choice for Black Folks or Deep-Rooted Colorism?

After a tweet calling out Black folks who avoid the summer sun went viral, a debate about loving one’s complexion versus colorism had the timeline on fire …
What Will Happen to Rep. Al Green Now That He Is Forced into a Runoff Against Rep. Christian Menefee?

What Will Happen to Rep. Al Green Now That He Is Forced into a Runoff Against Rep. Christian Menefee?

Rep. Al Green up against Rep. Christian Menefee– the new kid on the block– in the upcoming Texas runoff election …
Teyana Taylor Wants 'One Battle After Another' Sequel, But Fans Aren't Feeling It

Teyana Taylor Wants ‘One Battle After Another’ Sequel, But Fans Aren’t Feeling It

Though Teyana Taylor’s role in ‘One Battle After Another’ earned her an Oscar nomination, it looks like fans aren’t so hyped to see a spinoff of her character …
Black ‘Klan Whisperer’ Has Led Hundreds Away From White Supremacy —And Has the Robes to Prove It

Black ‘Klan Whisperer’ Has Led Hundreds Away From White Supremacy —And Has the Robes to Prove It

Daryl Davis has used open conversation and music to persuade hundreds to leave hate behind, collecting their Klan regalia as symbols of change …