As I was watching BET the other night, some friends and I were having a discussion about the best underground rappers from the South. So I decided if I was going to make a list of the best, what is the one word I can think of to judge them by? And the word I came up with was consistency. Let’s see who on this list meets this criteria.
1. Pastor Troy- Residing out of Augusta, Ga & arguably one of the most controversial underground rap artist of his time. Pastor Troy stormed onto the scene with the 1999 with his smash hit single “We Ready” (I Declare War) attacking Master P, which some people say he successfully ended Master P’s rap career. No underground rap artist has released more music than Mr. Troy himself. With 23 albums as a solo artist and 3 albums with his group D.S.G.B in a 12-year carrier. No one can possibly disagree with Pastor troy being on the list.
2. Project Pat- This Tennessee representa was the main reason the song “Sippin on Some Sizzurp” by Three 6 Mafia was a hit. Known for his legal troubles with the law, Project Pat exploded onto the on his third solo album with the mega ton hit single off of the 2001 Mista Don’t Play album “Chicken Head”! This record was a classic in the South. With eight studio albums and ten mix tapes later. Project Pat is still a force to be reckoned with.
3. Bun B- Hailing out of Port Arthur, Texas, Bun B is historically known to the world as one half of UGK. Bun B is by far and I mean by far the most influential and lyrically acclaimed well-known rappers throughout the hip-hop industry. With a silky smooth baritone delivery Bun B will run circles around the average MC. The world as we know it found out just how cold he was on Jay Z’s “Big Pimpin” song off of the Life & Times of S. Carter album. That was by far one of the best verses on the song. With a classic album under his belt ” Trill OG” and three solo albums combined. There is no way we can deny the Under Ground King from being on this list.
4. BG- Born and raised in the mean streets of New Orleans, B.G. is one of the most underrated and forgotten about underground rappers from the south. But this man has a serious catalogue. From the albums Chopper City, It’s All on You Vol. 1 & Vol. 2, Get It How U Live and Guerrilla Warfare with the group Hot Boys, Chopper City In The Ghetto, & Checkmate, (all with Cash Money Records). To the Independent albums Living Legend, Life After Cash Money, The Heart of tha Streetz, Vol.1 & The Heart of tha Streetz, Vol.2 (I Am What I Am) and numerous other albums. With fourteen albums to his catalogue combined, ten as a solo artist & two as part of the Hot Boyz & two with Chopper City Boyz. B.G.’s catalogue speaks for itself.
5. Lil Boosie- Known for his gritty street rap style and his run ins with the law, Lil Boosie aka Boosie Bad Azz has been in the rap game for over ten years now. From his first debut feature on C-Loc’s 2000 album “It’s A Gamble,” to his first 2003 solo debut with Trill Entertainment “For My Thugz”. Lil Bossie has been consistent through out the years. Lil Boosie recorded two more solo albums, one in 2006 entitled “Bad Azz” and the other in 2009 called “Super Bad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz”. With several collaboration albums with label mate Lil Weebie under his belt, Lil Bossie has proven to be one of the best underground rappers from the South.
6. Young Buck- From Nashville, Tennessee, Young Buck first started out with Cash Money Records and eventually would end up leaving the label with label mate Juvenile in the year 2000 to go to UTP Records. But his carrier didn’t take off until he met NY rapper 50 Cent and then he later sign to G-Unit. Young Buck then featured on 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Trying album. He later on dropped “Straight Outta Cashville” where he released the smash hit single off of the album ” Shorty Wanna Ride With Me” and that established Young Buck as a force in the rap game. Young Buck is recognized as one of the best lyricist in the South by fellow rappers in the industry. With the release of “Buck the World” & Rehab. Buck has been consistent through out his up and down carrier.
7. Yo Gotti- From Memphis, Tennessee Yo Gotti first started out back in 2000 with his first album titled “From Da Dope Game To Da Rap Game” and has been making moves rap game for over ten years consistently. With five studio albums and seven mix tapes to his name. Yo Gotti has proven he has staying power and the wok ethic to stay relevant in the ever-changing rap game.
