Every year, new talent emerges—though many have spent years honing their craft before catching a fan’s attention, let alone mainstream recognition. Rap faces an even tougher climb, with limited airplay making it harder for artists to gain traction. That’s why it’s always exciting to see someone push past the odds and make their mark. Based on streams, buzz, uniqueness, and critical acclaim, here are seven rap acts poised for a breakthrough in 2025. ALSO READ: Is Rwandan hip-hop dead or has it evolved? What industry players say Taz Taz first made waves in 2022 at Rap City, Kigali’s first-ever cypher at BK Arena, where he competed among battle rappers vying for a spot as BK Arena artistes. Though he finished as a runner-up, true recognition didn’t come until 2023, when he joined the GMF collective. That year, he dropped No Kaiza Shit—arguably his breakout track—while also featuring on Exodus and Speed Race EPs. His collective’s consistency paid off in 2024 with the release of Exit EP, a five-track project that saw Exit—featuring Taz, Hollix, and PoppA—become a street anthem. Producer AY, the mastermind behind Exit EP, admitted in an interview, “We had no idea that song would blow up like it did, but once the hype caught on, we had to drop visuals as soon as possible.” ALSO READ: Five emerging gospel artistes set to make waves in 2025 Taz kept up the momentum, appearing on multiple tracks from Ideas, a GMF mixtape, including Champagne, 5 Niggas, Beamer, Who? and Die Tryin’. He also released Pain and Forever with GMF, before debuting his solo project, Young King. The EP delivered a few standout tracks—Fasho Shit, Cent, and Truth—that racked up impressive streams. With his rising numbers and relentless work ethic, Taz is proving he’s more than just an up-and-comer—he’s one to watch in 2025. LoverBoy & Xeventeen Not pairing these two would be a disservice. Signed under Kenny K-Shot’s Intare Soundwave Initiative, LoverBoy and Xeventeen had a buzz even before the deal. Their breakout track Ni Wane, Ni Wana became a street anthem in 2022, followed by solo EPs—LoverBoy’s Selfmade and Xeventeen’s DeuxCinqZero—both well received. They have also made their mark on Rwanda Rw’ejo albums, known for spotlighting rising rap acts, and recently appeared on Kenny K-Shot’s Intare 2.0. Beyond official releases, their social media freestyles have drawn solid numbers over the years. What makes them the ones to watch in 2025 is their constant experimentation across rap subgenres—drill, trap, Jersey, emo rap, Detroit, and more. According to the duo, this year will bring even more versatility, starting with Triple Texting, a collaborative tape with melodic rapper Sobermind. Josskid Josskid represents Rubavu like few before him. In 2024, he made his presence felt with relentless releases, including Mugabo wa Cyenda, an EP that introduced a raw, storytelling-driven sound to the rap scene. His music sheds light on untold street narratives, giving voice to realities often overlooked. His breakthrough came in 2023 with Story ya Bizi, part of the Nyiribambe EP, a project that put his lyrical prowess on display. His talent caught the attention of music curator RMH, earning him a spot on Ndigukaba III, the annual project showcasing rising rap acts, which dropped as 2024 wrapped up. What makes him one to watch? His ability to craft vivid, real-life storytelling in a way few rappers are doing right now. Long Jay Joie Emmanuel Bicamumpaka, better known as Long Jay, has been rapping since he was 14. He made his debut in 2010 with Urukuta rw'Ubutumwa, but his evolution as an artiste since then has been nothing short of remarkable. Long Jay’s music is deeply rooted in street life, capturing the challenges faced by young adults and rising artistes. Over the years, he’s collaborated with hip-hop favorites like Racine, Red Ink, Ririmba, and Og2tone. His debut album, Long Journey, dropped in 2024, blending elements of rage and melodic rap. Known for creating cinematic visuals for his songs, Long Jay brings a script-like narrative to his music videos, not just rapping in front of a camera. With this momentum, he’s an artist to watch in 2025. Hermes Hermes made his debut in 2019 during the trap boom, initially gaining attention in the Kinyatrap subgenre. However, it wasn’t until 2024 that his career truly took off. Now signed to True Melodies Music alongside rising stars Producer Mantis1st, Nzeythegreat, and Renee, Hermes has evolved his sound to focus more on storytelling. Since his breakout track AMI with Taz, his flow has matured, as evident in tracks like Abavetera and Shame. With his unique style and consistent output, Hermes is definitely an artist to watch. Risine Kent Female rappers are still a rarity on the rise, and many feel women shy away from the genre. But Risine Kent is proving them wrong. A drill rapper who made waves after her appearance on the popular Uptrend Podcast, she’s quickly gained attention with just two singles—Kuza and Indyarya. Amassing over 150,000 streams across platforms, Risine has shown that she’s ready for the spotlight. With only a couple of tracks out since 2023, her consistency will be key, but if she continues on this trajectory, she’s the “it girl” to watch.