On April 13th 2025, we put together a list that captured the heartbeat of Chicago’s music scene heading into 2025. The nominations poured in, but when the dust settled, only 25 artists rose above the rest. (CLICK THE PHOTOS TO READ THE FULL Q & A WITH THE ARTIST)
Number 1 artist BabyChiefDoit dominated 2025, clearly showing why he claimed the top spot. In 2025, BabyChiefDoIt introduced himself to the world in a way Chicago hadn’t seen from a teenager in over ten years. His single “Went West” marked his official crossover into the mainstream, debuting on the Billboard Hot 100, supported by back-to-back projects Animals Only and Zoo Life. He became the youngest Chicago rapper to appear on the XXL Freshman Class cover since Chief Keef in 2013. He teamed up with Chance the Rapper on “Star Line,” while delivering one of the year’s most talked-about festival performances at Summer Smash. What makes his rise significant for Chicago’s sound is the bridge he’s building by mixing drill with traditional hip-hop and his own unique personality, inspired by city pioneers like Common and Twista, and proving that the next chapter of Chicago music is charismatic, genre-blending, and here to stay.
Chuckyy made 2025 his year without question. The 19-year-old from Altgeld Gardens on Chicago’s Far South Side debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 with “My World” in May and dropped his debut full-length project I Live, I Die, I Live Again to widespread critical praise, with coverage from Pitchfork, XXL, BrooklynVegan, and The FADER. Signed to Lil Durk’s Only the Family imprint and mentored by both Durk and Lucki, Chuckyy brought a horror-tinged, cinematic drill sound to the city that felt unlike anything else out there. He topped it off by dropping the deluxe edition Resurrected in August and Bloodbathh Vol. 2 on Halloween alongside a short slasher film. For Chicago, Chuckyy proved that the next chapter of drill could be eerie, artistic, and deeply personal all at once.
Bloodhound Q50 came into 2025 carrying the torch for the Bloodhound movement following the loss of his close collaborator Lil Jeff. He signed a deal with Signal Records, affiliated with Columbia Records, and dropped his debut album Long Live My Brudda He Prolly Kilt Yo Brudda in April 2025. He also performed at Milwaukee’s Summerfest in July. Despite the chaos that surrounded him throughout the year, Q50 kept releasing music and building his name, proving that even through tragedy, Chicago’s drill scene finds a way to keep moving forward.
Thirteendegrees had one of Chicago’s most talked about 2025 moments in the underground. His January tape Clique City Vol. 2 was a genre-bending standout that landed on The FADER’s 50 best albums of the year list. He packed out a hometown venue, performed with electric energy, and built a following that stretched far beyond the typical rap audience. His music, a nostalgia-soaked blend of early 2010s aesthetics, trap, and pop punk, reminded Chicago that the city’s sound has always been more diverse than the world gives it credit for.
Raq Baby made 2025 the year he stepped fully into the spotlight. The Chicago-born, Atlanta-raised rapper kicked things off with his EP More Spill in March, landed his first ever headlining show, and then hit the road opening for SahBabii on the Resurrection Tour. By September, he dropped his biggest project yet, I Never Gave AF, an 18-track album featuring G Herbo and Toosii that debuted at number 3 on Apple Music’s Hip-Hop Albums Chart. The FADER took notice, XXL featured him in their The Break series, and the city of Chicago welcomed him back home for a show at The Promontory in May. What Raq Baby means for Chicago’s sound is something special. He lives between two worlds, blending the gritty, melancholic honesty of Chicago drill with the melodic energy of Atlanta plugg, creating a lane that belongs entirely to him and proving that Chicago’s influence on rap stretches far beyond city limits.
YFG Fatso spent 2025 staying relentless, dropping single after single including “Keep Calling,” “High Speed Games,” “Princeton Prayer,” and “Floating,” never letting the momentum cool. Coming off the strong reception of A Reaper’s Ceremony, he proved in 2025 he wasn’t a one-project wonder. His gritty blend of classic Chicago drill, melody, and raw street storytelling kept fans locked in all year. Still just a teenager, YFG Fatso is already building a body of work that the city can point to as proof that Chicago’s next generation of drill is in good hands.
2025 was a full circle moment for Adamn Killa. After years of building a cult following, he went viral by posting up to 20 videos a day on social media, turning his raw unfiltered personality into a movement. He dropped A.D.H.D Rant Vol. 1 in February, followed it up with Generational Run in June, then performed at Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash the very next day. His resurgence reminded Chicago that authenticity never goes out of style, and that an artist with 15 years of music in the catalog just needed the right moment for the world to catch up.
Feather made 2025 count in a major way. The South Side of Chicago native, who had been building her sound between Chicago and LA, came back home and performed at Lollapalooza’s Chicago Made Showcase, a moment she had written on her bucket list back in December and manifested into reality. She took the stage with her dancers, a full band, and DJ Cash Era, debuting her new single “Stayyy” before performing “Lit Again” alongside Trey Songz. With connections to Jeremih and a growing catalog that blends soulful energy with sharp stage presence, Feather’s 2025 run was a reminder that Chicago’s talent extends far beyond rap and drill. She is part of a generation of Chicago artists proving the city’s sound has range, soul, and star power to match anyone on any stage.
Korporate achieved major independent success in 2024–2025, releasing music like the single “Over With,” performing at the Winter Music Festival at the United Center, and continuing to build a strong local following through performances, hosting, and viral content across Chicago.
D2x kept his momentum going in 2025, earning recognition as a rising Chicago artist while expanding his catalog with new music releases, including his 2024 album The Hunger Era and follow-up 2025 projects like Boy in the Blue Hoodie. His consistent releases, lyrical growth, and increasing media recognition have positioned him as one of the city’s most promising independent voices heading into the next wave of Chicago hip-hop.
Fully Chop started as a rising Chicago drill artist making noise in the city’s new wave of rap. He’s built a steady catalog of music across streaming platforms and social media, gaining attention for tracks like “Super Slime,” “Nun,” and “Devil in My Head.” With his steady output and presence in the underground drill scene, FullyChop continues to build momentum as an emerging voice out of Chicago.
Nina Austin has been steadily expanding her presence in Chicago’s independent music scene, marked by consistent releases and increasing traction across social media and streaming platforms. With a developing sound and growing visibility, she is emerging as part of a new wave of Chicago talent actively working to establish a foothold in the industry.
Miriah emerged as an R&B artist, building her presence within Chicago’s independent music scene. She has been developing her sound while gradually expanding her reach through social media engagement and streaming platforms. As she continues to release new material and refine her artistic identity, Miriah is positioning herself among a growing wave of talent shaping the city’s evolving music landscape.
Chanelle Tru is an up-and-coming Chicago artist steadily making her mark in the local independent music scene. Through consistent releases and a growing online following, she’s been gaining attention as she continues to shape her sound and artistic identity. With each new drop, Chanelle Tru is building momentum and establishing herself as part of the next wave of emerging talent coming out of the city.
