1. Vico C (Puerto Rico)
The godfather of Puerto Rican Hip Hop and pioneer of the movement across Latin
America, Vico C was the first, the original, the Gil Scott Heron of Latin Hip Hop. More than 10 albums released and a plethora of awards since the late 80s, Vico spoke of Puerto Rico’s harsh realities when Salsa singers stopped doing so. Songs like La Recta Final, and Aquel Que Habia Muerto, are veritable Hip Hop anthems. His potent lyrics and street flow inspired generations of rappers across the continent.
2. Cancerbero (Venezuela)
Recently deceased under unclear circumstances, this Venezuelan lyricist amazed the Hip Hop scene in a very short period of time. From Mexico to Barcelona, El Can was considered by many to be the best rapper en Español. Just two albums, a handful of mix-tapes, and some phenomenal freestyles, were his only legacy.
3.Tego Calderón (Puerto Rico)
Greatly influenced by Vico C and Eddie Avila, and child of the Ismael Rivera generation, Tego is one of the few true voices of the Puerto Rican poor. One of the early faces of Reggaeton, Tego had been part of the underground scene for years, but his debut album El Abayarde became a hit in Puerto Rico and the US. He opened the doors for Daddy Yankee and Don Omar to follow.
4. Violadores del Verso (Spain)
Whilst unable to cross over to other markets, Violadores are one of the most respected Hip Hop outfits in the Spanish language. The rappers’ rappers, they have had sustained success in Spain, as well as praise from peers from across the Spanish speaking world. Their albums Genios (1999) and Vivir para Contarlo (2006) are considered milestones in the development of Spanish Hip Hop.
5. Los Aldeanos (Cuba)
One of the most prolific Latin American Hip Hop outfits despite being banned from performing in Cuba for years. Their lyrics are a mix of sublime poetry and hardcore street-slang. A real musical tour de force, after years of criticizing the Cuban government, they left the island and are now based in Miami. Hopefully they will become better known over the next few years.
6. La Mala Rodríguez (Spain)
Spain’s most international rapper, this sexy, sassy, bad girl can hold her own when it comes to free-styling. Having paid her dues on the underground for many years, La Mala recently crossed over to the Latin American and US markets, collaborating with commercial artists such as Romeo Santos and Nelly Furtado. Both commercial and talented, this bad ass girl from Cádiz is the real deal.
7. Residente (Puerto Rico)
Calle 13 front man, Rene or Residente, has won more Grammies than probably any other artist of any genre. A sort of Manu Chao of Latin rap, his clever lyrics and his sometimes contradictory views have kept him under the gaze of the media for almost a decade. His collaboration with Rubén Blades in La Perla is already a classic.
8. Lápiz Conciente (Dominican Republic)
The Dominican Republic is the land of freestylers, and Lápiz is considered one of the best. His street lyrics, raw flow and funny puns made him stand out and become one of the biggest Latino rappers of the Reggaeton explosion. He faded for a few years but now seems to be coming back stronger.
9. Boca Floja (Mexico)
One of Mexico’s best rappers, this poet, social communicator and campaigner appears not to mellow with age. His political views have been at the forefront of his music and his international project Quilomboarte works as a platform for artists struggling to show their creative and political voice. Much more than just a rapper, Bocafloja is a true 21st Century artist.
10. 3 Coronas (Colombia)
The best known Colombian Hip Hop crew to date, they were formed in New York in 2001. Led by Rocca, a French-Colombian lyricist, still very active on the Parisian rap scene. They were signed to Machete Music (part of Universal) and for a long time were one of the most respected Hip Hop outfits. Their success has not been matched by any other Colombian rapper. They had a very public falling out with one of their original members from the Dominican Republic, Reychesta.
11. Trueno (Argentina)
A technically brilliant rapper, with something to say, he stands out from the crowd. National freestyle champion in 2019, he was one of the first to feature on BZRP freestyle Sessions, whose 132M views was until recently one of the most viewed, leading to collaborations with J Balvin and he has been chosen by Damon Albarn to feature in his 2025 Gorillaz tour. The son of a true pioneer of Argentine hiphop, born in La Boca Trueno grew up accompanying his dad, MC Peligro, a rapper who pioneered the hiphop scene in the 90s, as he organised rap battles and gave workshops in the barrios, was no doubt instrumental in Trueno’s formation as a serious rapper. Trueno's massive success now is the reward for his dad's years of dedication to a genre that was outside the mainstream for years.
12. Nach (Spain)
Spain’s poet laureate of rap. Nach blends razor-sharp flow with literary precision, crafting verses that could sit comfortably in any anthology. Albums like Un Día en Suburbia and Mejor que el Silencio made him a household name in the Spanish-speaking world. More philosopher than celebrity, Nach’s writing is introspection set to rhythm — equal parts social critique and inner dialogue. His words are where intellect meets emotion, proving that hip-hop can also be deeply human.
13. Santa Fe Klan – Mexico
From the heart of Guanajuato, Santa Fe Klan rose as a voice for the forgotten. His music fuses hip-hop with cumbia, barrio poetry with hard reality. Songs like Debo Entender and Así Soy speak to life’s struggles with sincerity and grit. He’s built a cult following across Latin America without ever compromising his roots. In him, Mexico found a storyteller who makes rap sound like survival — humble, raw, and real.
15. Akapellah – Venezuela
Akapellah is flow incarnate. Rising from Venezuela’s battle-rap scene, he turned freestyle mastery into polished artistry. His delivery — smooth, confident, and impossibly intricate — has made him one of Latin America’s most admired MCs. Whether trading bars with legends or headlining festivals, Akapellah represents the technical evolution of Latin rap: precise, passionate, and proudly Venezuelan.
16. Duki – Argentina
Duki is the face of Latin trap’s crossover into hip-hop royalty. Starting from freestyle battles, he built an empire that blurred the lines between genres without ever losing his rap DNA. With more than 30 million monthly listeners, he’s the most streamed rapper in the Spanish-speaking world. His records, from Desde el Fin del Mundo to Antes de Ameri, capture the ambition and angst of a generation. Love him or hate him, Duki is the sound of Latin youth — global, fearless, and unstoppable.
Special mentions:
Eddie Avila, Omar García, Chyno Nyno, Anna Tijoux, Nigga Sibilino, Tempo, Tek One, Bosta Brains, Apache, Cosculluela, Mexicano 777, Cartel de Santa, MC Klopedia, Eptos One, Nach Scratch, Rayden, Frescolate, El Prieto, Nengo Flow, Orishas, Ari Puello, Julio Voltio
