It’s no secret that the Detroit Hip Hop scene is back on the rise. Eyes have been on this city via the likes of celebrities such as 40oz Van, Big Sean and Eminem. In the last couple years, DeJ Loaf, Tee Grizzley, Kash Doll and most recently Neisha Neshae, who signed to Roc Nation, made it out the D.
The artists below each have a unique sound–most of them do not subscribe to the “Detroit sound” people associate the city with. These artists are innovative, talented, respected, and being routed for in the Detroit community. Below I break down who they are, their greatest accomplishes thus far and their hit song you need to hear.
Get hip and support Detroit’s revival.
1Evan The Twerkgod
Evan The Twerkgod has had an exciting year as the “Detroit’s Rockstar”. He’s opened up for Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, Playboi Carti and Rich The Kid, among many other big name acts. His hit single “Lean Cuisine” was picked up by 97.9 WJLB (DJ Don Q), 105.1 The Bounce (DJ Dinero) and HOT107.5 (DJ M.I.X.) and on regular rotation all summer 17′. He’s been seen facetiming Lil Pump and Smokepurpp on separate occasions and in the studio with OG Maco. Paired with a plethora of fan-based incidents, eyes have stayed on him and we don’t see that changing anytime soon. (click here for more on those stories)
2B-Free
B-Free has not only opened up for big acts such as Rich The Kid, OG Maco and Lil Debbie but is preparing to graduate with a Business Marketing degree from the Mike Illitch School of Business at Wayne State University. The Detroit star known for mosh pitting and crowd-surfing won The Hip Hop Lab showcase last week presented by Lando (who manages Rocky B and Cammie Bands). B-Free also won the HOT107.5 Friday Night Cypher with DJBJ on April 14th 2017 and was featured on the radio cypher consecutively for 15 weeks thereafter. Currently B-Free is on the Young Minds Tour with Snap Dogg and Neisha Neshae and just secured his spot in the third edition of the EMCEE Cypher.
3Philup Banks
Philup Banks has rocked shows with Lil Uzi Vert, PNB Rock, and 24hrs. His song “My Own” premiered at No.1 on the NewSickMusic charts and he’s been mentioned by and featured on The Dope Show, WestCoast Keish, ThisIs50 and HotNewHipHop. He’s even been on multiple radio stations including HOT107.5, Shade 45, and The Bounce 105.1. Philup will also be featured on the upcoming third edition of the EMCEE Cypher.
4Godbody LC
Godbody LC has been getting around Detroit, from performing at HOT107.5’s Imported From The D Showcase to participating in the HOT107.5’s Friday Freestyles for a year straight. Godbody LC has worked with Bos Billions, Vincent Berry II, and Nipsey Hussle’s camp. He’s also been featured on sites including The Source, ThisIs50 and HOT97 FM.
5Sam Austins
Sam Austins 2015 Project “GOAT” propelled him to the center of Detroit’s underground rap world, and put him on bills with the likes of Playboi Carti, Vince Staples, and Juicy J. His two singles in “Fiji” (ft. Take A Daytrip) and “Right Here 4 U” (ft. Gosh Pith), streamed some 600,000 times, pushed him onto the national radar. With those singles Sam Austins has been featured on Spotify’s Most Necessary, Alternative R&B, Fresh Finds and Weekly Buzz playlists, has trended twice on Audiomack, and has been covered by the likes of Pigeons & Planes, Elevator Magazine, and No Jumper’s Adam22.
6Dopehead
A member of Bruiser Brigade, Dopehead got his start with Danny Brown in a hip hop group called Rese’vor Dogs, alongside fellow Detroit-based rapper Chip$. He has released several projects including DOPEHEAD VOL. 1, Plaid Palm Trees, Devils Heaven and, most recently, Beautiful Chaos. In 2016, Dopehead went on the The Exhibition Tour with Danny Brown and Zeloopers. He has also been featured in Pigeons and Planes, Complex, and The Fader.
7Supakaine
Supakaine has had quite the year. After finishing a tour with Slum Village, Guilty Simpson and Black Milk, the Detroit rising star found himself overseas in South Africa closing out a festival this Summer—he then jumped on another tour with Def Jam’s Amir Obe. Now, Supakaine has buckled down to give us this 11-track masterpiece. Scholastica Park is stacked with smooth Hip-Hop beats, heavy drum and snares and well dug-up samples. Aforementioned tourmates Guilty Simpson and Slum Village as well as Chuck Inglish joined as a feature on the project.
8Malcolm Elliott
At 22 years old, Malcolm has toured Europe, performed at SXSW and graced the stages of legendary venues such as The Fox Theatre, Saint Andrews Hall, Detroit Country Club and Cobo Hall. Malcolm has also opened the International Jazz Festival with the DPS All City Jazz Combo and performed for the late Dr. Maya Angelou. He was voted Best New Artist by Michigan State in 2015 and has been featured on HOT107.5 radio in Detroit on numerous occasions. In 2016 he made it as one of four artists on the very first EMCEE Cypher.
Malcolm has worked with Grammy Award winning, double platinum producer and DJ, DJ Head and has performed alongside Comedic Legend George Lopez. Recently he as worked closely with Platinum recording artist and Detroit Legend Royce Da 5’9, and was featured on Royce’s latest Mixtape entitled “The Bar Exam 4”.
9Melrose
Melrose has been writing music since she was 8 years old. She spent most of her life facing obstacles but channeled that into finding her own personal sound of music. Melrose is just getting started but has already had a radio interview with 107.5’s “The Morning Heat” and landed an interview with XXL.
Lyrical Lipzz isn’t far behind 😉😎