White rappers from Kentucky like Jack Harlow, RA Scion & others are changing the state’s rap scene lately. Growing records and stage performances show the vogue.
A multitude of styles and music, unique to rap artists are now more than visible in Kentucky state, and it is flooding the street with energy. Besides being known for Kentucky Fried Chicken, bourbon and horse racing, now rap music is also creating a buzz in this southeastern state.
Like their counterparts and frequent collaborators, white rappers are equally contributing to the rap industry at the local and national levels.
We’ll look at those artists and get to know them a little better; we have no time to lose if we have missed following their music so far!
1. Jack Harlow
In his lyrics, Harlow gives tribute to the city that made him and he thinks he’s doing his part to lift up the name of Louisville. For Harlow, his music is getting better, and no wonder he was cosigned by Kanye West too; he’s a rising star in the hip-hop scene and people have loved his talented underdog kind of charisma.
Some articles have even called him a cultural chameleon, who can adapt well to fit in all the gaps of his diverse audience: Gen Z listeners, LGBTQ+ listeners, and TikTok listeners. He has been able to keep the audience engaged. His debut album, Thats What They All Say, had made number 5 on the US Billboard 200.
He has explored the themes of sexuality and drug use, while being playful in his lyrics, fusing trap beats and remaining emotionally truthful. His 2020 song What’s Poppin’ brought him on TikTok trending and so did his collaboration with Lil Nax S, which earned awards and recognitions.
He has really pushed himself to come to his current popularity and always holds onto the value to strive to connect with people through his music. Some have even compared him with Drake and Eminem. He has over 29M monthly listeners on Spotify, and 6.6M followers on Instagram. His latest album Come Home The Kids Miss You (2020) is available on many music platforms.
2. RA Scion
Louisville-based RA Scion, originally Ryan Abeo, is an alternative rap and hip-hop artist. A talented white emcee from Kentucky, RA Scion has built his fan base.
RA Scion has been performing independently and together with DJ/Producer Sabzi as a duo called Common Market. Their common ground is their political, social and spiritual approach to hip-hop music.
Scion has said in an interview that his intent is to make music in the trenches, which means his concerns are for people who are at the roots, and whose voices haven’t been represented. For his music, he is incorporating different genres, to capture the recent interest of the generation, making it appealing to his audience.
Scion has a gene of rebellion, but he sometimes also sees himself as a rebel without a cause. However, his music always has a voice and a message of a need for change.
Like many talented singer-songwriters, Scion had also started experimenting with his writing skills when he was just 12, and at the same time, recording his hip-hop lyrics. Though a rapper from Kentucky, he has also gained wide recognition in the Northwest hip-hop scene.
Scion has cited A Tribe Called Quest and Chuck D as his influence. He has been using music as a medium for activism as well. His latest release is his EP: TRUE||FORM: “GENUFLEXION” (2023). He has a self-released album: More Power to You (2016) to his credit other than albums and EPs he has done in collaboration in Common Market.
3. Benny Euro
Benny Euro joins our list as an artist popular for his views on lifestyle & ethos, unlike many local rap artists. His freestyles have been highly praised.
He has been very conscious of his career direction and has also been excessively productive in recent days. His bumpy beats and throbbing bass work showcasing his freestyle skills, with bars and verses talking about urban life and its difficulties have been widely enjoyed by followers and critics.
Especially his single OK was able to move the youths with his rhythm and beats; he is able to create an impetuous flow of vibes.
Benny has Bosnian and Albanian origins, but he grew up in Kentucky.
He draws his influences from southern music culture, and he has been also called an emo and passionate rap star who is concerned more with being innovative in his style and production.
He has also cited iconic rappers Boosie and Weebie as his inspirations and is interested in how the underground music scene has been developing in Kentucky.
Benny has more than 10.3K followers on Instagram as of now. Including OK (2020), his other singles like Work (2022), Euro Step Freestyle (2021) and Euros & 30’s (2020) are among his popular tracks among his surging followers.
4. Chuckie Campbell
Chuckie Campbell is an emerging rapper who was raised in Kentucky. He has already bagged All WNY Music Awards for Best Hip Hop/Rap Performer.
The rapper has been praised for his high-rated lyrical abilities and intricate wordplay that uplifts the listeners in its flow. His More Die of Heartbreak has been highly appraised by critics so far as to say that his music has been able to offer dark depths to the hip-hop scene making him one of the most remarkable artists of the time.
His music explores and brings to light the contrast of faith and uncertainty, misfortune and contentment, freedom and restraint followed by suitable soundscapes.
Besides rapper, Campbell is also a poet, fiction writer and educator. Campbell has also performed in more than 40 states with his band with live instruments, while also sharing stages with renowned hip-hop artists.
His albums like Taking Back Tomorrow (2018), More Die of Heartbreak, and EPs like Shadows Resembling God (2022), Curious Incidents in Cancel Culture (2020) and many other singles have proved his versatility as a singer-songwriter.
His well-written lyrics also tend to switch between different genres of music and hip-hop styles.
5. Vyb Esco
Vyb Esco is one of the upcoming indie rappers to come from Glasgow, Kentucky. He just doesn’t want to be another rapper to the mass, he wants to be an artist.
Indie rappers are equally important as mainstream rappers. Young talents like Vyb Esco, who have smartly used social media, are constantly engaging their fans. Vyb Esco has also blended elements of Psychedelic and Trance music into his bangers and he also calls them chill and good vibe music.
He already has two albums in his bag: The Spins (2022) and The Record (2022). Besides these, he also has released popular singles like Oh Geez (2022), We Get By (2022) and others including an EP called The Needle in 2021.
His music videos also express his passion for rap. A Kentucky rapper on the rise, he is a rapper we must watch out for!