Underground Rap is a subgenre of rap that thrives outside the mainstream music industry. It is often distinguished by a raw, authentic sound, a strong emphasis on lyrical depth, and/or experimental production.

While it primarily features artists who release music independently, such as SoundCloud rappers, it also includes those who may achieve commercial success but remain committed to creating music that resonates with the underground scene. Artists in the genre are known known for their DIY ethos and themes that challenge societal norms.

The underground scene emerged in the 1990s as a response to the commercialization of hip-hop, with artists seeking to preserve the genre’s original spirit of self-expression and resistance.

90s/00s Artists

• MF DOOM
• Aesop Rock
• Dälek

Modern Artists:

• JPEGMAFIA
• Black Kray
• Bladee
• Sematary