21 Hottest Black Male Rappers

Let’s be real, a list of the best rappers and hottest rappers won’t always go down in the same order. That said, all of the guys on this list also spit fire!

Today we’re looking at the hottest black male rappers ever. Let us know who you would’ve put as your top 3 in the comments below.

Drake

We first saw Drake as the handsome Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian teen reality, Degrassi: The Next Generation. He debuted as an American rapper in March 2010. His first hit single, “Over” skyrocketed to number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the first week of release.

“Find Your Love” (2010) performed even better, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. His other notable singles include “Hold On, We’re Going Home”, featuring Majid Jordan, “Hotline Bling” (2016), and “God’s Plan” (2018).

Big Sean

Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, known by his stage name Big Sean, started his rapping career in 2007 before becoming highly popular three years later. “Finally Famous Vol. 3: Big” was his third mixtape that got him into the spotlight.

“My Last” (2011) featuring Chris Brown was Big Sean’s first hit single. The song reached #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs. Big Sean is known for other hits like “Dance (A$$)” featuring Nicki Minaj (2011), “Blessings” (2015), and “Bounce Back” (2016).

A$AP Rocky

Born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, A$AP Rocky is one of the hottest black male rappers of the 21st century. Olivia Wilde professed A$AP Rocky’s hotness when Rihanna performed for the 2023 Super Bowl half-time show. She publicly stated she was not attempting to steal him from Rihanna, but was trying to show her support.

His early career began in 2007 when he joined the ASAP Mob in Harlem where he earned his stage name. “Purple Swag” was the 2011 hit that earned him attention from popular record labels. Other single hits include “Praise the Lord” (2018), “Peso” (2011), and “Every Day” (2015).

NLE Choppa

Bryson Lashun Potts, known by his rap name NLE Choppa, was once known as YNR Choppa when his first song, “No Love Anthem” debuted in 2018. His 2019 hit single “Shotta Flow” was certified platinum via the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Its top position was #40 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Some of his other hit singles include “Capo” (2019), “Walk Em Down” (2020), and “Final Warning” (2022). NLE Choppa is a handsome rapper that not only sings but is also a dedicated vegan with a vegan food truck business. It’s called This Can’t Be Vegan Food.

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is not only one of the hottest black male rappers, but he is also a songwriter. He was formerly known as K. Dot in his teenage performing days where he gained popularity and eventually signed with Top Dawg Entertainment in 2005.

His first public single was “HiiiPoWeR” (2011). The rapper claimed that the three i’s stand for respect, honor, and heart. Those are the three traits of a street gangster.

Kendrick Lamar’s other hits include “Money Trees” (2012) and “King Kunta” (2015). The 2018 hit, “All the Stars” was featured in the Black Panther movie soundtrack.

Blueface

Jonathan Jamall Porter, known by his stage name, Blueface, gained popularity in the fall of 2018. His music, “Respect My Cryppin” transformed into a meme dedicated to his unconventional rapping style.

While Find the Beat (2020) was his first album. His highly successful single a year prior, “Thotiana” features YG and Cardi B. It hit #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2019.

Nas

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones has been rapping since the early 90s. His first alias was Kid Wave before he changed it to Nasty Nas.

His best song was “I Can” (2003) which peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the charts for 20 weeks. He was featured in the Missy Elliot hit “Hot Boyz” (1999) alongside Eve and Q-Tip which peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the chart for 21 weeks.

Childish Gambino

Donald McKinley Glover Jr, best known as Childish Gambino, arrived in the American spotlight as an actor, comedian, and scriptwriter. He was a writer for Tina Fey’s NBC sitcom, 30 Rock. His rapping career began in 2011.

“This is America” (2018) was his most successful hit debuting at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 upon its release. It was the 31st song to achieve this feat.

Future

Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn later changed his last name to Cash and took on the stage name, Future when starting his rapping career in 2010. He released his first few mixtapes within the first year and collaborated with Gucci Mane to release Free Bricks. DJ Esco of the Magic City strip club in Atlanta, Georgia played their songs.

Future’s secured a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, “Wait For U” (2022) featuring Drake and Tems. Other notable hits include “Life Is Good” (2020) featuring Drake and “Mask Off” (2017).

21 Savage

Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph chose 21 Savage as his rapping stage name when he released his first two mixtapes in 2015. His popularity was sealed, releasing an EP called Savage Mode featuring Future and Metro Boomin’ a year later.

21 Savage was featured in two #1 Billboard Hot 100 songs including Drake’s “Jimmy Cooks” (2022) and Post Malone’s “Rockstar” (2017). “Bank Account” (2017), “A Lot” (2019), and “Runnin” (2020) featuring Metro Boomin’ are some of his notable hits with him as the lead rapper.

Travis Scott

Jacques Bermon Webster II chose his stage name Travis Scott when he kickstarted his professional career in 2012 by signing with Epic Records. The name was inspired by the first name of his favorite uncle, Travis, and the birth name of his musical inspiration, Kid Cudi. 

Travis Scott secured four #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The first two were “Sicko Mode” (2018) and “Highest in the Room” (2019). His two #1 hits from 2020 were “Franchise” featuring Young Thug and M.I.A. and “The Scotts” featuring Kid Cudi.

Kid Cudi

Speaking of Kid Cudi, no one can forget his iconic hit “Day ‘N’ Nite” (2009). The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the chart for 27 weeks.

Born Scott Mescudi, he gained popularity after publishing the iconic song on his MySpace page. The album in which “Day ‘N’ Nite” was featured, Man on the Moon: End of the Day became certified platinum four times via RIAA. He is also known for the hit, “Pursuit of Happiness” (2009) featuring MGMT.

DaBaby

Jonathan Lyndale Kirk’s first stage name was Baby Jesus before he changed it to DaBaby. He built his career by releasing his first mixtapes from 2014 to 2018 before his debut commercial album Baby on Baby in 2019. His first top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Suge (Yea Yea)” came from this album.

DaBaby’s #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 was “Rockstar” (2020) featuring Roddy Rich, which remained in the top position for seven weeks. He secured a few other top 10 hits where he was the featured rapper, including “Levitating” (2020) by Dua Lipa, “What’s Poppin” (2020) by Jack Harlow, Tory Lanez, and Lil Wayne, and “For the Night” (2020) by Pop Smoke and Lil Baby.

YG

Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson’s stage name, YG is an acronym for Young Gangsta. His first single, “Toot It and Boot It” (2010) featuring Ty Dolla Sign saw some success when it hit the 67th position on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s popularity led him to sign with Def Jam Records.

YG’s first studio album was My Krazy Life (2014). Some controversy caused the album’s removal on select streaming platforms because the song, “My Crazy Neighbors” contains hate speech about Asian individuals.

Lil Nas X

Montero Lamar Hill’s stage name is Lil Nas X. He drew inspiration from the stage names of other new rappers in the mainstream American music industry because many started with Lil.

His 2019 hit single, “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus remained the #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 weeks. It set the record for the longest-trending #1 hit in the list’s history.

His other Billboard Hot 100 #1 hits include “Industry Baby” (2021) featuring Jack Harlow and “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” (2021). Both hits remained in the top position for one week.

J. Cole

J. Cole’s stage name was inspired by his birth name, Jermaine Lamarr Cole. He started writing songs at age 14 in a journal. His musical muses were Eminem, Nas, Tupac, and Canibus.

He has 67 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, 10 being top 10 hits. His 2011 hit single, “Workout” peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the chart for 28 weeks. “My.life” (2021), featuring 21 Savage and Morray reached #2 on the charts.

LL Cool J

LL Cool J is still handsome even in his 50s. James Todd Smith’s stage name is an acronym for Ladies Love Cool James. He started rapping at 10 years old with inspiration from the late 70s hip-hop group, The Treacherous Tree.

His commercial musical career began in the mid-80s when he was one the earliest rappers to achieve popularity alongside up-and-coming hip-hop groups, Run DMC and Beastie Boys. “Mama Said Knock You Out” (1990) reached #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a certified gold hit single via RIAA.

Kanye West

Kanye West has reached prominence with his unconventional rapping style and controversial behaviors since 2004, including wearing a White Lives Matter shirt and his antisemitic claims in 2022.

His most successful #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 “Gold Digger” (2005) featuring Jamie Foxx remained on the chart for 10 weeks. His other #1 hit on the chart was “Stronger” (2007). He was featured in two other #1 hits “E.T.” (2010) by Katy Perry and “Slow Jamz” (2003) by Twista featuring Jamie Foxx.

50 Cent

Curtis James Jackson III’s stage name, 50 Cent, was inspired by the alias of a 1980s robber, Kevin Martin. We first saw his hot pecs and charismatic smile in his debut single, “In Da Club” (2003).

This song skyrocketed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed in the top position for nine weeks. Six years later, his hit single, “Candy Shop” also peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Lanscilo Williams’ handsome looks and name did not require him to choose a stage name. He partnered with his collegiate colleague, Chad Hugo, and named themselves the Neptunes. They helped R&B artists record their debut songs.

Williams has musical roots in his family. Timbaland is his cousin. His most famous song, “Happy” (2014), was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for ten weeks. He appeared in “Blurred Lines” (2013) alongside Robin Thicke and T.I. that remained #1 for 12 weeks. 

Gucci Mane

Radric Delantic Davis adopted his stage name, Gucci Mane because his grandma gave his father the nickname, Gucci. He is “Gucci” with his handsome looks. He rapped recreationally starting at 14 inspired by his poetry.

His first independent album was Trap House (2005) with the hit single “Icy” alongside Young Jeezy. “Wake Up In the Sky” (2018) featuring Bruno Mars and Kodak Black peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the chart for 26 weeks.

Hottest Black Male Rappers, Final Thoughts

Now that you know more about the hottest black male rappers, who are your favorites and why? Weigh in by commenting below. Is it their charming looks that form your opinion, their lyrical prowess, or both?

If we didn’t include your favorite black male rapper, mention him in the comments. We tried to feature rappers from various eras between the 80s to now.