Discover the hidden gems of Detroit's rap scene as we unveil the most promising talents with less than 5k followers. Unearthing raw talent and showcasing the underappreciated artists shaping the city's musical landscape.
1.HomeAlone Drock : 2,845
HomeAlone Drock released his first project in 2021 but it wasn't until 2022 when he released Not For Rookies that he started to gain momentum. In February of 2023 he noticeably started to take rap more seriously releasing the Same Night ep as well as a string of singles and videos that did nothing, but garner more excitement for future releases. Drock can be described as a smooth story teller that is able to paint vivid pictures of things that's he's been through using his verses. At the time of writing this he's sitting at 2,845 followers .
2. MENDAX : 742
MENDAX or otherwise known as the Community College Club is a collective of artist and not just musical. But focusing on their work in music they released their first collab tape titled ILUVTHATSHIT after already beginning to a cult following from their previous solo projects. The group compiles of Jay Stix, Chrisco Thang, KT , OfftheGoop, & Straight Woods to name a few. MENDAX appears to be a continuously evolving group constantly adding new members and exploring different business avenues, but their overall message and motto remain the same throughout.
3. Binswanson : 1,708
Binswanson reminds me of mid 2000s trap artist who may have had a hand in the streets, but they also had a genuine talent for music. That combination creates an artist that is able to make authentic street music without losing the skill of a polished artist. Swanson is bound to grow as more people are exposed to his music.
4. JBJ : 3,112
JBJ bursted onto the scene in the 2nd half of 2023 after being released from prison. As of now he only has a few singles Bird Effect, O-Die, & 5pecial were all featured on the Timeline Pod Playlist. In just a few short months has impressed us with consistent releases each topping the last. This may be a early prediction considering how long JBJ has been releasing music, but if he keeps this up he bounds to pass the 5k follower mark soon.
5. Richie Ray : 1,660
They're aren't many new artist who truly still care about the art of rap. That wouldn't be true for Richie Ray. His style depends on his ability to captivate with well thought out bars and intricate subject matter. He may be rapping about his own life, but the life lessons learned can be applied to yourself. His most recent project Godspeed 2 is a solid introduction to Richie Ray as an artist and is a project we highly recommend,
6. Joddie Joe : 2,051
Jodie Joe is an artist who isn't constantly promoting his music, but the people who have come across all feel the same way. We wish he would drop more! Detroit has always had a motivational street rap sub genre and Joddie Joe falls into the category. Need to get out your feelings and get to a bag? Need to disappear a while and stack? Joddie is the soundtrack for those moments.
7. Kay Arie: 4,289
We heard about Kay Arie early in 2024 when she released get his first tape World Champ . She immediately drew comparisons to Karrahbooo and Veeze because of nonchalant flow but she still manages to add her own unique twist, So not even a month after releasing her first song why do we believe she's one of the most promising artist with under 5k followers? The simple answer is she got off to a really strong start and has professional level production from the beginning after teaming up with Derrick $horter who has more worked with a few prominent names in the past. With consistent work she could easily begin to make a name for herself in the underground scene this year.
8. Mojo : 4,773
Mojo makes upbeat music that will make you want to get up and make some money. With beats that can spark your ambition and lyrics that will inspire your hustle Mojo could potentially become a buzzing name in the Detroit underground scene.
9. Jay Bill$ 100 : 1,518
Jay Bill$ prides himself on creating complete projects. His projects Green Dolphin & Channel 6 are examples of that. He often tackles difficult subject matter in his songs and often lives listeners with something deeper to think about. His desire to not be one dimensional has led him to create plenty of songs that are just meant to be fun; an example of that would be a song like Jugg Marathon. With each Jay Bill$ project building on the last we think this year will continue that.
As we wrap up our exploration of Detroit's burgeoning music scene, it's clear that hidden gems like the artist mentioned above are the lifeblood of the city's underground culture. With under 5000 followers, all of them encapsulate the raw talent and authenticity that defines the Motor City's musical landscape. Keep a close eye on these rising stars, as their unique sound and genuine connection with their audience have the potential to catapult them into the mainstream.
Detroit's underground scene is constantly evolving with new trends popping up and fresh sounds taking over production. Stay up to date with all of the latest by following @the_timelinepocast on Instagram.
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