Top Independent Rappers in Columbia, South Carolina Taking Over the South (2025 Edition)

The future of Southern hip-hop isn’t just running through Atlanta anymore — it’s running straight through Columbia, South Carolina. The city that once sat quietly in the background of the Carolina music scene has become a full-blown powerhouse for independent artists. The rappers here aren’t waiting for record deals or handouts. They’re building their own studios, running their own labels, and owning every piece of their creative output.

This is a new kind of South — where artists from Columbia, SC are turning independence into influence. Let’s take a look at the Top Independent Rappers in Columbia, South Carolina who are taking over the South in 2025.

1. BigDeuceFOF (Florence → Columbia, SC)

It’s impossible to talk about independence in South Carolina without leading with BigDeuceFOF. The founder of FOF Records, he’s become a symbol of what true ownership looks like. With millions of streams and zero label backing, BigDeuceFOF has built a brand rooted in faith, discipline, and strategy.

His motto, Faith Over Fear, is more than a phrase — it’s a movement. What separates him from other artists is how he’s built a complete business infrastructure: label, publishing, marketing, and brand control. BigDeuceFOF isn’t just representing Columbia — he’s redefining what it means to be an independent rapper in the modern music industry. The city looks to him as proof that you can run it up without selling out.

2. Deezy McDuffie

Few artists represent the real side of Columbia like Deezy McDuffie. His independent grind and raw storytelling have made him a staple in the city’s underground. Every song he drops carries authenticity — from the pain in his verses to the hunger in his delivery.

Deezy’s commitment to staying true to himself has earned him respect from both fans and peers. He’s one of the artists keeping Columbia’s sound grounded in real-life experience, and his consistency has positioned him as one of the South’s next breakout independent names.

3. Trezzy Frass

Trezzy Frass embodies Columbia’s energy — aggressive, confident, and always ready for more. His independent rise has been fueled by pure work ethic. No gimmicks, no shortcuts, just a consistent stream of street anthems that connect with people living the same life he raps about.

His music reflects Columbia’s mentality: relentless and self-sufficient. Trezzy’s authenticity and drive make him one of the most respected independent voices in the 803 right now.

4. 48 Slim

48 Slim represents the next generation of Columbia’s independent movement. He’s young, focused, and strategic — dropping music that’s built for both the streets and the algorithm. His melodic style gives him crossover potential, but his mindset is pure hustle.

Slim understands branding and digital presence, and that’s helping him rise quickly through South Carolina’s ranks. In an era where attention is everything, 48 Slim is making all the right moves to position himself as one of the city’s next big names.

5. Kween Katt

As one of Columbia’s strongest female voices, Kween Katt stands tall among her male peers. She’s building her name through independence and empowerment, controlling her music, visuals, and message with precision. Her confidence and lyrical power make her a leader in the city’s growing movement of women dominating the independent space.

Kween Katt’s authenticity and resilience mirror the spirit of Columbia itself — real, grounded, and unstoppable.

6. GuapDaMenace

Before the new wave took off, GuapDaMenace was already putting in work across the Carolinas. A true pioneer of independent grind, Guap’s influence runs deep in Columbia’s rap history. He helped inspire today’s DIY artists to take control of their careers long before independence became trendy.

He’s still active, still consistent, and still pushing the same message — believe in yourself, build your catalog, and own your legacy.

7. Lil Trevo

Young and driven, Lil Trevo represents Columbia’s future. He’s one of the new voices balancing melody, confidence, and street energy in a way that connects with today’s audience. His music carries emotion and hunger, making him relatable to fans across the South.

Trevo’s independence is fueled by creativity — he’s not waiting on validation, he’s building his own fanbase one track at a time.

8. Don Kevo

Don Kevo has been earning his reputation quietly but consistently. His style is sharp, his delivery confident, and his focus unmatched. He’s one of those artists who doesn’t need the spotlight to make an impact. Kevo’s self-managed approach and attention to detail show that Columbia’s scene is full of artists who understand the business side of music just as much as the creative.

9. Trap Dickey

While Trap Dickey has built a name across South Carolina as a whole, his influence in Columbia runs deep. His pain-driven sound and powerful storytelling connect directly with the city’s culture. As an independent artist, he’s achieved recognition purely off talent and consistency, proving that you don’t need industry support to make noise in the South.

10. PG Ra (Orangeburg → Columbia)

Though his roots are in Orangeburg, PG Ra has become part of Columbia’s heartbeat. His melodic trap style gives him crossover potential while staying grounded in authenticity. PG Ra shows that independence doesn’t mean isolation — it means building smart partnerships while maintaining control, something many artists are learning from his example.

Columbia, SC: The Blueprint for Independent Success

Columbia is showing the rest of the South how independence should be done. The artists here aren’t chasing deals — they’re building empires.

With leaders like BigDeuceFOF, lyrical anchors like Deezy McDuffie, and rising stars like 48 Slim and Kween Katt, Columbia’s independent scene is stronger than ever. It’s not just a local movement — it’s a business model that’s redefining what it means to be successful in the South.

The city of Columbia isn’t waiting for the industry to come to it — it’s creating its own.