The world’s biggest hip-hop festival is back and ready to make noise. The Hollywood Park Grounds in Inglewood will soon be the stomping grounds for huge acts like Nicki Minaj, Post Malone, Future, and Metro Boomin. But aside from the household names, there are tons of artists coming out of the woodwork for this show. To spotlight some of the artistry that contributes to the global sound of hip hop, here are some rappers to look out for during the festival.
BLP Kosher
Skateboarder turned rapper BLP Kosher is shouldering forward a storied history of South Florida trap music dotted by characters like Kodak Black and Rick Ross. Not only easily distinguishable by his haircut, two wicks of hair sticking out horizontally from his head, but his bars too, BLP Kosher has taken the rap world by storm. Embracing his own identity in his music in songs like “Jew On The Canoe”, “Hanukkahween”, and “Nightmare on Shabbat”, his creativity in conjuring double entendres and wordplay seemingly knows no bounds. Just take a look for yourself.
“They thought I was a con, made it out the sewer, I’m a connoisseur.”
“I ain’t Irish but my money Dublin, grab a Shamrock.”
“Opp kebab, I introduce the stick and put them on a skewer.”
“Opp ‘gar, that’s a lick, taste like naan bread.”
And this is all just part of one verse.
Make sure to check out his performance at Rolling Loud! Here are some tracks to check out: “Mazel Tron”, “Special K”, “The Nac 3”.
JELEEL!
JELEEL! can’t be stuffed in a box, and that’s clear from his music. Blowing up on social media in 2021 for his explosive back flips while performing his anthem “DIVE IN!”. Seemingly tapping into an endless reserve of energy, JELEEL! creates music transcending genre, instead seeking to curate a single sound: hype. With elements of hip hop, punk, and even hyperpop, JELEEL! is redefining what hip hop and rap should sound like. Focusing on the rebellious elements of hip hop, JELEEL! brings life to a young sound. His performance at Rolling Loud is bound to be pumping with rage and chaos. Check out some of these tracks: “SHOTS!”, “FAST CAR!”, “I LOOK GOOD!”.
Jordan Ward
Jordan Ward has spent years as a backup dancer for Justin Beiber and Becky G – and it shows in his music. Having a dance-centered tone in much of his discography, the St. Louis native has gotten his flowers from multiple big names in the industry including Tyler, the Creator, JID, and Smino. Celebrating both modern R&B and old-school dance and funk, Jordan Ward’s take on hip hop is infectious. His 2023 album, FORWARD, brought him into the spotlight, allowing him to flex his melodic songwriting on his own NPR Tiny Desk. You’ll regret missing him at Rolling Loud! If you want to hear some of his contagious grooves, give these tracks a listen: “FAMJAM4000”, “WHITE CROCS”, “Okok (Hibachi)”.
Eddy Baker
Cut from the same cloth as fellow, well-known, ex-Raider Klan members Bones and Xavier Wulf, Eddy Baker is a pioneer in internet-based emo trap music. Eddy Baker is not afraid of experimentation with an eclectic take on hip-hop, boasting a discography synthesizing elements of country and psychedelia with Memphis trap, horrorcore, and even lyrical-leaning rap. Regardless of what influences he treads on, he always pays homage to his roots as a Southern California native, drawing from West Coast hip hop trends of g-funk. It’s hard to describe Eddy Baker’s music succinctly, but he’s been making a mark on the hip hop landscape for over a decade and it’s time to give him his flowers. For those who enjoy the nihilism of early SoundCloud trap, give Eddy Baker a listen at Rolling Loud. Here are some tracks to introduce you to the underground rap titan: “YellowStone”, “80sMontage”, “LooseScrew”.
Osamason
The 20-year-old rage hip-hop phenomenon Osamason is going viral with tracks like “X & Sex” and “All Star” blowing up on Soundcloud. But Osamason has a unique take on the Opium label driven formula, with a flow more similar to pop-rap artists like those in the Internet Money collective. The rage sound is becoming increasingly popular as seen by the meteoric rise of Playboi Carti. Throwing in another artist in the mix might seem oversaturated, but Osamason adds something new. His bubbly personality also embraces the silliness rather than the mysterious, a breath of fresh air in the space. Here are some tracks to bump at full volume in the car: “Wekin’”, “Trenches”, “Cartel”.
Rich Amiri
Rich Amiri is best known for “ONE CALL”, a high-powered banger reminiscent of Future’s DS2 tracks. Rich Amiri takes advantage of catchy and melodic trap bars, laying them over industrial, Opium-adjacent beats to create a unique sound bound to blow up on the Internet. To date, “ONE CALL” peaked at number 60 on the Billboard Top 100. But Rich Amiri isn’t just a one-trick pony – a lot of his music has embraced a dynamic fusion of hip-hop sounds. As an artist, he’s been endorsed by Lil Tecca, collaborating on tracks and performing together on tour. If you’re looking for an artist on the verge of blowing up, look no further than Rich Amiri. Here are some tracks by the young star to check out: “OUTTA THERE”, “ruthless”, “CODEINE CRAZY”.
Lay Bankz
With an eccentric repertoire of music inspired by artists like dance and R&B artists like Michael Jackson and Beyonce, Lay Bankz doesn’t hesitate to experiment with different sounds. The 19-year-old takes advantage of catchy hooks and embraces the global Gen Z personality of pettiness, making music blowing up all over TikTok. With danceable beats, rapping, and singing, Lay Bankz seemingly does it all. Tracks like “Ick” embody a part of female rebellion often left out of hip hop spaces. To see more of her creativity, check out these tracks: “Na Na Na”, “Tell Ur Girlfriend”, “”Girls Just Wanna”.
These artists are just a small sample of the extravagant performances set to take the stage in Hollywood Park. Keep an eye out for more UCLA Radio content on Rolling Loud 2024! Maybe we’ll see you there.
