Every hip-hop era has its “Next Big Thing,” the artist destined for stadium tours and Grammy sweeps. But for every superstar that sticks, there are dozens of incredible talents who fizzle out due to label drama, style changes, or sheer bad luck. A redditor asked the community on r/hiphopheads:
[Which] “What If?/Next Big Thing” rapper’s careers were you the most disappointed to see never reach its full potential?
There’s some obvious reasons why some rappers never reached their full potential (Simply falling off, Getting caught up in legal issues, Not changing their sound, or even worse, Death) Which one were you the most shocked/disappointed by?
To make it more interesting, If you were in control of Hip-Hop history, how would you change the trajectory of a rapper’s career to make sure they reach their full potential?
In the thread, fans weigh in on the artists whose careers left them wondering “what could’ve been.”
1. Big K.R.I.T.
Many fans believe this Southern lyricist had the talent to stand alongside his generation’s titans, but despite a strong catalog, listeners feel he never quite secured the mainstream foothold needed.
2. Baby Keem
After a massive breakout alongside his cousin Kendrick Lamar, Keem seemed poised for immediate superstardom. However, fans worry that a lack of follow-up releases has allowed his buzzy momentum to cool off significantly compared to peers.
3. Pop Smoke
The drill rapper’s meteoric rise was tragically cut short, leaving fans to mourn not just the artist, but the entire subgenre shift he was leading. Many listeners believe he had the charisma and rugged sound to become a generational icon akin to 50 Cent.
4. Mac Miller
By the time of his passing, this artist had evolved from a “frat rapper” into a musically complex powerhouse. Fans lament the loss of his future contributions, particularly his potential to become an elite executive producer for other artists.
5. Vic Mensa
Initially celebrated for his clever lyricism and eclectic sound, Mensa eventually pivoted toward experimental and political themes that alienated some early supporters. Listeners feel he abandoned the specific lane that made his Innanetape mixtape so special.
6. Joey Bada$$
He burst onto the scene as the savior of classic New York boom-bap, but some redditors feel he never transcended that initial hype. While his music remains respected, people think he may have plateaued at “good” rather than ascending to “great.”
7. Papoose
A legend of the mixtape era, Papoose became infamous for an album delay that stretched on for years. By the time his official debut finally arrived, the genre had shifted beneath his feet, leaving his punchline-heavy style feeling like a relic.
8. ScHoolboy Q
Following the massive success of Oxymoron, expectations were sky-high for ScHoolboy Q. While he continues to release music, some fans argue he lost the spark or hunger that drove his earlier work, perhaps overshadowed by his labelmates.
9. Charles Hamilton
Once the poster child for the “blog era” of hip-hop, Hamilton’s career unraveled publicly due to personal struggles and industry conflicts. Fans view his story as a cautionary tale of immense talent derailed by a lack of support and burning too many bridges.
10. Bishop Lamont
Signed to Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label during a notorious dry spell, Lamont became a victim of what’s known as Dre’s “Detox” era — a time in the 2010s when his album kept getting delayed. Fans recall Lamont as a standout talent who got stuck in label purgatory, missing his window to shine while waiting for a green light that never came.
11. BROCKHAMPTON
This self-proclaimed “boy band” redefined the genre for a moment, but internal conflicts and lineup changes halted their ascent. For many, they were on the cusp of defining a generation before the group dynamic fractured.
It’s a reminder that talent alone isn’t always enough to succeed in the music industry — timing, luck, and consistency play huge roles in who gets remembered as an icon, and who becomes a cult favorite. Which artist do you think deserved a bigger spotlight?
Want more hip-hop conversations like this? Read the full opinions in r/hiphopheads, and check out more music discussions in r/rap, r/makinghiphop, and r/ListenToThis.
This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at [email protected].
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