The most powerful names in hip-hop media right now, according to Complex:
▫️ #1: DJ Akademiks
▫️ #2: Joe Budden
▫️ #3: DJ Vlad
▫️ #4: Jadakiss & Fat Joe
▫️ #5: Charlamagne Tha God
▫️ #6: Anthony Fantano
▫️ #7: Rory & Mal
▫️ #8: Kurrco
▫️ #9: Ebro
▫️ #10: Plaqueboymax
▫️ #11: On the Radar
▫️ #12: Kai Cenat
▫️ #13: Big Bank
▫️ #14: Frazier Tharpe
▫️ #15: Cam’ron
▫️ #16: Jon Caramanica & Joe Coscarelli
▫️ #17: Bootleg Kev
▫️ #18: Gillie & Wallo
▫️ #19: N3on
▫️ #20: Nadeska Alexis
▫️ #21: Nardwuar
▫️ #22: Loren LoRosa
▫️ #23: Trap Lore Ross
▫️ #24: Shannon Sharpe
▫️ #25: N.O.R.E.
▫️ #26: Jim Jones
▫️ #27: The Art of Dialogue
▫️ #28: Kid Mero
▫️ #29: Arshan Jawaid
▫️ #30: DJ Hed & Gina Views
▫️ #31: Underground Sound
▫️ #32: Elliott Wilson
▫️ #33: Alphonse Pierre
▫️ #34: ImDontai
▫️ #35: Rob Markman
"Complex’s 2026 Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking maps who really moves the conversation. In a year where rap has no dominant stars or overarching storylines, the media figures matter the most."
"Power here means cultural influence—who can spark and steer viral rap debates. Everyone on the list was also asked to provide a temperature check on the genre—what they love about rap right now, and what they hate."
🔗: https://t.co/VuD35vaspH
Fashion and Music has a huge barrier of entry when it comes to getting started, Whether that's financial or just having access to the tools you need.
I had the opportunity to explore this topic with Chicago Fashion designer and artist Menace4hire
👇👇👇
https://t.co/nFFeuVLYEu
Lil Wayne speaks on AI in music:
“My friends were a little worried, they said ‘You can ask [AI] to do a verse like Lil Wayne’ and so I did it: ‘Let me hear a verse like Lil Wayne’…I did it on a couple devices…They all sucked. We gon be okay” 😂
Lil Wayne speaks on AI in music:
“My friends were a little worried, they said ‘You can ask [AI] to do a verse like Lil Wayne’ and so I did it: ‘Let me hear a verse like Lil Wayne’…I did it on a couple devices…They all sucked. We gon be okay” 😂
@andrejgee I think another problem is that the internet has turned everyone who pushes back against an artist into just another hater - so you never have to take accountability because you can hide under “those aren’t my fans just haters” when really bro has a horrible take
a year ago i hit a thousand followers on tiktok.
today i got to 10k.
thank you so much! i love sharing my love for music with yall, the best decision i ever made🫶🏾
😂😂😂 what do y'all think I'm saying in this song? Is it the truth that's bothersome or is it what YOU think I'm saying? I'm saying every human was made by God. Even the evil ones. Even the niggas going to hell alongside some of yall uncles, daddies, and favorite rappers 😂😂.
Jack Harlow says he went deeper into Black music with 'Monica' instead of “retreating into a whiter genre”:
“I love Black music.”
“Of course I’m hyper aware of the politics of today; that safer landing spot that a lot of my white contemporaries have found.”
"There's plenty of people expecting me to take some of the routes y'all are taking."
(via NYT's Popcast)