The Future 50: Predicting R&B/Hip-Hop’s Next Legends 

Cardi B’s meteoric rise from a social media persona, featured on VH1’s Love & Hip-Hop: New York, to one of many largest hip-hop stars of the twenty first century will be credited to her unapologetically daring but irresistibly charismatic angle. She’s the feminine rapper with probably the most Sizzling 100 No. 1 hits (5) and most RIAA-certified diamond singles (three), whereas her debut album Invasion of Privateness grew to become the primary rap album by a feminine artist to be nominated for an album of the yr Grammy in 15 years. However though she’s already written new chapters in hip-hop’s historical past, it’s clear she’s simply getting began. By co-signing and collaborating with artists within the early levels of their careers — together with GloRilla, Latto and Rubi Rose — she’s additionally fostering the subsequent era of rappers to maintain the style’s legacy alive. And there’s no denying followers’ rabid urge for food for her music: Though she hasn’t launched a brand new album since her 2018 debut, Cardi has scored six Sizzling 100 high 10 hits since then, together with the No. 1s “WAP” and “Up.”  — HERAN MAMO 

After 10 years with ICM as an agent representing R&B/hip-hop artists resembling Kelly Rowland, Kodak Black and Teyana Taylor, Davies segued to Reside Nation City (LNU) final yr as vp of expertise and reserving. She hit the bottom operating, overseeing a 2023 pageant slate that included Washington, D.C.’s Broccoli Metropolis Music Pageant, Philadelphia’s Roots Picnic, Park Jams (a Central Park live performance with hip-hop legends celebrating Juneteenth) and Mary J. Blige’s second annual Power of a Lady Pageant and Summit. Subsequent up: Atlanta’s ONE Musicfest, whose October lineup options Kendrick Lamar and Megan Thee Stallion. Davies additionally established LNU’s new touring division, scheduling runs for Rema, Ari Lennox, Jill Scott, dvsn and Davido, plus LL COOL J’s first area trek in 30 years. — GAIL MITCHELL 

D’Mile’s pen recreation is unquestionably on level. Between 2021 and 2022; he received an Academy Award alongside H.E.R. for finest unique tune (“Combat for You” from Judas and the Black Messiah) and likewise grew to become the primary songwriter in Grammy historical past to win consecutive tune of the yr Grammys for H.E.R.’s “I Can’t Breathe” and Silk Sonic’s “Go away the Door Open.” A Grammy nominee once more earlier this yr for producer of the yr, D’Mile — who’s additionally labored with Rihanna, Mary J. Blige and Janet Jackson — has since pivoted into label possession as a co-founder of Good Firm Data, a enterprise in partnership with the Disney Music Group and Andscape. Among the many partnership’s upcoming tasks: a documentary about rapper Shyne. — G.M.

After a formidable early 2010s run within the first half of his profession, anchored by his Grammy win for finest rap tune for Jay-Z and Kanye West’s 2011 hit “N—-s In Paris,” producer Hit-Boy is presently having fun with his second wind. First, he helped the late Nipsey Hussle win a Grammy for finest rap efficiency in 2020 when he produced the Roddy Ricch-featured “Racks within the Center.” Then, after partnering with Nas later that yr to start out their King’s Illness album collection, he helped the Queens MC land his first-ever golden gramophone for finest rap album, for the trilogy’s first launch.  — CARL LAMARRE

Undoubtedly the highest visionary rock star of their new rap era, Lil Uzi Vert’s aptitude and hitmaking prowess give them an edge that lots of their friends dream of. Thought-about one of many forerunners of SoundCloud rap, Uzi topped the Sizzling 100 as a visitor on Migos’ “Unhealthy and Boujee” in 2017, then spun the hip-hop world round with their melancholy smash “XO Tour Lif3” in 2018. And when Uzi isn’t of their feels (“The Method Life Goes”), they know tips on how to crank out indelible party-starters (“I Wanna Rock,” “Cash Longer”). This summer season, Uzi’s rap/rock/metal-fused Pink Tape grew to become the primary rap album to say No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2023. — C.L. 

Along with his sinister entice Midas contact and memorable taglines (just like the Future-trumpeted, “If Younger Metro don’t belief you, I’m gon’ shoot you!”), Metro Boomin has been instrumental in shaping the sound of recent hip-hop (and pop) music. The 29-year-old producer often works with A-list rappers resembling Future, Younger Thug, 21 Savage, Travis Scott and Don Toliver. His indelible imprint will be heard on their and others’ large hits, serving to artists like Migos and The Weeknd rating Sizzling 100 No. 1s, and touchdown a pair of No. 1 albums of his personal on the Billboard 200 — in addition to this yr’s high five-charting Spider-Man: Throughout the Spider-Verse soundtrack. Nevertheless it’s clear his star continues to be rising quick, propelling him to superhero standing in his personal proper this yr. — H.M. 

Since securing their first co-writing placement on Rihanna’s platinum-certified “Loveeeeeee Music,” that includes Future in 2012, songwriting/manufacturing duo Brittany “Chi” Coney and Denisia “Blu June” Andrews have steadily risen to go-to standing. The pair counts writing and manufacturing credit for a rising record of stars, together with Ariana Grande, DJ Khaled, Teyana Taylor, Kehlani, H.E.R. and Mary J. Blige. Alongside the best way, the duo has picked up three Grammy nominations, together with finest R&B tune for Jazmine Sullivan’s searing hit “Choose Up Your Emotions.” After contributing songs to The Carters’ (Beyoncé and Jay-Z) album Every thing Is Love and Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Present, Nova Wav reunited with Queen Bey to co-write eight songs for her chart-topping Renaissance album, together with the Grammy-nominated “Cuff It.” — G.M. 

SZA has demanded the world’s consideration during the last decade by way of her left-of-center R&B music, all-too-relatable storytelling and easy attraction – whereas concurrently making historical past as the primary feminine artist signed to High Dawg Leisure. Her basic debut album CTRL established the singer-songwriter born Solána Imani Rowe as R&B’s woman subsequent door. However 5 years later, sophomore album SOS cemented her standing as a world celebrity, after spending 10 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 … and incomes her first Sizzling 100 No. 1 with “Kill Invoice.” SZA will little question proceed charting her personal course inside an trade whose requirements she persistently defies.  — H.M. 

Since her breakthrough hit, 2019’s “Ladies Want Love,” Summer time Walker has blossomed into one among R&B’s main singer/songwriters. Her dulcet vocals and precocious songwriting capability make her one among one within the style’s panorama, particularly after her acclaimed ‘19 debut album Over It and her Billboard 200-topping sophomore challenge Nonetheless Over It in 2021, Walker’s ceiling is limitless together with her fiery breakup anthems hooking extra followers with each new launch. As Billboard famous final March, “The taciturn Atlanta native communicates the best way she is aware of finest: by squeezing each tragedy and triumph into buttery-smooth R&B songs.” — C.L. 

Expertise supervisor Ward helped Future benefit from the largest wins of his profession when his ninth studio album, I NEVER LIKED YOU, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2022. The album additionally spawned his first No. 1 on the Sizzling 100 as a lead artist with “Wait 4 U,” which later netted finest rap melodic efficiency on the 2023 Grammy Awards. Ward herself stepped to the forefront as chairwoman/CEO of eleventh & Co, the Black women-led administration agency she based earlier this yr. Her shopper roster additionally consists of Gunna — who scored two Sizzling 100 high 10 hits in consecutive years (2022’s “Pushin P,” 2023’s “Fukumean”) and a second Billboard 200 No. 1 in 2022 with DS4Ever — along with acclaimed rapper Flo Milli and NBA star James Harden. — C.L.