Top Latin American Hip-Hop Stars

Hip hop sees something of a resurgence in Latin America with a new wave of artists bringing fresh ideas to the scene.

Among the pioneers in Central America are Rebeca Lane and Nakury, from Guatemala and Costa Rica respectively, who are breaking down the barriers to a traditionally macho hip-hop culture with their feminist lyrics. Thanks to initiatives such as the Somos Guerreras tour, from Panama to Mexico, they are inspiring women and girls to express themselves through hip-hop culture.

There are also plenty of things to keep an eye on in South America, where Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux is working on a new album. Up in Peru, Liberato Kani is making indigenous languages more visible with his Quechua hip hop, and over in Argentina trap artist Cazzu is right on trend.

In Colombia, Lil Ark fuses traditional Afro-Colombian sounds with hip hop, rap and trap, while Dominican rapper Shecka Sanchez has a tough lyrical style as well as writing all of her own songs.

It’s an exciting time for hip hop in Latin America, with women and indigenous artists making inroads and diversifying the scene. Keep an eye on the artists mentioned here over the next year or so.