Rappers with proud Hispanic heritages, like Cuban American lyricist Eskeerdo and Cuban Venezuelan rhymer Bernz of ¡Mayday!, are spearheading the Latin movement in hip-hop. Meanwhile, rising Hispanic stars of the underground like Pouya, Gill Graff, and Bobby Biscayne are singlehandedly changing the definition of what it means to be a Latin rapper.
As they hold down the English-speaking market, fresh international sensations, like Maybach Music Latino’s Anuel AA and Jasiel Faraon, are making waves throughout South Florida, the Caribbean, and beyond.
Get to know these rappers who are bringing their rhymes to the forefront of Miami’s hip-hop scene in English y en Español.
10. ER305
Little Havana’s own ER305 has been making a name
9. Bobby Biscayne
Bobby Biscayne is on a mission to become the glue that keeps Dade County’s budding rap scene united as one. Recently, he dropped the visual adaptation of his song “Cream,” in which he shows us how he rolls through the lavish streets of South Beach. The Cuban American rhymer spends his days recording at the illustrious Circle House studio and has even caught the attention of Mr. Worldwide himself, whom he's been lucky enough to collaborate with. But Bobby's mission, as he told us back in march, is to work with all artists from Miami in an effort to support one another and work together. As he puts in work for his debut project, Bobby Biscayne may be able to achieve his goals in the music industry in the near future.
8. Bernz
Bernz is a veteran compared to many rookies on this list. The rapper got his start in music while slinging rhymes with the rap-rock collective ¡Mayday! that is currently signed to Tech N9ne’s Strange Music label. Although he wrapped up his round of shows with the band during Tech N9ne’s most recent Independent Powerhouse Tour, the Cuban and Venezuelan emcee has recently decided to embark on a solo career. The Miami native dropped his first solo LP, See You on the Other Side, which features his label mates Tech N9ne, Murs, Krizz Kaliko, former Funk Volume MC Jarren Benton, and, of course, his ¡Mayday! partner Wrekonize.
7. Gill Graff
Gill Graff has been on the radar in Dade County since he released his breakthrough mixtape, Therapeutic, in 2012, which features singer Anjuli Stars, Boston rapper REKS, and others. Graff followed up with his Outliers mixtape later that year. In 2015, the Venezuelan emcee dropped off his most recent tape, Let Me Fail, which includes his collaboration with Emilio Rojas of New York City called “Crown” as well as other joint tracks with Vinny Cha$e and Anjuli Stars. This year has been scattered with new music from the Homestead resident, including his latest single, “Man Down.” Be on the look out for Graff’s forthcoming project, Hidden in Plain Sight.
6. Pouya
The underground hip-hop scene in Miami wouldn’t be the same without Kevin Pouya. The rapper of Cuban and Persian descent has contributed to the rise of the new generation of internet rappers we've seen in the last two years. Since his breakthrough mixtape Baby Bone rocked the internet, Pouya has been garnering global attention. His slick rhymes keep the spirit of his native city alive in songs like “FLAwda” and “Loyal to My Soil." Not long after releasing his well-received Underground Underdog mixtape, the 20-year-old emcee is already at work on his next project, which will have ten songs with no features.
5. Eskeerdo
Alexander "Eskeerdo" Izquierdo got his start in the music industry as “Xplicit,” who was one of five members of the Miami-based platinum production and writing team the Monsters & the Strangerz. He penned hit songs for your favorite artists over the years, from Big Sean to Rihanna. Now, the Grammy award-winning songwriter hailing from the deep depths of Hialeah has built a solid rap career that’s quickly picking up momentum. Since the release of his 31 Days mixtape, Eskeerdo has been dropping bars about his hard-knock life growing up surrounded by the poverty and crime that struck his childhood neighborhood in songs like “For My City,” a track off his self-titled EP. As his most recent single, “Weekend Behavior,” dominates the airwaves throughout the country, he continues to craft lyrics for pop stars like Jason Derulo and Fifth Harmony. In regard to his rap career, Eskeerdo is ready to make moves for his fans and people of Cuban heritage with the release of his next project, Cuban Jesus.
4. Jasiel Faraon
Florida's rising Dominican rhymer Jasiel Faraon is quickly gaining notoriety in South Florida. The 27-year-old rapper, originally hailing from Bridgeport, Connecticut, integrates his city-slicker flow over hard-hitting hip-hop and reggaeton beats that flaunt his versatility. Within the past few years, he's shaken Latin communities across the country with songs like "Perro Callejero" and "No Dejes Que Te Cuente" as well as his Immigrante mixtape. Since dropping off Spanish freestyles to major hits like Drake’s “Summer Sixteen,” Faraon's music has been spreading throughout the east coast and the Caribbean. Currently, he's working on his followup mixtape to Immigrante.
3. Anuel AA
Anuel AA may still be on the rise, but his impact on Latin hip-hop is becoming stronger by the day. The young lyricist straight out of Puerto Rico started his career by dropping remixes of major rap songs like Ty Dolla $ign’s “Or Nah” and Drake’s “Hold on We’re Going Home” via SoundCloud. After collaborating with seasoned reggaeton artists and producers like Tainy and Jory, Anuel eventually impressed Maybach Music CEO Rick Ross enough for him to bring Anuel into his label under his newly established imprint Maybach Music Latino. Although he ran into legal troubles earlier this year, Anuel’s career is definitely one to watch out for. His latest track, “Tentandome,” has already garnered over 378,000 plays on SoundCloud. "Boricua" is also set to drop off his forthcoming joint project with reggaeton veteran Baby Rasta, Diablita, this month.
2. Almighty
Puerto Rican rapper Almighty is the latest sensation to come out of Carolina, Puerto Rico. His claim to fame stems from his Spanish remix of Desiigner’s “Panda,” featuring Farruko, Daddy Yankee, and Cosculluela that has been played in just about every Latin club throughout Dade county. With his music garnering international attention, Almighty continues to pump out dope collaborations with revered Hispanic MCs like Ñengo Flow, Farruko, and plenty more. Recently, Almighty’s unique remix placed on the Billboard charts, debuting at No. 41 on the Hot Latin Songs chart. It’s safe to say Almighty has a prominent career in the Latin rap scene ahead of him.
1. Bryant Myers
Bryant Myers is a rookie who shouldn't be underestimated. The Puerto Rican began to gain momentum at the top of 2016 with the release of his single “Porque Sigues Con El.” Since then, he’s remained constant by hopping on records with Baby Rasta, Puerto Rican rapper Anonimus, and even Fugees legend Wyclef Jean. The 18-year-old rapper fuses his Spanish bars with Puerto Rico’s interpretation of trap music. Hard-hitting tracks like “En Otra Dimension” and “Esclava” are pure indications that the Carolina native is making moves to update Latin music in a different direction to the commercial reggaeton sound.
