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Hip-hop has always been an ever-changing genre with ever-changing rhythms and appearances. The emergence of underground rappers who have yet to achieve mainstream success is one of the most intriguing aspects of this genre.
These artists not only bring a new perspective to the genre but also challenge the status quo by questioning societal norms and addressing unexplored issues in mainstream media. This article will concentrate on the top fifteen underground white rappers of the 2000s who have made waves in the hip-hop industry.
In many other rappers, their lyrical skills, storytelling abilities, and distinctive styles have made them stand out. This list includes artists from the United States, each bringing a unique flavor to the game. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the clandestine white rap scene of the 2000s.
15. El-P
El-P is a renowned rapper and producer who has actively contributed to the underground hip-hop scene since the late 1990s. Jaime Meline, also known as El-P, has significantly contributed to defining the genre’s sound and style in the 2000s.
He is an accomplished American rapper, composer, and record producer born on March 2, 1975, in Brooklyn, New York City, to Nan Dillon and the late jazz pianist Harry Meline, who was professionally known as Harry Keyes. El-P has produced some of the best songs, including Deep Space 9mm, Stepfather Factory, EMG, Flyentology, and Delorean.
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14. GDP
Matthew Miller, also known by his stage name GDP, is a talented American hip-hop recording artist from West Orange, New Jersey. In 2014, GDP released an impressive ” Collectibles ” compilation album via Smokers Cough and Ride The Fury.
It’s worth noting that in March of the same year, The Front Bottoms announced during the South by Southwest music festival their intention to release a split album with GDP. It’s important to acknowledge the significant shift in the hip-hop industry during the early 2000s, particularly with the emergence of white rappers.
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13. Ill Bill
William Braunstein, born on July 14, 1972, is a highly respected American rapper and record producer hailing from Brooklyn, New York City. He is best known by his stage name, Ill Bill. He released a studio album entitled The Future is Now under the Non Phixion label in 2002, along with numerous singles and two compilation albums Necro produced.
During the early 2000s, the hip-hop industry underwent a significant transformation, with the genre gaining mainstream popularity and increasing white rappers’ presence. Amongst the most notable of these artists was William Braunstein, Ill Bill, who became synonymous with his unique sound and style.
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12. J-Live
Jean-Jacques Cadet, professionally known as J-Live, is an accomplished American rapper, DJ, and record producer. He released his second studio album, All of the Above, on Coup D’état in 2002, which sold 30,000 copies.
While the role of white rappers in the music industry has been debated for years, J-Live has made a name for himself with his socially conscious themes and thought-provoking lyrics. As an artist from Brooklyn, he emerged during an era when icons like Eminem and Vanilla Ice had paved the way for a new generation of white rappers, intensifying the conversation around their place in hip-hop.
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11. Little Brother
Little Brother is a hip-hop duo from Durham, North Carolina, comprising rappers Phonte and Big Pooh. DJ and producer 9th Wonder was also a part of the group but left in 2007. The members first met as students at North Carolina Central University in 1998.
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Notably, the hip-hop genre has historically been dominated by Black artists, but in the 2000s, white rappers gained popularity, bringing a fresh perspective and style. The Little Brother movement, which featured underground white rappers from across the US, played a significant role in shaping the sound and aesthetics of hip-hop during this period.
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10. Aesop Rock
Ian Matthias Bavitz, also known as Aesop Rock, is a highly accomplished American rapper and producer from Long Island, New York. He played an important role in the emergence of a new generation of underground and alternative hip-hop artists in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Several of Aesop Rock’s most notable songs include “None Shall Pass,” “1,000 Deaths,” “Labor,” “Alchemy,” “9-5ers Anthem,” and “Coffee.”
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9. Afu-Ra
Afu-Ra is a notable underground rapper from the United States. He was born Aaron Ocosice Phillip on January 31, 1974. In 1994, he made his studio debut on the song “Mental Stamina” from Jeru’s album The Sun Rises in the East.
A compilation album titled Afu-Ra presents Perverted Monks was released under the Decon Records label in 2004, followed by a studio album titled State of the Arts in 2005. Afu-Ra, formerly known as Aaron Phillip, is a rapper from Brooklyn who rose to prominence with the publication of his debut album, “Body of the Life Force,” in 2000.
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8. Akrobatik
Jared K. Bridgeman, also known by his stage moniker Akrobatik, is a Boston, Massachusetts-native American rapper. 2003 saw the publication of Akrobatik’s debut album, “Balance,” under the label Coup D’état. The album peaked at number four on the CMJ “Hip-Hop 2003” chart.
A new wave of white rappers emerged in the 2000s, introducing a fresh perspective and distinctive sound to the industry. Subsequent albums by Akrobatik, including “Absolute Value” and “Built to Last,” cemented his reputation as one of his generation’s most talented and innovative white rappers.
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7. Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5 is a distinguished American alternative hip-hop collective comprising rappers Charles Stewart (Chali 2na), Dante Givens (Akil), Courtenay Henderson (Soup aka Zaakir), Marc Stuart (Marc 7), and disc jockeys Mark Potsic (DJ Nu-Mark) and Lucas Macfadden (Cut Chemist).
Their third album, Power In Numbers, released in 2002, reached #15 on the Billboard 200 chart. During the early 2000s, the rap industry underwent significant changes, with a surge in white rappers’ emergence on the scene. They stood out from the competition due to their inclusivity, with members from different ethnic backgrounds coming together to create a unique sound that spoke to audiences of all races.
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6. Atmosphere
Atmosphere is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based hip-hop duo consisting of vocalist Slug (Sean Daley) and DJ/producer Ant (Anthony Davis). The group joined forces with fellow vocalists Musab, Phull Surkle, Black Hole, and The Abstract Pack to form Headshots, which later evolved into the record label Rhymesayers.
In the early 2000s, a new generation of Caucasian rappers who were proud of their devotion to the genre and contributions to the industry emerged. Rather than solely imitating African American hip-hop and rap music, these artists brought their unique voices and experiences to the forefront.
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5. Binary Star
OneBeLo, or OneManArmy, is the leader of the reputable hip-hop group Binary Star. Previously, the group was a duo with the skilled vocalist Senim Silla. In 1998, while incarcerated at Hiawatha Correctional Facility, the two individuals met and founded the group.
Waterworld, the debut album by Binary Star, was released by Terrorist Records in 1999 with a $500 production budget. Despite parole restrictions, the duo undertook an extensive tour of Michigan, gaining notoriety in the underground scene. Their influence on the rap music industry is undeniable, especially after the publication of their debut album, “Masters of the Universe,” in 2000.
4. Black Moon
Hip-hop has always been recognized for its ability to combine sounds, styles, and cultures to produce innovative and thrilling music. A new generation of white rappers emerged in the early 2000s, bringing a fresh perspective and distinctive voice to the scene. Black Moon, a collective of underground rappers known for their raw, abrasive sound and socially conscious lyrics, stood out among these artists.
Even though they did not attain the same level of mainstream success as their contemporaries, their influence is still felt today, as numerous artists draw inspiration from their work. Black Moon stands for Brothers Lyrically Acting Combining Kicking Music Out On Nations and is a Brooklyn, New York-based underground hip-hop collective.
3. Pete Rock
Peter O. Phillips, who was born on June 21, 1970, is a highly regarded American music producer, DJ, and lyricist known professionally as Pete Rock. He is frequently mentioned alongside DJ Premier, RZA, and Q-Tip as a major player in the East Coast hip-hop production scene of the 1990s.
In the 2000s, the underground white rapper subgenre rose to prominence, attracting many talented artists to the hip-hop community and its culture. Pete Rock was instrumental in shaping this era and remains a prominent figure in the industry.
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2. One Be Lo
Nahshid Sulaiman, best known by his stage name One Be Lo, is a hip-hop artist from Pontiac, Michigan.[1] He is highly regarded as one half of the rap duo Binary Star[2] and has released several well-received solo albums.
Lo added additional Senim Silla verses and new songs to a re-release of Waterworld titled Masters of the Universe in 2000 and continued to concentrate on touring with Subterraneous and recording several albums’ worth of new music. Underground white rap, which emerged in the early 2000s and rapidly attained legend status, is one of the most intriguing subgenres of hip-hop.
One of the pioneering artists of this movement was One Be Lo, a rapper from Detroit who rose to prominence in the middle of the 2000s with his socially conscious lyrics, inventive wordplay, and infectious rhythms.
1. Lushlife
Those familiar with the underground rap culture of the early 2000s will recognize the significance of the name Raj Haldar. He goes by the stage name Lushlife and is an American rapper and record producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition, he co-wrote the book P Is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever.
Raj is also a member of the music duo The Skull Eclipses. His musical career started in high school when he played drums and composed arrangements for his jazz ensemble. 2005 he finally established in South Philadelphia after residing in London and New York City.
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