Preview: Top 5 Breakout Artists at Rolling Loud LA 2023
FROM ITS ROOTS IN MIAMI — to becoming a global affair, Rolling Loud has quickly become a household name in the world of rap and hip-hop. Branching out into Los Angeles and New York, along with Thailand, Rotterdam, Portugal, and Germany, Rolling Loud has no problems securing some of the biggest names in the rap game. This weekend, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, and Future with special guest Lil Wayne headline Rolling Loud LA at the Hollywood Park Ground in Inglewood.
Aside from the big font names on the bill, artists on the brink of blowing up perform throughout the weekend. There’s a true diversity in sound, aesthetic, and style among these new names. For up-and-coming artists, what separates the viral from the famous is undefeated talent. Here are our top five breakout artists to watch at Rolling Loud LA this year.
MARQUS CLAE
In a new world of mumble rappers, it’s exciting to find a rapper with a classic sense of lyricism — especially one as young as Marqus Clae, who is 23 years old. Clae, born and raised in Houston, Texas, has been making music since before he was 10. By the time he turned 11, Clae had recorded his first mixtape and began touring with Lupe Fiasco. In 2016, he began releasing music under Master P’s label, No Limit Forever, after spitting for him in an airport. After departing in 2018, Clae signed to Def Jam Recordings in 2020, releasing his newest record, THE MECCA, in 2022. Clae’s “tribute to hip-hop,” the album, clearly shows his influences: Jay-Z, Nas, and Scarface.
BKTHERULA
Bktherula is an anomaly. If you were to listen to her two most popular songs, “LEFT RIGHT” and “IDK WHAT TO TELL YOU,” cold, then you’d be likely to guess they were by two completely different people. Bktherula manipulates her voice and flow like she’s running through a maze, making it impossible to pigeonhole her. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, she is barely turning 21 this year. Bktherula released her fourth album, LVL5 P1, this past month, featuring collaborations with Rico Nasty and Destroy Lonely. Her hard work, versatility, and talent brings her one step closer to being one of the best in the game. There’s no doubt Bktherula will be bringing mosh pits and high vibrations to her performance at Rolling Loud LA.
BARELY LEGAL
Barely Legal prefers to call themselves a collective rather than a rap group. Composed of four artists, Kid Dre, Miguel Morales, Chowder Band$, and JØ, as well as their “media constituents” Laith, Danny, Devin, and Ty, the collective quickly gained notoriety for their versatile production and flows. Barely Legal is quick to garner comparisons to hip-hop groups such as BROCKHAMPTON and AG Club — likely due to their close bond, creative fervor and goofy online personas. The collective formed in 2019 in Tampa, Florida and would later release their first record, Barely Legal Tapes, Vol. 1, three years later. No artist member of Barely Legal is older than 23 and is already turning heads, making this year’s performance their second time at Rolling Loud.
BELIS
Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, rapper Belis is quickly making a name for herself in the underground rap scene. The rapper is known for her “baby voice” vocals paired with bouncy, earworm production in breakout hits such as “Hysterical Glamour” and “Lemonade.” Now based in LA, Belis has already worked with names such as lil aaron and $not in the studio, also working in artist collective NEILAWORLD (Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti). Belis also dropped an album right after the new year, EMBRACE TO REMEMBER, with production credits to Nascar Aloe and kassgocrazy.
HOOSH
Before settling down in Miami, Florida, left-of-center hip-hop artist Hoosh was born in Alabama to Sudanese parents and split his childhood between the US, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia. In his first record, everything’s gonna be alright, Hoosh breaks down his introspection into his words. He blends R&B, hip-hop, and soul, lately venturing out into groove and acoustic beats — his sound is a cross between Aminé and Roy Woods. After bringing a full band to his sets at Rolling Loud Miami and New York, listeners can look forward to hearing new tracks such as “False Prophets” and “12 Weeks” this weekend.
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