In 2023, Memphis hip-hop is continuing what has been a historically significant (and commercially successful) run over the last few years.
This new golden era of Bluff City rap — led by Billboard chart-topper Moneybagg Yo, Grammy nominee GloRilla, and young phenom NLE Choppa — has seen Memphis artists and labels building national profiles and thriving careers as they emerge from across the city.
So far this year, the releases from both established and up-and-coming acts have been plentiful. As we’ve passed the midway point of 2023, here’s a look at a half dozen of the top albums and mixtapes from the local rap scene.
NLE Choppa
“Cottonwood 2”; Warner/No Love Entertainment
A titular sequel to his gold certified 2019 EP, “Cottonwood 2” ups the stakes for the 20-year-old Choppa, who is already five years into a career that began with a meteoric rise in 2018 when he was just 15. The album follows up on 2020’s proper LP release, “Top Shotta,” and features an array of guests from veterans like Lil Wayne and Rick Ross to fellow Gen Z Memphis rappers like Duke Deuce. The record debuted in the top 10 of the rap charts and at No. 21 on the pop charts upon its release in April.
Gloss Up
“Before the Gloss Up”; Quality Control
A member of Memphis rap’s emerging female contingent, Gloss Up, aka Jerrica Russell, is a 26-year-old who started her career online dropping freestyles she recorded on an iPhone and put up on Soundcloud. Inspired by OG Memphis hip-hop queens like Gangsta Boo and La Chat, Gloss found a kindred spirit in GloRilla in 2019 as well as a crew of female rappers working with producer Hitkidd. Gloss soon put out her first mixtape, “Different Shades of Gloss,” independently. Last year she signed to Atlanta’s Quality Control, which released her widely acclaimed project, “Before the Gloss Up,” in January. The album has quickly pushed her into the top ranks of local rappers.
Moneybagg Yo
“Hard to Love”; CMG/Interscope
On his 17th album/mixtape project, the ever-prolific Moneybagg Yo digs deep, as “Hard to Love” offers a revealing glimpse of ‘Bagg’s personal struggles with addiction and loss. The 20-track, 55-minute affair packs a lot in its running time including collaborations with Future, Lil Durk and GloRilla, but the focus remains on ‘Bagg’s wordplay and magnetism as an MC. The record, released in June, continued his popular success, hitting the top 10 of the Billboard album charts.
Key Glock
“Glockoma 2”;Paper Route Empire
Young Dolph protégé/cousin and Paper Route Empire label torch bearer Key Glock continued his winning steak with the release of “Glockoma 2” in 2023. A sequel to his 2018 mixtape, the album was largely recorded while Key Glock was on tour in Europe last summer. Released in February — and peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard charts — the record was expanded with a further eight tracks and rereleased in June. As is typical for Glock, the album is once again an insular affair with him handling all the writing duties and a small cadre of producers (led by Middle Tennessee native Bandplay) providing beats. Laced with a bluesy feeling, the album clearly — though not outwardly — is colored by the death of his mentor and friend Dolph and finds its most powerful moments in a kind of haunted reflection.
Big Boogie
“Definition of Big Dude”; CMG Records
A member of Yo Gotti’s CMG label family, Big Boogie signed to the company in 2020. Since then, he’s released three projects: 2020’s “Final Nightmare,” 2021’s “Underrated,” as well as 2022’s expanded edition of the latter album. The 27-year-old, born John Lotts, also shined on last year’s much hyped CMG label compilation, “Gangsta Art,” featuring on standout tracks like “Keke,” “Buss Down” and “Mean Dat.” This past winter, Big Boogie continued his musical journey with a new project, the 14-track “Definition of Big Dude.” The album finds the Louisiana/Memphis-raised rapper reaching a new level as both a lyricist and MC, one whose wide appeal — popular with ladies, in the streets and among critics — bodes well for his future.
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Big Scarr
“The Secret Weapon”; 1017 Records
One of Memphis’ most promising young artists, rapper Big Scarr’s life and career were cut short late last year when he died at the age of 22 from an accidental prescription drug overdose. The cousin of imprisoned rapper Pooh Shiesty, Scarr — born Alexander Woods — was signed by Gucci Mane to his 1017 Records label in 2020. Scarr’s first solo mixtape, 2021’s “Big Grim Reaper,” was an auspicious start, with critics hailing his work and the album reaching the Billboard top 25 and going gold. Just weeks after his December passing, Scarr’s posthumous studio LP, “The Secret Weapon,” was released and it stands as a bittersweet reminder of a promising talent gone too soon.
