Real Rap: Top Philly Artists to Look for in 2025

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Philly has been historically known for breeding the best rappers. The new wave has taken it up a notch by keeping themselves honest to not only the bars side of hip-hop but the creativity. From unique melodies, to bars on club beats, the delivery and cadence that you hear from these artists in the city are one of a kind.

The city of brotherly love and sisterly affection is looking to have a promising year in music. The question is, who will make the most noise? The evolution of the Philly sound has changed much more recently than in years prior. We have seen acts like Beanie Sigel and Meek Mill keep the original Philly sound alive. The new wave of Philly artists like Lay Bankz and D Sturdy have helped push the envelope in what we know as the true “Philly Rapper”. This list consists of Philadelphia-based artists that we anticipate will have a big 2025.

Lay Bankz

Lay Bankz has been a consistent player representing the Philadelphia music scene. From rocking music festivals to making history becoming the first female signee for a sportswear brand, Bankz has had an incredible 2024. We expect nothing less than greatness from the Princess of Philly.

Check out Lay Bankz on Instagram [CLICK HERE]

DJ Crazy

Club Music is continuing to skyrocket and at the center of it stands DJ Crazy. One of the biggest contributors in the genre right now, the Baltimore born, Philly-raised DJ has had some of the biggest hits of last year, not to mention his Shake Dhat movement gone worldwide, with the biggest celebrities including Beyoncé rock their hips.

DJ Crazy has a collaboration with almost everyone on this list and nearly every club artist in Philly. Crazy’s work ethic is in a class of its own and we expect nothing but great things to come in 2025.

Check out DJ Crazy on Instagram [CLICK HERE]

D Sturdy

A main player in the Philadelphia music scene, D Sturdy has remained in the conversation of noisemakers in the area. D Sturdy is still in alignment with the Philly Goats, but we expect some singles success from the X-Factor.

Zeddy Will

Zeddy Will has had the club music scene in a chokehold! His singles continue to chart on TikTok and notable DSP curated playlists. If he continues this trend, Zeddy Will has the potential to have a breakout year in 2025.

Check out Zeddy Will on Instagram [CLICK HERE]

Ohthatsizz & Sturdyyoungin

This dynamic duo came onto the scene last year taking full advantage of their viral song ‘BUMBAA’ that became a nationwide sensation on social media. Ohthatsizz & Sturdyyoungin should continue to give us more music as their young careers have just begun.

Check out Ohthatsizz on Instagram [CLICK HERE]

Check out Sturdyyoungin on Instagram [CLICK HERE]

Dejhha

Dejhha is an up-and-coming artist who’s been all over social media torching everybodys platform with the hottest bars! Dehhja isn’t even old enough to buy a bottle and can rap circles around people who have been rapping for 20 years. Dehhja is in line to run it up in 2025.

Check out Dejhha on Instagram [CLICK HERE]

SheedTS

After impressive production in 2024, SheedTS has not let his foot off the gas. The Philly-born rapper started 2024 off with the whole hood missing their exes, screaming “Thinking I should call you and try to make it work!”. SheedTS released ‘Luv is War’ at the top of 2024, can we be expecting another hood banger to send us into summer 2025?

Check out SheedTS on Instagram [CLICK HERE]

Maskdownmar

Maskdownmar has been trending for quite some time with his earliest hit ‘CREEPA’ coming in 2022. His career has seen a couple of and pitstops due to multiple stints in prison, but Maskdownmar is a free man in 2025. Dropping a track on the first day of the year, Maskdownmar looks fully focused on ascending his music career.

Check out Maskdownmar on Instagram [CLICK HERE]

Ki From Jerome

After a quiet 2024, Ki From Jerome released a visual to close out the year. We expect Ki From Jerome to do what he said in ‘Familiar Territory’ and ‘Given em the best me’ in 2025.

Check out Ki From Jerome on Instagram [CLICK HERE]

Skrilla

Check out Skrilla on Instagram [CLICK HERE]

One of the biggest underground artist in Philly has started the year off talkin like a ‘Big Opp’. Skrilla lost one of his good friends YBCDul last year and was almost killed while clearing his mind on a trip to Chicago. I

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Real Rap: Philly Artists to Look for in 2025