We have published the top chicago rappers of all time till 2025. This list of the best rappers from Chicago is the complete and final list you will ever see in the world.
Some of the best Illinois rappers come from the Windy City, which has been heavily influencing the rap scene over the years.
Chicago has long been a breeding ground for innovative and talented hip-hop artists, and its rich history in the genre continues to this day.
From the gritty storytelling of Common to the high-energy anthems of Chance the Rapper and the genre-bending style of Noname, Chicago’s rap scene boasts some of the most talented and unique voices in the game.
Despite all the Chicago rappers you should listen to, this post focuses on the best ones to check out.
Let’s see the 30 top chicago rappers who are the 2025’s best in USA
01. Kanye West
Net Worth: $1 Billion
Nationality: American
Born: June 8, 1977
Education: American Academy of Art College 1997–1997, Chicago State University
Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, fashion designer
Business: Donda, Yeezy (formerly)
Albums: Ye, Graduation, Donda, etc.
Spouse: Kim Kardashian (m. 2014; div. 2022)
Children: North West, Psalm West, Saint West, Chicago West
Kanye West is the best rapper from Chicago, USA in 2025. After his mother moved to Chicago when he was three, Kanye Omari West grew up in Chicago after his birth in Atlanta, Georgia.
It wasn’t until 2002 that West made the breakthrough hit “Through the Wire,” a reference to his wired shut jaw, after a serious car accident shattered West’s jaw.
It is a testament to West’s Chicago upbringing that one of his children was named after that city. He has released countless albums, mixtapes, and singles since then.
02. Lil Durk
Net Worth: $10 Million
Nationality: American
Born: October 19, 1992
Education: Paul Robeson High School
Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter
Albums: The Voice, Just Cause Y’all Waited 2, Signed to the Streets 3, etc.
Spouse: India Royale (engaged)
Children: Zayden Banks, Willow Banks, Angelo Banks, Skyler Banks, Bella Banks, Du’mier Banks
Lil Durk is the top Chicago rapper in 2025. Originally from Chicago, Lil Durk became known for sharing his raps on social media sites at a very young age due to his interest in rap.
His first run-in with the law occurred at 17, when he decided to drop out of high school to join the Blood Gang, a street gang in Chicago.
As of now he has released seven solo albums, plus an album with the collective Only the Family he founded, since his career began in 2011 with his first two singles, “Sneak Dissin'” and “I’ma Hitta.
03. King Louie
Net Worth: $8 Million
Nationality: American
Born: December 27, 1987
Education: Hyde Park Academy High School
Occupation: Rapper, Songwriter
Business: 20K The Producer
Albums: Drilluminati, Chiraq Drillinois, King Louie “Tony”, etc.
Spouse: Single
Children: Three Daughters
King Louie is one of the best rappers from Chicago in 2025. The name King Louie is derived from Lewis King Johnson, Jr., who was born in 1987 in Chicago and is considered the hip-hop hotbed of the year.
Among his many accomplishments, he has released two mixtapes, Boss Shit (2007) and Could 9 (2009), and has appeared on rap albums by such famous rappers as Kayne West, Soulja Boy, Chief Keef, and Fredo Santana.
Life With Louie, his latest album, was released in 2022, and has 22 mixtapes and albums to his credit over the past 15 years.
04. Juice WRLD
Net Worth: $5 Million
Nationality: American
Born: December 2, 1998
Died: December 8, 2019
Education: Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter
Albums: Legends Never Die, Goodbye & Good Riddance, Fighting Demons, etc.
Spouse: Ally Lotti
Children: No he did not
Juice WRLD is one of the top Chicago rappers in 2025. Born in Chicago in 1998, he was raised in the South Suburbs neighborhood of Chicago where he picked up his stage name Juice WRLD.
In 1999, Goodbye & Good Riddance became his first studio album after his mother enrolled him in piano lessons at the age of four.
When he was 11 years old, Juice WRLD began experimenting with drugs. Unfortunately, he was killed almost immediately by oxycodone and codeine intoxication a few days after he turned 21.
05. Femdot
Net Worth: $1 Million
Nationality: American
Born: 2000
Education: Homewood Flossmoor High School
Occupation: Rapper
Albums: Not for Sale, Delacreme 2, King Dilla, etc.
Spouse: Single
Children: No he did not
Femdot is a well known and one of the best Chicago rappers in 2025. Since his first album, Delacreme 2, came out in 2018, Femdot has been making a name for himself, making his way to the top of the Chicago rap scene.
Aside from tackling subject matters such as student loans and cigarettes rather than the more prevalent drug and gang violence topics, his lyrics are a little more wholesome than most rappers.
Despite being a new artist, he has made quite a name for himself with his chart-topping song, “94 Camry Music.”
06. Lil Bibby
Net Worth: $6 Million
Nationality: American
Born: July 18, 1994
Education: Illinois State University
Occupation: Rapper, songwriter, record executive, audio engineer
Albums: Free Crack, FC3 the Epilogue, Free Crack 2, etc.
Spouse: Cydney Christine
Children: No
The South Side neighborhood of Chicago is home to Lil Bibby, or Brandon George Dickinson. Lil Bibby is a top Chicago rapper who has a huge fame.
As an aspiring rap artist, Lil Bibby began recording in 2011 and released his debut mixtape, Free Crack, in 2013. Free Crack featured fellow Chicago rappers King Louie and Lil Derb.
The year after Lil Bibby founded Grade A Productions with his brother, Juice WRLD was discovered by the label.
07. Chief Keef
Net Worth: $1 Million
Nationality: American
Born: August 15, 1995
Education: Dulles Elementary School
Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer
Business: Glory Boyz
Albums: Finally Rich, Almighty So, Back from the Dead, etc.
Spouse: Not Found
Children: 9
His stage name, Chief Keef, comes from his deceased uncle, who had the nickname “Big Keef,” which he adopted after his birth. Chief Keef is one of the best Chicago rappers in 2025.
The rap, “I Don’t Like,” was remixed by Kayne West, after Chief Keef was placed under home arrest in 2011.
A number of record labels competed to sign Chief Keef to their labels after Kayne’s version was released in 2012.
08. Common
Net Worth: $50 Million
Nationality: American
Born: March 13, 1972
Education: Florida A&M University (BS), Winston-Salem State University
Occupation: Rapper, actor, songwriter
Business: Common Ground Foundation
Albums: Be, Like Water for Chocolate, Resurrection, etc.
Spouse: Erykah Badu (2000–2002)
Children: Omoye Assata Lynn
He began making music in high school in the late 1980s, and he was known as Common or Common Sense. Common is a common name of the top Chicago rappers in the USA.
Aside from rapping, Common has starred in big productions like American Gangster and Suicide Squad, and also appeared on television shows.
A Beautiful Revolution Part 2, released in 2021, received primarily positive reviews. Common has also modeled and is an avid activist.
09. Mick Jenkins
Net Worth: $5 Million
Nationality: American
Born: April 16, 1991
Education: Oakwood University (2012), Emil G. Hirsch Metropolitan High School
Occupation: Rapper, songwriter, record producer
Albums: The Waters, Elephant in the Room, Pieces of a Man, etc.
Spouse: Kenny (Girl Friend)
Children: He has no children
Since he was nine years old, Mick Jenkins has lived in Chicago, despite being born in Huntsville, Alabama. Mick Jenkins has a good position in the top 10 chicago rappers.
In 2012, Jenkins released The Mickstape, his first mixtape, and in 2016, he released his first album, The Healing Component.
Over the past couple of years, Jenkins has released six singles, one EP, and one studio album.
10. Twista
Net Worth: $10 Million
Nationality: American
Born: November 27, 1973
Education: Graduated
Occupation: Rapper, songwriter, record producer
Albums: Adrenaline Rush, Kamikaze, The Day After, etc.
Spouse: Rashida Mitchell (m. 1991)
Children: Aaliyah Mitchell
A native of West Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood, Twista is the stage name of Carl Terrell Mitchell. Twista also holds his name in the top 10 chicago rappers.
In 1992, Twista released his first album, Runnin’ Off at da Mouth, as Tung Twista, under his original stage name. Twista began rapping at age 12 and was already 18 years old when he released his first album as Tong Twista.
Twista’s latest album was released in 2019, and he has been active since then.
11. G Herbo
Net Worth: $5 Million
Nationality: American
Born: October 8, 1995
Education: Hyde Park Academy High School
Occupation: Rapper, songwriter
Albums: PTSD, Swervo, Humble Beast, etc.
Spouse: Taina Williams
Children: 2
G Herbo has a huge popularity in the list of the top Chicago rappers 2025. He has had many collaborations with Lil Bibby on songs, such as “Kill Shit,” which has received over 50 million views on YouTube. Herbert Randall Wright III was born in 1995 in Chicago and has collaborated with him on numerous songs.
Survivor’s Remorse, released by G Herbo in 2022, remained on the Billboard 200 for eight weeks and reached number nine. In 2025, G Herbo issued Survivor’s Remorse, which reached number 1.
12. Open Mike Eagle
Net Worth: $5 Million
Nationality: American
Born: November 14, 1980
Education: Young Magnet High School, Southern Illinois University
Occupation: Rapper
Albums: Component System with, Brick Body Kids Still, Anime, Trauma and Divorce, etc.
Spouse: Mike Eagle and his wife divorced in 2020
Children: He have one son
He started a group named Thirsty Fish in 2007 with fellow rappers Dumbfounded and Psychosiz. Their first album was entitled Testing the Waters, and it sold nearly 200,000 copies. Open Mike Eagle is one of the best rappers from Chicago.
Additionally, Open Mike Eagle hosts and co-hosts two podcasts of his own, and has guested on a variety of rappers’ albums, TV shows, and cartoons.
13. Vic Mensa
Net Worth: $2 Million
Nationality: American
Born: June 6, 1993
Education: Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer
Albums: Innanetape, 93PUNX, V TAPE, etc.
Spouse: Nadia Nakai
Children: 1 Grid
He has been rapping for the past nine years, forming the group Kids These Days that won first place in Congress Theater’s “Next Big Thing” contest in 2009. He was born in Chicago, in the Hyde Park neighborhood. Vic Mensa is also one of the top rappers from Chicago, USA.
As a solo artist and collaborative artist, Vic Mensa has released one solo studio album and one collaborative album since the group broke up in 2013. He appeared in Kayne West’s song “Wolves.”
14. Chance the Rapper
Net Worth: $40 Million
Nationality: American
Born: April 16, 1993
Education: Jones College Prep High School
Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer
Business: SocialWorks
Albums: Coloring Book, Acid Rap, The Big Day, etc.
Spouse: Kirsten Corley (m. 2019)
Children: Kensli Bennett, Marli Grace Bennett
Known as Chance the rapper or simply Chance, Chance Johnathan Bennett was born in Chicago in 1993. Chance the rapper came from a different background than most as his father worked for Barack Obama as a senator, and his mother worked for the Illinois Attorney General.
The UNICEF Chicago Humanitarian Award was awarded to Chance the Rapper in 2020 for his activism and his involvement in politics. Chance the Rapper is also one of the top rappers from Chicago in 2025.
There are only a few studio albums by Chance, but he has a lot of mixtapes and singles. Lil Wayne, Skrillex, and Kayne West are just a few of the artists who’ve collaborated with him.
15. Da Brat
Net Worth: $5 Million
Nationality: American
Born: April 14, 1974
Education: Kenwood Academy
Occupation: Rapper, actress
Albums: Funkdafied (1994)
Spouse: Jesseca Dupart (m. 2022)
Children: she never planned to have any kids
After winning a local rap contest in 1992, she began her career as a rapper. She grew up in Chicago and was born Shawntae Harris-Dupart in 1974. Da Brat is a top female rapper from Chicago in 2025.
Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliott, and Mariah Carey have collaborated with Da Brat on his top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
The singer has also appeared in six movies and countless television shows in addition to her musical work.
16. Polo G
Net Worth: $10 Million
Nationality: American
Born: January 6, 1999
Education: Wendell Phillips Academy High School
Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter, record executive
Albums: Die a Legend (2019)
Spouse: Crystal Blease (Girl Friend)
Children: 1
Born in Chicago’s Old Town in 1999, Taurus Tremani Bartlett is popularly known as Polo G. Polo G is a popular name in the list of best rappers from Chicago 2025.
Having grown up in Alabama, he has had multiple singles chart on the Billboard Hot 100, including his debut album Die a Legend, which peaked at number 6, as well as his second album The Goat, which peaked at number 2.
He has stated Tupac Shakar and Lil Wayne were two of his musical influences. Polo G is known for his lyrics that deal with sensitive topics like drugs and mental health.
17. Noname
Net Worth: $1 Million
Nationality: American
Born: September 18, 1991
Education: De La Salle Institute
Occupation: Rapper, songwriter, record producer, activist
Albums: Telefone, Room 25
Spouse: She is currently single
Children: She doesn’t have any children
The rapper Noname, born Fatimah Nyeema Warner, has been rapping since 1991. She has also produced records and written poetry. Noname is a well known figure in Best Chicago Rappers in 2025.
Since she first appeared on Chance the Rapper’s “Lost” track in 2013, she’s become more well-known.
Her other credits include guest appearances on songs by Chicago rappers Saba and Mick Jenkins, as well as a solo album and a mixtape.
18. Fredo Santana
Net Worth: $2 Million
Nationality: American
Born: July 4, 1990
Died: January 19, 2018
Education: Chino High School
Occupation: Rapper
Albums: Trappin Ain’t Dead
Spouse: Madelyn
Children: Legend Derrick Coleman
Fredo Santana is also one of the top rappers from Chicago in 2025. He is the older cousin of Chief Keef and was born Derrick Coleman in Chicago in 1990.
Trappin’ Ain’t Dead, his debut album, was released in 2013. He began releasing mixtapes between 2012 and 2013.
Sadly, Fredo Krueger died in early 2018 due to a fatal seizure caused by his heavy drug use shortly after releasing his second album.
19. Saba
Net Worth: $1 Million
Nationality: American
Born: July 17, 1994
Education: St. Joseph High School
Occupation: Rapper, record producer
Albums: Bucket List Project, Few Good Things
Spouse: He is currently single
Children: He has no children
When he was a teen, Tahj Malik Chandler began rapping under the name Saba and moved to Chicago. Saba is one of the best rappers from Chicago in the United States.
The first mixtape Saba released was GETCOMFORTABLE in 2012, which he teamed up with fellow Chicago rapper Mick Jenkins.
A record label he founded, Saba Pivot, LLC, released three mixtapes and two studio albums.
20. Calboy
Net Worth: $2 Million
Nationality: American
Born: April 3, 1999
Education: Chicago University
Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter
Albums: EP, Wildboy
Spouse: Not Sure
Children: Not Found
After moving from Chicago to Calumet City in 1999, Calvin Lashon Woods began rapping as a form of expression for his frustrations as a poor child.
Throughout the years, he has released a number of EPs as well as singles. His first three mixtapes came out between 2017 and 2018. Calboy is a top class Chicago rapper in the present time.
21. Lil Reese
Net Worth: $2 Million
Nationality: American
Born: January 6, 1993
Education: Lil Reese dropped out from his high school
Occupation: Rapper, songwriter
Albums: GetBackGang, Supa Savage, Don’t Like, etc.
Spouse: He has not married
Children: Aubri Taylor
Known by the stage name Lil Reese, Tavares Lamont Taylor was born in 1993 in Chicago. When he appeared on “I Don’t Like” by Chief Keef, he made his mark in the Chicago rap scene.
After releasing the singles “Us” and “Beef,” Lil Reese’s popularity grew. The song “Us” was remixed by Drake and Rick Ross for Rick Ross’ mixtape The Black Bar Mitzvah, which was released in 2013.
A day after being discharged from the hospital after being shot in the neck and having critical injuries, Lil Reese released the single “Come Outside” as a message to the people who shot him.
22. Joey Purp
Net Worth: $1 Million
Nationality: American
Born: August 3, 1993
Education: Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Occupation: Rapper
Albums: Quarterthing, iiiDrops, YOU AND THE MONEY, etc.
Spouse: He is currently single
Children: N/A
Originally from Chicago, Joey Purp came to realize his talent for freestyle rapping when he was in high school and dropped out of school to pursue rap music. He currently works at a clothing store to support himself. Joey Purp holds a good position in the list of top Chicago rappers in 2025.
iiiDrops, Purp’s second mixtape, dropped in 2016 and was featured on the year-end lists of Rolling Stone, Complex, and Pitchfork.
23. Famous Dex
Net Worth: $7 Million
Nationality: American
Born: September 6, 1993
Education: Paul Robeson High School
Occupation: Rapper
Albums: Dex Meets Dexter
Spouse: Unmarried
Children: No
A native of the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago’s South Side, Dexter Tiewon Gore Jr. was born in 1993 in New York City and raised in Chicago.
After a diagnosis of breast cancer at the young age of 22 prompted Famous Dex to seek a career as musician, he decided to pursue a music career as well. He has a pink ribbon tattoo on his face to commemorate the loss of her.
Rich Forever Music signed Famous Dex, who released nine more mixtapes under his label.
24. Earl Sweatshirt
Net Worth: $5 Million
Nationality: American
Born: February 24, 1994
Education: UCLA Lab School, Community Magnet Charter School
Occupation: Rapper, songwriter, record producer
Albums: Doris, Sick!, Some Rap Songs, etc.
Spouse: He is currently single
Children: 1
As Earl Sweatshirt, Thebe Neruda Kgositsile was born in Chicago in 1994. At 16, he released his first mixtape, Earl, which was widely praised. When his mother became aware of the release of the movie, she sent him to a Samoan school for at-risk teens, which interfered with his career.
A hip-hop prodigy, Earl Sweatshirt gained prominence in 2013 with the release of Doris, his debut album. Earl Sweatshirt is very popular in the list of top Chicago rappers in 2025.
25. Montana of 300
Net Worth: $15 Million
Nationality: American
Born: March 3, 1989
Education: Manual High School
Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter
Albums: Rap God, Cursed With a Blessing, Fire in the Church, etc.
Spouse: He is currently single
Children: Tony Bradford
His debut album Fire in the Church peaked at 95 on the Billboard 200 chart after he released it on May 20th, 2016. Montana of 300 was born Walter Anthony Bradford in 1987 in Chicago.
As a result, he has released an album every May 20th since then, although that only lasted three years.
Several delays preceded the release of Montana’s most recent album in 2022.
26. Psalm One
Net Worth: $5 Million
Nationality: American
Born: July 1, 1980
Education: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Occupation: Rapper
Albums: Bigg Perrm, The Death of Frequent Flyer, Flight of the Wig, etc.
Spouse: Not Found
Children: Not Found
In 1980, Cristalle Bowen was born in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, better known as Psalm One and Hologram Kizzie. Psalm One is a top rapper in Chicago.
Upon graduating from the University of Illinois, she earned her degree in chemistry and released her first album, Bio: Chemistry, in 2002.
Aside from 12 albums, Psalm One has released three mixtapes, seven EPs, seven singles, and made numerous guest appearances throughout his career.
27. Rockie Fresh
Net Worth: $5 Million
Nationality: American
Born: April 16, 1991
Education: Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School
Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter
Albums: Electric Highway, Fresh Veggies, Destination, etc.
Spouse: He is currently single
Children: He has no children
Don Howard Pullen grew up in Chicago and is known professionally as Rockie Fresh.
Patrick Stump of Fallout Boy and the Madden brothers of Good Charlotte were among the artists who recognized his first album, Rockie’s Modern Life, released in 2009.
As a result of his 2010 release The Otherside, he was named one of Metromix’s “Hottest 25 Artists Under 25.” Rockie Fresh continues to record and perform in the Chicago music scene until 2021, when his last album is scheduled for release.
28. Lupe Fiasco
Net Worth: $6 Million
Nationality: American
Born: February 16, 1982
Education: Thornton Township High School
Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur
Business: Japanese Cartoon
Albums: Food & Liquor, Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool, Lasers, etc.
Spouse: Danielle Evans (Girlfriend)
Children: nine children
Originally from Chicago, Wasalu Muhammad Jaco – better known as Lupe Fiasco – began making music at the age of 18 in his father’s basement. At 19, he formed the group Da Park, which Epic Records later signed. Lupe Fiasco has a position in the best rappers from Chicago 2025.
In his hip-hop, he rejects the misogynist attitudes that exist in hip-hop.
Aside from being a musician, Lupe Fiasco has also established many businesses and become a philanthropist.
29. King Von
Net Worth: $1 Million
Nationality: American
Born: August 9, 1994
Died: November 6, 2020
Education: South Suburban College, Hyde Park Academy High School
Occupation: Rapper, songwriter
Albums: Welcome to O’Block, Levon James, What It Means To Be King, etc.
Spouse: King Von is single
Children: King Von had two children
He was arrested for first-degree murder and attempted murder at just 14 years old, but he was later released.
The hit single “Crazy Story” was released by King Von in 2018 on Lil Durk’s record label.
In 2020, he released a debut album. On November 6 of that same year, he was shot and killed. His album, What It Means to Be King, was released posthumously.
30. No I.D
Net Worth: $10 Million
Nationality: American
Born: June 23, 1971
Education: High School
Occupation: Music producer
Albums: The Sampler, vol. 1, No I.D. Accept Your Own and Be Yourself (The Black Album)
Spouse: Not Found
Children: Not Found
No I.D. is the backward spelling of the middle name of Ernest Dion Wilson, who was born in 1971 in Chicago. No I.D is a popular rappers from Chicago.
He earned the nickname “The Godfather of Chicago Hip Hop” after releasing his first album in 1996 and mentoring many young artists, including Kayne West and J. Cole.
Besides producing records, No I.D. is also one of the most prolific Jay-Z producers, topping Timbaland and Just Blaze.
Top Chicago Rappers, Final Thoughts
It is no secret that Chicago rap has flourished since the 1980’s, which has led to an extensive list of top Chicago rappers.
It may just inspire you to write some raps if that inspires you to choose an artist from this list next time you’re in the mood for some solid beats and heavy-hitting lyrics.
Getting your music out there and making money from it won’t matter if you don’t know how to get your music out there. Want to learn how? Get our free ebook “5 Steps To Profitable Youtube Music Career” emailed to you.