Key Takeaways:

• Texas continues to provide genre-blending artists throughout hip hop and R&B, from international icons to underground standouts.
• Cities like Dallas and Houston have produced stars like 4batz, BigXthaPlug, and Zillionaire Doe, who’re pushing regional sounds into new territory.
• These artists mirror the evolution of Texas rap and R&B, mixing custom with innovation and redefining the area’s musical id.

If you comply with music even a bit of, you already know Texas’ place within the business. The Lone Star State has given us Beyoncé, Travis Scott, Megan Thee Stallion, and an extended checklist of different artists who greater than deserve their flowers.

Whether it’s Houston, Dallas, or Austin, Texas music tends to come back with a handful of traits: vivid storytelling, chopped-and-screwed remixes, and a mindset that by no means settles for small. Beyond the large names already talked about, the state is accountable for stars like Monaleo, Don Toliver, and That Mexican OT. On the R&B facet, there’s Kaash Paige, Peyton, and the H-Town-raised Normani, to call only a few.

From BigXthaPlug and Zillionaire Doe to Josh Levi, listed here are 18 Texas rap and R&B artists to know, for those who don’t already. Check them out under.

1. Travis Scott

Travis Scott is probably one of the vital pivotal (and recognizable) rappers to emerge from Texas within the years after Days Before Rodeo. Hailing from Houston, he’s put a number of No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart — Rodeo, ASTROWORLD, and others — and labored with an extended checklist of main vogue and pop-culture manufacturers, from McDonald’s and Reese’s Puffs to Nike and Jordan Brand. There aren’t many, if any, who can replicate Scott’s impression on the style.

2. Normani

There had been understandably plenty of questions on what would occur with Normani’s profession after Fifth Harmony introduced its hiatus in 2018. She noticed main success together with her solo debut single, “Motivation,” the next 12 months, although the lengthy and infrequently irritating highway to DOPAMINE remained unexplained till its launch in 2024. What’s by no means been doubtful is her expertise as a singer and performer, and she or he additionally occurs to be Houston-raised.

3. Megan Thee Stallion

If it’s not already apparent, H-Town has produced a few of the most profitable artists to come back out of Texas, interval. Case in level: Megan Thee Stallion. An artist who hardly wants an introduction, she’s delivered numerous hits like “Savage,” “Body,” and “HISS,” simply to call a number of. Not solely is she top-of-the-line feminine rappers Texas has produced, however she’s arguably one of many biggest ladies in rap since Cardi B’s rise and the streaming period took off.

4. BigXthaPlug

BigXthaPlug is the most important, the most important, and a bona fide hitmaker. While “Texas” and the funk-inspired “Whip It” skyrocketed him into reputation, the Dallas native proved there’s way more to him than hip hop alone. His third studio album, I Hope You’re Happy, housed country-rap crossovers like “All The Way” with Bailey Zimmerman and “Hell At Night” that includes Ella Langley.

5. Kaash Paige

Kaash Paige seemingly had the R&B world in her arms with 2018’s “Love Songs,” which set the stage for her debut studio album, Teenage Fever, by way of Def Jam Records. The 13-song mission featured tracks like “Grammy Week” with fellow Texan Don Toliver, the ssgkobe-assisted “Soul Ties,” and “Jaded.” After parting methods with the label in 2023, Paige landed at Rostrum Records in 2025.

6. Zillionaire Doe

Yo Gotti’s CMG Records has had loads of luck signing rap stars, a lot of them from his native Memphis (GloRilla and Moneybagg Yo, to call a pair). In January 2025, although, he signed Zillionaire Doe, who hails from South Dallas. Since inking his deal, Doe has launched initiatives like D Boi Dreams and Mr. 14 Months, each of which delivered loads of warmth.

7. Josh Levi

Some may bear in mind Josh Levi from his function on “Friday Night Lights” and even from competing on “The X Factor USA,” however the Houston singer is all grown up now. His debut album, HYDRAULIC, arrived in 2025 with collaborations with FLO and BEAM. After the magic he made with Normani on “DON’T THEY (REMIX),” we’re excited to see what Levi does within the coming years.

8. Peyton

Peyton’s expertise stretches in each route. After studying the violin at simply 5 years outdated and rising up within the choir, music was naturally the route she selected. She’s advanced loads since her debut album, 2021’s PSA, and on the follow-up, Au, the Houston singer carries herself with the arrogance of somebody who is aware of precisely who she is.

9. Jace!

On Pink Tape’s “x2,” Lil Uzi Vert raps, “Two different names like Jace!” Originally from Fort Worth, Jace! (or iayze, as some folks know him) rose to fame with tracks like “Goose Creek” and “556 (Green Tip).” Having beforehand appeared on our Rappers Who Are Also Killing It As Livestreamers list, he is made a reputation for himself in each worlds.

10. That Mexican OT

“I’m from Lonestar, sippin’ lean with pecan pie / I don’t play ’bout respect, for that, we gon’ die,” That Mexican OT raps on “Johnny Dang,” named after Texas’ famend hip hop jeweler. The Lonestar Luchador artist grew up in Bay City, simply south of Houston. Blending southern rap together with his Latin roots, OT carries a ton of potential, particularly after his showings on fan favorites like “Hardest Ese Ever” and “Cowboy Killer.”

11. Jae Stephens

Although she spent most of her childhood in Los Angeles, “Body Favors” singer Jae Stephens was truly born in Dallas. If you’re into R&B with a touch of pop (or the opposite means round), begin with the Issa Rae-approved artist’s TOTAL SELLOUT mission.

12. 4batz

Many of us first met 4batz because the ski mask-clad, gold grill-wearing singer with an angelic voice by way of his “From The Block” efficiency of “act ii: date @ 8.” A Kanye West co-sign and a Drake remix for the aforementioned monitor, the Dallas crooner doubled down on his rise with u made me a st4r in 2024. The following 12 months, he hit the streets together with his debut album, Still Shinin, which featured fellow R&B stars from his period like Leon Thomas and FLO.

13. KenTheMan

Texas ladies do it like nobody else, and KenTheMan’s confidence and unmistakably southern supply are an ideal instance of that. The Houston rapper landed a spot in XXL’s Freshman Class in 2022, which is already a transparent signal she’s right here for the long term. If you’re on the lookout for the place to dive in, we recommend beginning with our essential KenTheMan tracks round-up.

14. Erica Banks

People initially brushed Erica Banks below the rug as a Megan Thee Stallion copycat, and understandably so. They’re each Texas-raised, each signed to Carl Crawford’s 1501 Entertainment at one level, and each know precisely methods to get the women shifting. Since inviting the world to affix her TikTok-viral “Buss It” problem, Banks has stretched her run with the “Throw a Lil Mo (Do It)”-housing Diary of The Flow Queen and Cocky on Purpose 2.

15. Monaleo

Reinvention is a continuing for Monaleo. The Houston rapper made her presence recognized with “Beating Down Yo Block,” then adopted it with one aggressive bop after one other — “Suck It Up,” “Body Bag,” and the Flo Milli-assisted “We Not Humping.” We noticed a extra weak facet of her on Where The Flowers Don’t Die, which arrived simply days after she gave start to her first baby. Then, with Who Did The Body, she embraced her development as an artist and girl by way of tracks like “Dignified” and “Tamron Hall.”

16. Teezo Touchdown

Outside of collaborating with a number of artists talked about right here, Teezo Touchdown has contributed to songs by Drake, Doja Cat, and Tyler, The Creator, which isn’t any small feat. He additionally has alt-rap, pop-punk-leaning tracks like “Third Coast” and “You Thought” below his belt.

17. Don Toliver

Travis Scott’s rise to fame has given approach to a number of, if not dozens, of elusive, fashion-orbiting rappers, a few of whom he’s truly signed. One of the earliest and closest to house is Don Toliver, who’s managed to step out of his mentor’s shadow with information like Internet Money’s “Lemonade,” “No Idea,” and “After Party.” The Houston rapper has given us critically acclaimed albums similar to Love Sick and HARDSTONE PSYCHO, and in 2024, he welcomed his first baby with Kali Uchis.

18. Beyoncé

Beyoncé is the best artist to ever come out of Texas and, relying on who you ask, the best artist on the planet. It’s unimaginable to categorize her for a number of causes: RENAISSANCE was essentially a dance album, COWBOY CARTER put loads of listeners onto nation music, and she or he’s gone bar-for-bar with JAY-Z greater than as soon as. Queen Bey stands alone on the prime, as most of the artists featured right here would gladly acknowledge (and possibly have already got).