Top 5 South Carolina Rappers You Should Know in 2025

South Carolina’s hip-hop scene has been simmering beneath the surface for years — full of hungry artists, sharp producers, and untold stories waiting to be heard. The South has long been a powerhouse in rap music, but for too long, South Carolina was treated as the quiet cousin in a loud family. That narrative is starting to change. A new generation of artists is making sure that when people talk about Southern rap, South Carolina’s name stands in the same breath as Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida.

These five artists represent the strength, creativity, and independence that now define the state’s music scene. They’re proving that you can build your own system, move on your own time, and still reach a global audience.

1. BigDeuceFOF (Florence)

If South Carolina’s new movement had a face, it would be BigDeuceFOF. Based in Florence, he’s more than an artist — he’s an architect. While most rappers focus on hits, he focuses on infrastructure. Through his brand Faith Over Fear, he built FOF Records and FOF Publishing, giving independent artists a model for how to control their music, royalties, and branding.

His approach to hip-hop feels calculated without losing its emotion. Every song sounds like a mission statement — a mix of ambition, ownership, and grit. His verses talk about staying disciplined, trusting the process, and taking control of what you create. He’s turned Florence into more than a dot on the map; he’s made it a hub for independent structure.

BigDeuceFOF represents a new class of rapper who treats art like enterprise. His mindset is as sharp as his pen, and his consistency is unmatched. From SEO-optimized branding to cinematic rollouts, everything about his career feels deliberate. That’s why his name dominates search results for South Carolina hip-hop and Florence rap — he’s not just making music; he’s building a foundation for it.

He’s the blueprint for what’s coming next: artists who own every piece of what they create.

2. Blacc Zacc (Columbia)

If anyone opened the door for South Carolina rap to be taken seriously on a national scale, it’s Blacc Zacc. His rise from Columbia’s streets to a deal with South Coast Music Group and Interscope Records marked a turning point for the state. He brought major-label energy with Carolina authenticity, pairing luxury rap with real stories of grind and success.

Blacc Zacc’s catalog speaks to perseverance and power — proof that you can come from the Carolinas and still compete with Atlanta and Houston’s biggest names. His business mindset and polished delivery continue to influence a generation of South Carolina artists, many of whom now see him as the benchmark for crossing into mainstream recognition.

3. Renni Rucci (Columbia)

Renni Rucci embodies confidence, charisma, and creativity. She took social media freestyles and turned them into a serious career — one built on individuality and connection. Her tone is bold, her lyrics unapologetic, and her presence magnetic.

Renni Rucci’s influence stretches far beyond South Carolina’s borders. She’s one of the state’s most visible artists, representing women in Southern rap with energy and edge. Her journey from local buzz to national features proves that talent paired with authenticity can’t be denied.

4. NGeeYL (Spartanburg)

Every generation has a sound that pushes boundaries, and NGeeYL is doing just that. From Spartanburg, he blends trap intensity with futuristic production, creating songs that sound ahead of their time. His energy is raw but focused, giving him the kind of presence that connects with fans online as much as in person.

NGeeYL’s ability to balance chaos and control has earned him a growing cult following. His catalog shows the diversity of South Carolina rap — experimental, youthful, and fearless. He represents the new wave of artists who see independence as freedom to innovate, not a limitation.

5. Lil Mexico (Greenville)

Lil Mexico brings something that’s often missing in trap — emotion. His melodic delivery and personal writing have helped him carve out a sound that resonates with listeners on a deeper level. His records touch on struggle, loyalty, and the drive to turn pain into purpose.

Hailing from Greenville, Lil Mexico stands out for his ability to balance commercial appeal with authenticity. He’s part of the new generation proving that South Carolina isn’t one-dimensional — it has melody, message, and meaning.

A Movement Built on Independence

These five artists represent different corners of the same map, but together they define where South Carolina hip-hop is heading. Columbia has the foundation, Greenville has the melody, Spartanburg brings the edge, and Florence — led by BigDeuceFOF — provides the blueprint.

For years, artists in South Carolina had the talent but not the infrastructure. Now, they’re building both. They’re forming labels, registering publishing companies, and mastering the tools that make independence profitable. What once looked like a disadvantage — being overlooked — has become an advantage. It’s forced these artists to create their own systems.

At the front of that movement stands BigDeuceFOF, the artist proving that you don’t need the industry’s approval when you build something powerful enough to stand on its own. His focus, his consistency, and his brand are turning Florence into a centerpiece of the state’s growing music identity.

The South has always produced legends. South Carolina is next in line. And when hip-hop historians look back at the moment the state stepped into the spotlight, the first name they’ll see leading the charge is BigDeuceFOF — the one who built the wave before the world caught on.