Top Atlanta Rappers – Ludacris
28 year old Chris “Ludacris” Bridges has made it big as a rapper. On his website, Ludacris is quoted as saying that he hopes his music is more mature and three-dimensional than other rappers. He has demonstrated this with his controversial song “Runaway Love,” which features Mary J. Blige. The song is about a young girl who flees her home to escape beatings from her drunken step-father. According to his website, Ludacris wants to do something about the high numbers of black men in jail. In his track, “Do Your Time,” Ludacris raps about the realities of jail, rather than glamorizing it as many other rappers do.
Top Atlanta Rappers – OutKast
With tracks like “Welcome to Atlanta,” OutKast makes their Atlanta connections clear. MTV’s website’s biography of the group gives the original names of “Dré” and “Big Boi” as André Benjamin and Antwan Patton. They went to high school together in Eastpoint, Atlanta, where they discovered each others’ rapping talents and formed the group. They have been producing tracks since 1994. The track “Mrs. Jackson” was their first number one pop hit. Following that, they released the number one singles “Hey Ya” and “The Way You Move.” Despite rumors of breaking up, the two released the movie Idlewild, along with the soundtrack to the movie.
Top Atlanta Rappers – Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz
Lil Jon, whose real name is Jonathan Smith, grew up and attended high school in Atlanta, Georgia. This rapper is a fan of the Atlanta Thrashers, the local NHL team, and can often be spotted at games in the Phillips Arena. Lil Jon hopes to spread his love of the sport among the African-American community. His son plays hockey in a junior league.
His rapper repertoire includes many hit tracks, such as “Salt Shaker,” “Snap Yo Fingers,” and “Get Low.”
Top Atlanta Rappers – T.I.
This rapper goes by the full title of T.I. King of the South, but T.I.’s real name is Clifford Harris. His other nickname, Tip, is more commonly used among his friends and he has used it since his Atlanta childhood.
The winner of two Grammies, T.I.’s popularity continues to grow with each new release. He has appeared on records like “Soldier” by Destiny’s Child and Justin Timberlake’s “My Love.” Noted tracks of his include “Rubber Band Man,” “You Know What It Is,” and his first single, “Big Things Poppin.”
Top Atlanta Rappers – Dem Franchize Boyz
Yet another Atlanta rap group is Dem Franchize Boyz. Their hot track “Lean Wit It, Lean Wit It” is quoted in other rappers’ tracks. Their official website claims that their music gives “insight” into their lives in Atlanta, by describing the type of clothes worn there and the popular activities.
The four group members grew up in west Atlanta, and formed Dem Franchize Boyz during their time together in high school and university.
