Top 10 Hip Hop Blogs and Playlists That Will Actually Feature Your Music

For independent hip hop artists, blogs and playlists are still one of the best ways to gain exposure. But here’s the truth: not every blog or playlist will respond, and many are gatekept by labels. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 10 hip hop blogs and playlists that actually feature independent artists in 2025.

1. Lyrical Lemonade

Known for breaking new artists, especially in rap and hip hop. Submissions are competitive but worth it for the exposure.

2. HotNewHipHop (HNHH)

A long-standing site that features music premieres, news, and reviews. They accept indie submissions through their platform.

3. Elevator Mag

Covers underground hip hop and emerging talent. Perfect for indie artists with unique visuals and sounds.

4. UPN6XT

Dedicated to highlighting who’s next in hip hop, R&B, and global sounds. Independent artists can submit music directly.

5. ThisIs50

Founded by 50 Cent, it still runs strong with music premieres and indie features.

6. Rap Nation Playlists (YouTube & Spotify)

A massive platform for hip hop artists. Submission links are open to rising talent.

7. Audiomack Verified Playlists

Audiomack supports indie hip hop artists more than most streaming platforms. Their playlists can give huge exposure.

8. Hype Machine

Blog aggregator that pushes music to listeners worldwide. Submitting to blogs on their network can get you trending.

9. IndieHipHop.com

Focused 100% on unsigned artists. Great place for indie hip hop submissions.

10. Spotify Editorial & Independent Curators

Smaller curated playlists (with 1K–10K followers) can generate real engaged streams faster than major editorial lists.

Getting featured isn’t just about luck—it’s about submitting strategically, building relationships with curators, and presenting your music professionally. Start with these 10 hip hop blogs and playlists, and you’ll be on your way to real exposure.