Top 5 Chicago Rappers
Chicago’s hip-hop scene is renowned for its superstars, but beyond the likes of Kanye West or Chief Keef lies a thriving underground. The city’s underground rap fans know that the Windy City fosters a diverse range of talent—artists who may not dominate the radio but are pushing creative boundaries. Here we highlight five current Chicago rappers who embody the city’s vibrant rap scene while staying just under the mainstream radar. Each artist brings a unique style, a strong connection to Chicago, and must-hear tracks that showcase why they’re the top picks for true hip-hop heads.
1. Saba – Soulful Storytelling from the West Side
Saba has emerged as one of independent rap’s brightest rising stars out of Chicago. Hailing from the West Side (the Austin neighborhood), he co-founded the Pivot Gang collective and built a reputation through introspective storytelling. Saba’s breakout Bucket List Project and emotional opus CARE FOR ME delved into personal loss and resilience, garnering critical acclaim. His latest album Few Good Things showcases a creative leap with a warm, reflective tone and collaborations that broaden his sound. From soulful tracks like “Busy / Sirens” to the upbeat “Fearmonger,” Saba’s music paints honest portraits of Chicago life.
Recommended listen: CARE FOR ME for its heartfelt tribute to lost loved ones and Few Good Things for a celebratory vibe of growth.
2. Noname – Poetic Activism on the Mic
A proud product of Chicago’s open-mic poetry scene, Noname blends spoken-word artistry with laid-back jazz rap. Her music is often described as a love letter to her Chicago roots, filled with Black pride and the struggle for liberation. Noname’s debut mixtape Telefone introduced her playfully effortless style with tales of youthful nostalgia and pain over sunny soundscapes. She followed up with Room 25, pushing bolder themes of identity and womanhood, all while maintaining intimate, mellow flows. After a brief hiatus to focus on her Noname Book Club and community work, she returned with Sundial, a self-released album that cracks jokes and asks hard questions in equal measure.
Recommended listen: “Diddy Bop” for a dose of nostalgia, and Sundial for Noname’s latest evolutionary chapter.
3. Mick Jenkins – Meticulous Wordplay over Jazz-Infused Beats
Mick Jenkins channels the stress and complexity of life as a Black man in America into waves of jazzy, conceptual hip-hop. Raised on Chicago’s South Side, he first made a splash during the city’s mixtape renaissance with The Water[s]—a project that turned the phrase “Drink More Water” into a local mantra. Known for dizzying, meticulous wordplay that rewards multiple listens, Mick often uses high-concept themes: love on The Healing Component, personal growth on Pieces of a Man, and vulnerability on Elephant in the Room. His recent album The Patience finds the lyrical craftsman loosening the conceptual reins while still pulling from the soul of jazz in his sound.
Recommended listen: The Water[s] for classic underground hits like “Martyrs,” and The Patience to hear his latest evolution.
4. Lucki – The Underground Hero of Hypnotic Trap
Lucki has cultivated a cult following with his hazy, introspective brand of trap music since his teens. Coming up on Chicago’s West Side, Lucki (f.k.a. Lucki Eck$) gained attention with his mixtape Alternative Trap, pioneering a moody, lo-fi sound. His music is marked by off-the-cuff honesty — he openly raps about depression, addiction, and heartache, creating a bond with fans through this raw transparency. Over the years, Lucki stayed consistent in the underground, and that refined talent is now bubbling to the surface. His album Flawless Like Me became a breakthrough moment, cracking the charts and elevating his profile. Despite this success, he remains the underground king for many, staying true to his hypnotic, laid-back flow and dreamy beats.
Recommended listen: Flawless Like Me for his latest and most polished work, and the Days B4 series to experience his emotional depth.
5. Joey Purp – Versatile Lyricist Keeping Chicago’s Spirit Alive
As a core member of the SaveMoney crew (alongside Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa), Joey Purp carries the Windy City’s creative spirit on his back. He’s established his own identity as an MC who can quickly shift styles – his lyrics can be playful and fun, but also sharp and aggressive when the moment calls for it. You can hear that range in his music: one minute he’s got a crowd jumping to the carefree “Girls @” (with Chance) and the next he’s spitting gritty street wisdom on “Cornerstore.” Purp’s affinity for soulful samples and Chicago house grooves gives his tracks a nostalgic flair, all while he pushes forward with fresh flows. His debut album QUARTERTHING was heralded as one of the year’s best hip-hop releases, and he hasn’t slowed down since.
Recommended listen: iiiDrops for an introduction to his style, especially the track “Morning Sex,” and QUARTERTHING for a polished showcase of his range.
These five artists represent the heart and soul of Chicago’s underground rap in 2025. From soulful storytellers to gritty lyricists, each brings something unique while staying true to the city that shaped them. Whether you’re vibing to Saba’s reflective jams, dissecting Mick Jenkins’ wordplay, or turning up to Lucki and Joey Purp, you’ll find that Chicago’s hip-hop scene is as rich and diverse as ever. Dive into their notable songs and projects, and you’ll not only discover new music for your playlist, but also gain a deeper appreciation for the voices keeping Chicago’s rap legacy alive and well.