The Sound of Philadelphia
Philadelphia has always been a heavyweight in the rap game, but the new wave of Philly Drill is taking things to a whole different level. It’s raw, it’s fast-paced, and it’s got a grit that only the City of Brotherly Love can produce.
If you’re looking to update your playlist, here is a deep dive into 20 artists defining the Philly scene right now.
This isn’t just a neighborhood; it’s the heartbeat of the Philly hood scene, a place where the concrete tells more stories than the news ever could.
1. Skrilla
- From: Kensington
- Set: Often associated with the Zoo Gang and has strong ties to the Kensington streets.
- Hits: “Bootman,” “Mind Blown,” and “Stoopid Eating.”
- Claim to Fame: Known for his unique, high-energy flow and being a key figure in the “zombie land” aesthetic of Kensington rap. He recently dropped the album Life Or Death in 2026.
2. OT7 Quanny
- From: North Philly
- Set: Works closely with various North Philly collectives; often linked with the 07 movement.
- Hits: “Write a Book,” “Dog Talk,” and “Dame Lillard.”
- Claim to Fame: Quanny is the king of “scam rap” and drill fusion. His laid-back, almost whispering delivery makes his gritty lyrics hit even harder.
3. Leaf Ward
- From: West Philly
- Set: Often associated with the Tasker area.
- Hits: “They Forgot,” “Stay Down,” and “Real Life.”
- Claim to Fame: Widely considered one of the best lyricists in the city. He’s known for his “pain music”—rap that focuses on the struggles of the street life rather than just the hype.
4. Lil Buckss
- From: West Philly
- Set: 024 / CCK (Cousins Cooking Kilos).
- Hits: “Hood Hopper,” “Gas On Me,” and “30 Clip.”
- Claim to Fame: A pioneer of the modern Philly drill sound. He’s known for his aggressive “switchy” talk and high-speed delivery.
5. YBCDul
- From: West Philly
- Set: YBC (Young Bag Chasers).
- Hits: “So Many Names,” “Dynamic Duo,” and “I Miss Zomb.”
- Claim to Fame: The face of the YBC movement. He is famous for his controversial “disstracks” and being a central figure in one of the city’s most talked-about street rivalries.
6. SimxSantana
- From: South Philly
- Set: D4M (District 4 Most).
- Hits: “Flexing n’ Flashing,” “Cannabis,” and “Huntin.”
- Claim to Fame: He put Philly drill on the national map when “Flexing n’ Flashing” went viral. He brought a melodic, “bop” element to the heavy drill sound.
7. Poundside Pop
- Set: Zoo Gang.
- From: North Philly
- Hits: “Ooh Wee,” “Drippin,” and “Hood Hopper.”
- Claim to Fame: Famous for his public “beef” with Meek Mill on social media, which solidified his status as a rebel in the city’s rap hierarchy.
8. D4M $loan
- From: West Philly
- Set: D4M (District 4 Most).
- Hits: “Swagg Talk,” “Drive Who Crazy,” and “Vikinggg.”
- Claim to Fame: Following the passing of his partner D4M Skiano, Sloan has carried the torch for the D4M movement, blending Philly club music energy with drill.
9. Toure
- From: West Philly
- Set: Independent / West Philly associations.
- Hits: “A.T.R.,” “Federal,” and “Plug Talk.”
- Claim to Fame: Toure is the “soul” of the Philly scene. He balances the drill energy with smooth, melodic hooks that appeal to a wider audience.
10. G12 Zah
- From: Olney (North Philly)
- Set: G12 / Dope Records.
- Hits: “Gangsta Party,” “Stay Down,” and “In This Life.”
- Claim to Fame: Known for his frequent collaborations with Lil Muk and NSU Sheedo, creating a “North Philly Supergroup” vibe whenever they drop.
11. NSU Sheedo
- From: North Philly
- Set: NSU (Never Stop Upping).
- Hits: “Outside,” “Gangsta Party,” and “Talk My Sh*t.”
- Claim to Fame: A core member of the NSU collective, Sheedo is known for his consistent output and gritty storytelling about the North Philly blocks.
12. Hood Tali (GG)
- From: Northwest Philly (Mount Airy)
- Set: GG (Glizzy Gang / Great Grinds).
- Hits: “Mr. Switchy,” “Frank Matthews,” and “Trapnana.”
- Claim to Fame: One of the most polarizing figures in the city. His “Mr. Switchy” persona helped popularize the use of rapid-fire “switch” flows in Philly drill.
13. HopOutBlick
- From: Germantown
- Set: YBC (Young Bag Chasers).
- Hits: “Torcher Party,” “Dead People,” and “Switxhy Gang.”
- Claim to Fame: A high-intensity rapper who is a staple in the YBC videos. He is known for the “Torcher” movement and his high-speed lyrical style.
14. Berkstmanman
- From: North Philly (Berks St)
- Set: Berks St.
- Hits: “Like WTF,” “Get Over,” and “Berks St Flow.”
- Claim to Fame: A legendary figure in the North Philly scene whose career was tragically cut short, but his influence remains a foundation for the current drill wave.
15. Hoodfamous J
- From: South Philly
- Set: Associated with South Philly collectives.
- Hits: “Wawa Cup,” “Starter’s Dead,” and “Ruthless Vibes.”
- Claim to Fame: Known for his “Wawa Cup” anthem, which leaned into a uniquely Philly cultural staple to create a viral street hit.
16. Cha Glizzy
- From: South Philly
- Set: Glizzy Gang.
- Hits: “Letter to the City,” “No Hook,” and “Street Gospel.”
- Claim to Fame: A heavy hitter from South Philly known for his raw, unfiltered look at the violence and reality of the streets.
17. 100K Track
- From: Southwest Philly (Philly-based management/artist).
- Set: 100K Management.
- Hits: “100k Cypher,” “No Love,” and “Track Still.”
- Claim to Fame: While famously known as a manager for YNW Melly, he has a strong presence in the Philly scene, bridging the gap between local talent and national stars.
18. ZahSosaa
- From: North Philly
- Set: Independent / North Philly.
- Hits: “Shake Fast,” “Opp Pack,” and “Top Tier.”
- Claim to Fame: One of the early leaders of the “Philly Bop” movement, blending drill with danceable beats and catchy catchphrases.
19. Lay Bankz
- From: Philadelphia
- Set: Independent (Pop-Drill crossover).
- Hits: “Tell Ur Girlfriend,” “Na Na Na,” and “Ick.”
- Claim to Fame: The “Queen of Philly” right now. She successfully bridged the gap between Philly Drill/Club and TikTok stardom, making her the city’s biggest crossover act in years.
20. FS Da Bender
- From: West Philly
- Set: YBC / Young Bag Chasers.
- Hits: “Need That,” “Murder Rate,” and “Killas’ Association.”
- Claim to Fame: The “Bender” himself. Known for his menacing voice and incredibly dark drill tracks, he is a primary architect of the “YBC” sound that dominated 2024-2026.
Note: The Philly scene moves fast, and new names pop up every day. This list represents the foundation of the current sound that’s echoing through the neighborhoods of North, South, West, and Southwest Philly!
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