Western Sydney rappers: Top 10 names to watch
With millions of plays on streaming services like Spotify these rappers are no longer a secret of the underground. Here’s our guide to the biggest names in western Sydney rap right now.
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The suburbs of Sydney have become the source of some of the most cutting-edge artists in the Australian music scene in recent years.
With the infamous drill rappers from OneFour leading the charge, there are scores of artists following in their footsteps – writing and rapping about the gritty realities of urban street life.
These are the top 10 rising stars of the scene.
10. BALLY BOY
Auburn raised and proud, Bally Boy is a rising star of the western Sydney Polynesian rap scene.
His blend of hip-hop and RnB has created a cult following, with 81,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
His debut track ‘All Out’ gained him praise for his seamless flow from rap to singing.
He’s been hard at work in the studio since, offering up a new track this year, ‘Subliminals’.
9. HOOKS
Another western Sydney local, Hooks made a memorable entrance to the rap scene with his debut track ‘Plug’ in 2019.
With links to the ‘46’ or Claymore/Campbelltown area, the Samoan/Tongan rapper has made a name for himself with his hit ‘2 Smart’.
The track has more than a million YouTube views and millions of streams online, cementing his following in Australia and across the Tasman.
8. NASA NOVA
Representing Guildford in Sydney’s west, Nasa Nova is one name to watch in Australia’s booming drill rap scene.
The Fijian Australian has fast gained a following for his unique take on drill rap, fusing together puns and clever word play.
Nasa Nova doesn’t shy away from describing the rough and tumble of the streets, with his lyrics “Midnight broad day knifings/ CCTV caught me smiling” in his latest single ‘Hide & Seek’.
7. HOOLIGAN SKINNY
Also from the Hooligan Squad, Skinny is a frequent collaborator with Hefs, as well as fellow rappers Masi Rooc and Hooks.
Another Doonside local, Skinny and Hefs grew up together and remain proud boys of the 67 group.
Skinny’s collaboration with Hefs on ‘IYKYK ‘If You Know You Know’, is one of his biggest tracks to date.
He quickly gained a profile as one of the biggest drill rappers on the scene, even earning the nickname ‘That Driller’.
6. YOUNGN LIPZ
He’s still in the early days of his career, by Youngn Lipz or YL is already taking the music industry by storm in Australia and beyond.
The Cabramatta local has spoken openly about his troubled past on the streets of ‘Cabra’ before his muck-about social media videos caught the eye of a producer.
Given the option of a crack at the rap game or a downward spiral on the streets, YL chose the former, with his debut single ‘Misunderstood’ launching his career in 2019.
5. MAC11
He shares his name with a machine gun and Mac11 hasn’t been one to shy away from controversy since splitting from inner west rap group 21 District.
After years of backyard rapping, Mac11 shot to popularity with the group through the release of ‘The Reply’ in 2019
The track, which is a reply to rival rappers OneFour’s ‘The Message’, has almost three million streams online.
Since parting ways with the group, Mac11 has forged his solo career, releasing singles ‘Still Active’ and ‘Snoozin’.
4. BIG KASH
The muscled-up rapper made headlines last year after surviving an alleged drive-by shooting in Warwick Farm after rap scene tensions boiled over.
Big Kash was lucky to survive the barrage of bullets which were sprayed on his Mercedes, in what police have since labelled as an “assassination attempt”.
Big Kash has never shied away from his past life as a bikie, crediting the music scene for saving his life.
His latest single’ Unbreakable’ touches on his colourful life and furthers his ‘unapologetic’ style.
3. HOOLIGAN HEFS
With a platinum-certified track at just 23 years of age, Hooligan Hefs is undoubtedly one of the hottest music products to emerge from western Sydney in recent years.
Hailing from Doonside, also known as the ‘67’, Hefs released his hugely popular track ‘No Effect’ in 2019 before it went platinum in 2020.
His catchy track ‘Send It’ has received substantial radio airplay since its release in November, peaking at number 37 on the ARIA charts.
Originating from the ‘Hooligan Squad’, the Samoan/Chinese-Australian rapper boasts hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.
2. 21 DISTRICT
The hugely popular group and known rivals of OneFour are proud of their inner west roots around Guildford, Merrylands and Smithfield.
The 21 District boys have risen through the ranks since their debut track ‘The Reply’ in 2019 was released as a response to OneFour.
With live shows and their merchandise banned by police and two members of the group in prison, 21 District ‘frontman’ Jay Lekz is fighting to keep the group together.
1. ONEFOUR
Credited as the originators of Australian drill rap, the Mt Druitt’s OneFour is one of the most talked about rap groups.
The group has regularly sparked controversy for their violent lyrics, which often refer to knife crime and gang activity.
Famous for their hit single ‘Shanks and Shivs’, the group has distanced itself from the OneFour street gang. However, several former members have been convicted of gang-related brawls.
In December 2019, OneFour rappers Salec Sua (Lekks), Pio Misa (YP) and Dahcell Ramos (Celly14) were jailed over a violent brawl at Rooty Hill’s Carousel Inn Hotel in July 2018.
Despite having all live shows shut down by police, OneFour has an undeniable cult following, with over one million monthly listeners on Spotify.
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