There are many notable rappers from the great State of Louisiana, but there are five who I feel at this moment are the upper echelon.

Some of the rappers on this list have experienced tremendous international success with their music as well, two of them have developed a huge following due in part to their social media following. All of these rappers have served time behind bars at one point or another, but it doesn’t take away the fact that these five will forever be locked into the DNA of Louisiana Hip-Hop. Honestly, they’ve all helped shape it in the process. All of these rappers got their start as underground artists on independent record labels and first developed their fan base in the streets of Louisiana.

You’ve got to at least like one rapper on this list, if not all of them - maybe even just a song or two. The list is ordered starting with the artist who experienced commercial success first, we kick the list off with none other than “The Man Right Chea.”

Mystikal 

Mystikal
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Michael Lawrence Tyler, aka Mystikal, was born and raised in New Orleans, and pushed out hits like “Here I Go, The Man Right Chea, Shake Ya Ass, Danger (Been So Long),” and an long list of features on chart topping songs. Chances are you’ve heard “Shake Ya Ass” at a night club or wedding reception at some point in life. Just recently Mystikal teamed up with Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars on “Feel Right.” It’s safe to say he’s not slowing down anytime soon. We hope to expect his seventh studio album “Original” sometime in 2015.

Juvenile

Juvenile
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Terius Gray, aka Juvenile, was born and raised in New Orleans and is a former member of  notable Cash Money Records hip-hop group the Hot Boys. Juvenile has an extensive list of hit’s with songs like “Solja Rags, Ha!, Back that Ass Up, I Got That Fire, Slow Motion, Set It Off, Gotta Get It,” and a long list of collaboratives, features, and more. His twelfth studio album “800 Degree’s” is due sometime in 2015.

Lil Wayne 

Lil Wayne
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Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., aka Lil Wayne, was born and raised in New Orleans, and like Juvenile he is also a former member of Cash Money Records the Hot Boys. Lil Wayne has given us a longer list of hits than anyone on this list “Shine, Way of Life, Get Something, Bring it Back, Go Dj, Fireman, I’m Me, Lollipop, Mrs. Officer, I’m Single” and too many more to list right now. Let’s not even get started with his list of collaboratives, and features. If this was a list of hardest working rappers Wayne might be on the list by himself. Who know’s when we will get Weezy’s eleventh studio album Tha Carter V, seeing that he’s still locked in a bitter battle with his pops Birdman to be released from Cash Money Records.

Lil Boosie (Boosie BadAzz)

Lil Boosie
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Torrence Hatch, aka Lil Boosie, was born and raised in Baton Rouge and got his start with hip-hop group the Concentration Camp when he was just 14. Boosie’s list of single’s aren’t as commercially successful as the rappers before him on this list, but he has a plethora of songs that hoods all over American just can’t seem to get enough. His early commercial success came from being featured on Mr. Magic’s “I Smoke I Drank,” onto to his own singles like “Zoom” and "Wipe Me Down.” Boosie’s sixth solo studio album Touch Down 2 Cause Hell was released on May 26, 2015.

Kevin Gates

Kevin Gates
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Last but not least!

Kevin Gilyard, aka Kevin Gates, was born in New Orleans but raised in Baton Rouge. The “I Don’t Get Tired” rapper gained a tremendous amount of regional notoriety while incarcerated with songs like “Grinder” and “Head to My Toes”.  After his release in 2011 he hit the ground running releasing several mixtapes and drew national attention with his singles “Satellites” and "Posed to Be in Love.” The Baton Rouge MC has gained much attention via social media, which he’s seemed to have mastered as he boasts almost 2 million followers.  Like Boosie, Kevin Gates is a staple in hoods all over America with a long list of songs and features that would take me a day or so to type up. Luca Brasi 2 is available now, and his Murder for Hire mixtape was released on May 26, 2015.

The argument will go something like this - what about B.G. Birdman, C Murder, Master P, Mia X, Soulja Slim, Vicious, Webbie, and others?  This list is simply my opinion and does not reflect who I think the “best” rappers are. Still, let’s start the debate here. Sound off in the comments below.

There are more great rappers from Louisiana, but In my humble opinion at least at the moment, these guys reign supreme.

 

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