What’s next? It’s the single question that encapsulates the forward-thinking attitude of hip-hop culture. Rap fans, artists, and critics revel in the genre’s rich history and often wax nostalgic but, above all, we want what is new and exciting—the people who embody rap’s ever-changing cultural shifts. In that spirit, we’ve compiled a list of 10 artists who are poised to become part of rap’s pantheon.

Megan Thee Stallion

With two mixtapes and a few heart-stopping freestyles, Houston native Megan Thee Stallion has already proven her bona fides. The draw is all in her heart-racing flow, employed on last year’s excellent, Pimp C-nodding Tina Snow. She uses every breath in her body to cut you down to size (“Tina Montana”) or steal your man (“Big Ole Freak”), all while remaining utterly unbothered. With major co-signs from artists like Wale and Q-Tip, a new project on the way, and, as of last month, a new label in 300 Entertainment, Megan is poised to dominate—all while still earning her degree at Texas Southern University. –Eric Torres

Bbymutha

Iconoclastic Chattanooga, Tennessee native Bbymutha also calls herself the “Black Marge Simpson” because she’s a real-life mom to two sets of twins. Fiercely feminist, she’s not afraid to rap ruthlessly about her sex life, open up about being abused by men and exploited by record labels, and promote her agenda to “Kill All Rapists.” She’ll sample the adorable antics of her children, go off on a Grimes beat, and do it all while rocking rainbow braids and Marilyn Manson-esque white contacts. Over the past couple of years, she’s put out a steady stream of well-received projects including Muthaz Day 3 and her Christmas release, The Bastard Tape, Vol. 1. She’s currently prepping her next project, muthaland, for release this February. –Michelle Kim

Coi Leray

Coi Leray only just started to make waves on the internet, but one of her oldest YouTube videos dates back to 2011. The clip, directed by her dad, Benzino (yes, of The Source and “Love & Hip Hop” fame), features a brace-face, pre-teen Leray rapping to a T-Pain-type beat. Now 20-years-old, she’s come a long way since her “Benzino’s Kids” days. Last winter, the New Jersey native re-emerged on SoundCloud as a confident, trash talking 20 year old. And after releasing her EverythingCoz mixtape this spring, Leray has only proven that she’s getting rapidly better. On her latest hit “Huddy,” Leray is slick-tongued and mischievous, spitting with the pointed cadence of YBN Nahmir and the infectiously fun attitude of Kodie Shane. Still not convinced? Just check out her great videos where you can see her dripped out, dancing alongside ice cream trucks, riding ATVs, or stomping on blow-up dolls. –Michelle Kim

ALLBLACK

Offbeat flows are shaking up hip-hop everywhere from L.A. to Detroit these days, but if you want find the epicenter of unorthodox rap styles then you need to go to the Bay. Hailing from East Oakland, ALLBLACK has positioned himself as a leader of a resurgent Bay Area rap scene with off-kilter slaps like “Pod 22.” Combining pimp gospel with football lingo to describe his life as an Oakland hustler, he’s alternately aggressive and genial; there’s ice water in his veins on songs like “Canadian Goose,” but he begins and ends tracks expressing gratitude with his catchphrase, “Thank you for fuckin’ with me.” 2018 saw ALLBLACK releasing his Outcalls project and collaborating with producer du jour Kenny Beats to release the high-energy EP 2 Minute Drills. This year, expect to see him coming to national prominence as our ears become more attuned to artists who rap to the beat of their own drums. –Timmhotep Aku

Mutant Academy

Mutant Academy is a self-sustaining collective of rappers, beatmakers, DJs, and artists hailing from a burgeoning Richmond, Virginia rap scene. Most of their music is made in-house at every level, and they’ve embedded themselves in their local rap community. Founded by rappers Fly Anakin and Henny L.O. in 2009, and featuring members like Tuamie, Big Kahuna OG, Foisey., Ewonee, and more, the prolific crew has cultivated its own sound of lo-fi, off-brand, sample-based grooves with witty classicist raps to match. After teeing up last year with the beat tape RODnTODD GO TO HEAVEN from Unlucky Bastards and Graymatter, two collaborative EPs from Fly Anakin and Big Kahuna OG, and a team-up between Fly Anakin and lo-fi pioneer Ohbliv, this tightly wound, hometown operation seems bound to take a quantum leap forward. –Sheldon Pearce

Key Glock

There’s much ado about Memphis rap right now, and rightfully so. Whether you chalk it up to producer Tay Keith’s hit-filled 2018, Young Dolph’s ascent to urban legend status, Blac Youngsta’s antics, or the seemingly never-ending nostalgia for Three 6 Mafia’s sound, it’s clear that the Tennessee city is making an outsize contribution to hip-hop. When we talk about Memphis in 2019 we will have to talk about Key Glock. Born Markeyvius Cathey, the 20-year-old with the booming voice is a reminder that, in addition to hard beats and effortless swag, Memphis artists can bar out with the best of them. Key Glock’s style is all his own yet it fits in the in the stylistic tradition of Project Pat and 8ball & MJG before him: He gives us bars infused with bombast and street wisdom delivered through various in-pocket flows. And though he’s signed to Dolph’s Paper Route Empire imprint, Glock doesn’t rely on co-signs, keeping big name collabs to a minimum and delivering solo hits like “Russian Cream.” Memphis rap’s legacy is in good hands. –Timmhotep Aku

Blueface

Blueface’s offbeat bars are like run-on sentences, and his voice often veers into a high-pitched squeal. But the viral L.A. rapper with two undeniably consistent mixtapes, Famous Cryp and Two Coccy, proved that all of the traits that have made him into rap’s most polarizing character are actually positives. Blueface stands out by loading his music with moments and lyrics that are absurd enough to turn him into a walking meme (see: “Her ass look like two midgets in a sleeping bag”). But unlike most memeable stars, Blueface’s virality is never forced. And whether he’s getting booed at a Lil Uzi show or mocking fans who hate on his flow in a freestyle, he’s always extremely aware of his critiques. But Blueface doesn’t care, he just wants to keep making hits. Which is why everyone—including a thirsty Drake—is hopping on the bandwagon. –Alphonse Pierre

Lil Tjay

The nexus of grown-up experience and youthful immaturity is part of coming of age in New York City, and that unique type of adolescence informs the music of 17-year-old Bronx rapper Lil Tjay. He is able to make bubbly teen love songs (“None of Your Love”) and deliver hard street tales about growing up in the Bronx (“Brothers”). Tjay distinguishes himself with a melodic voice which, despite the A Boogie comparisons, isn’t crutched on Auto-Tune, as he often opts to use his unaltered voice to rap-sing on tracks. It has contributed to Tjay’s quick ascent on both SoundCloud and YouTube, as he continues to set himself on the course for pop stardom. –Alphonse Pierre

Quin NFN

Whenever Austin, Texas rapper Quin NFN gets the opportunity to grace a new online platform, fans are immediately attracted to his vibrant, shit-talking energy. In 2017, the 17-year-old rapper was introduced to the Texas scene through posts on Say Cheese TV and he’s recently skyrocketed from his music videos being hosted on Jmoney1041’s popular YouTube channel. The wave is the melody-free, bass-heavy style, and few are more comfortable with those instrumentals than Quin. It’s why, for the first time, Austin is not living in the hip-hop shadows of Houston and Dallas, as the city prepares for a moment on the back of Quin NFN. –Alphonse Pierre

Sada Baby

Sada Baby is the shoulder shimmying, ad-lib virtuoso and the quintessential face for a thriving Detroit hip-hop scene. For years, the drug-fueled dancing, funk, and rapid pace of Detroit rap has had trouble reaching an audience outside of the Motor City, but through an outrageous personality, Sada Baby has broken down that barrier. Songs like the two-stepping anthem “Bloxk Party” and the ad-lib showcase “Pimp Named Drip Dat” have displayed that Sada is much more than an animated personality, but someone who can spit as well as his city’s best. –Alphonse Pierre