8 Best K-pop rappers to follow in 2024

K-pop rappers have grown increasingly popular because of their lyricism and word flow. The K-pop industry embraces different genres of music like hip-hop, R&B, funk, rap, and rock, giving idols the opportunities to explore their niche— hence the growth of rap.

The hip-hop culture has progressed in the Korean entertainment industry to the extent that almost all K-pop groups have designated rappers.

The Korean hip-hop industry has evolved from ballad music and conventional Korean melodies to embracing underground rap and its talents. K-pop idols like BTS Suga and RM are products of the underground rap scene and have employed their experience to create popular rap verses.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and is ranked in no particular order.

8 Best K-pop rappers to follow in 2024

This list features male and female K-pop rappers who have showcased rap talents in the industry.

Suga
So-yeon
RM
BLACKPINK Jennie
Han Ji-sung
Lisa
CL

1. Suga

Min Yoon-gi, popularly known as Suga of BTS, is a South Korean rapper known for hit songs like Agust D, and Give it to Me, amongst others. The 31-year-old made his solo debut in 2018 with a mixtape, Agust D, which peaked at number 3 on Billboard's World Albums Chart.

The K-pop rapper is recognized by fans for his lyrical abilities and impressive flow. BTS Suga is the first rapper to sell a million album units on the first day of release and the first Asian rapper to reach 3 billion streams on his Spotify profile.

His ten-track solo album, D-Day, which dropped on April 21, 2023, made it to the Billboard 200, taking the number 3 spot. Some of the K-pop rapper’s accolades include a MAMA Award for Best Rap & Hip Performance in 2023, a Golden Disc Award, and a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, in 2023, amongst others.

2. So-yeon

So-Yeon (Image via Instagram/ @tiny.pretty.j)

The 25-year-old rapper was launched into stardom after she emerged as second runner-up in the rap competition, Unpretty Rapster. The Senorita crooner made her debut as a soloist on November 5, 2017, with the singles, Jelly and Idle Song, before joining the girl group (G)I-DLE.

She's the main rapper and leader of the South Korean Quintet, and is often referred to as the best female K-pop rapper. Her opening verse for Queendom is often quoted as one of her most iconic rap lines.

Latata, which is the lead track from the group's debut Mini album, I AM, gained commercial success, claiming the number eleven spot on Billboard's World Digital Songs Chart.

Some of the awards won by So-yeon include Best Rap Artiste at the r/kpop Awards 2019, APAN Music Awards for Best All-rounder in 2020, and Asian Pop Music Award for Best Lyricist in 2021.

3. RM

RM, (an abbreviation for "Rap Monster"), is the leader and main rapper of the popular boyband, BTS, known for his rapping, and songwriting skills.

He has been described as one of South Korea’s most dexterous rappers for his flow, lyricism, and delivery. RM’s rap verses in songs like Do You, Forever Rain, and Seoul, have been praised for their rhythmic brilliance.

His recent single Come Back to Me from his Sophomore studio album, Right Place, Wrong Person, peaked at number 3 on Billboard US Digital Song Sales.

BTS RM's accolades consist of 2 Korean Hip-hop Awards for Collaboration of the Year and Music Video of the Year in 2023 and a Grammy Award nomination for Album of the Year in 2023.

4. Jennie

Jennie Kim of the iconic K-pop girl group, BLACKPINK, is one of the most popular K-pop rappers in the South Korean entertainment industry.

She debuted as the main rapper of the K-pop girl group in 2016 and has contributed rap verses to most of the group’s hit songs like Whistle and Boombayah.

The K-pop rapper created a personal record by rapping at an impressive 7.88 syllables per second in the hit song DDU-DU-DDU-DU. In 2018, Jennie released her debut single, Solo, which peaked at number 1 on the US Billboard World Digital Songs chart.

Some of Jennie’s accolades include the Best Female Rapper Award at the Melon Music Awards 2019 and the Golden Disc Award for Best Digital Song in 2018, amongst others.

5. Han Ji-sung

Han Ji-sung, fondly called Han, is a member of the South Korean boyband, Stray Kids, and is referred to as one of the best K-pop rappers of the 4th generation.

In March 2018, Han made his debut, joining Stray Kids as the lead rapper, after which their first EP, I Am Not, was released. The album peaked at number 23 on Billboard US Heatseekers Album Charts.

He is often praised for his rap verses in Stray Kids’ songs and his ability to deliver strong lyrics. Following the success of the group’s debut EP, they released other chart-topping songs like Lose My Breath which made an entry on the Billboard Hot 100.

The K-pop rapper has won numerous awards, alongside his group members, including one Billboard Music Award, seven Golden Disc Awards, and 10 Asia Artist Awards, amongst others.

6. Lisa

Lisa (Image via Instagram/ @lalalalisa_m)

Lalisa Manobal, professionally known as Lisa, is a South Korean rapper and member of the globally acclaimed K-pop girl group, BLACKPINK and is referred to as one of the best female K-pop rappers of her time.

The K-pop rapper is praised for her ability to utter many syllables per verse and her lyrical prowess in songs like New One and How You Like That. Lisa made her debut as a soloist on November 10, 2021, with a two-single eponymous EP, Lisa, featuring Lalisa as the lead single, and Money as the supporting track.

Lalisa debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Global 200 Chart, while Money peaked at number 90 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Her current hit record Rockstar, peaked at number 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming her highest-charting single.

BLACKPINK Lisa's accolades include an MTV Video Music Award for Best K-pop in 2022 and an Asia Artist award for Song of the Year in 2023, amongst others.

7. Changbin

Seo Changbin, popularly known as Stray Kids' Changbin, made his debut in the boyband on March 26, 2018, featuring as one of the lead rappers in the group.

Changbin has been praised for his rap verses in Stray Kids’ songs like Mirror Mirror, We Go, and God’s Menu, amongst others. He is frequently named by fans as one of the fastest rappers in K-pop, rapping at 11.3 syllables per second.

Stray Kids’ debut EP, I Am Not, gave Changbin and his bandmates global recognition, debuting at number 5 on the Billboard World Album Chart. The group's most recent album 5-star, which is also their fourth studio album, peaked at number 1 on both Billboard's US World Album Chart, and on the Billboard 200.

Some of the K-pop rapper's awards, alongside his bandmates, include eight The Fact Music Awards, one iheartradio Radio Music Award, and a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award, amongst others.

8. CL

Lee Chae-rin, popularly known as CL, is a Seoul-born female rapper. CL made her entry into the music scene in March 2009, as the leader and rapper of the K-pop girl group 2NE1.

Following the disbandment of the group in 2016, CL released her second single as a soloist, Lifted, which peaked at number 94 on the Billboard Hot 100 and made her the first female Korean solo artist to rank on the chart.

The 33-year-old is often ranked amongst the best female K-pop rappers for her commanding stage presence and wordplay. On October 20, 2021, she released her first studio album, ALPHA, which featured eleven tracks.

The album debuted at number 15 on the Billboard World Albums Chart and number 82 on Billboard's 2021 Top Current Album Sales. CL's list of awards won consists of one Asia Artist Award, two Mnet Asian Music Awards, and a People's Choice Award, amongst others.

These K-pop rappers have contributed rap verses to their group's hit songs and boast personal records of their own.

Edited by Ahana Mukhopadhyay