Whether it’s sports (shoutout to Victor Wembanyama), entertainment, or music, some rookies burst onto the scene seemingly out of nowhere, planting their flag and declaring it’s their time to shine. A rookie is typically a newcomer to the mainstream scene who has recently started gaining widespread recognition, either through a breakout hit, a critically acclaimed debut project, or a strong presence in the culture.
Rookie Awards are not meant to highlight obscure underground rappers with a small but passionate community. While those artists deserve recognition (in other roundups), this award is for artists making significant strides that signal they’re on the brink of stardom with lots of potential for longevity in the game.
Below, find out why our winner and the three other nominees were historically significant for 2024.
Rookie of the Year: BossMan Dlow
Qualifying work: “Get In With Me,” “Mr Pot Scraper,” “PJ,” Mr Beat The Road, Dlow Curry
BossMan Dlow hit the ground running this year, convincing the world that if they wanna be a boss, “all you gotta do is get in with me.” His breakthrough single, “Get In With Me,” marked the return of hustler rap, spitting motivational bars about chasing the bag and carelessly spending it. Dlow’s anthems came at the right time and were a refreshing diversion from the street rap that focuses on violence and the economic uncertainties of a recession.
His second mixtape, Mr Beat The Road, invites you into a world of grind and glory. Over 17 tracks, you learn how to be “the biggest” or a “real-motion-getter,” driving at “I don’t love my life” speed in your Bentley Bentayga. It’s full of infectious lyrics, and you can’t help but match Dlow’s energy, shouting, “Thousand-dollar shoes, I’m walkin’ on a damn ounce,” when “Mr Pot Scraper” comes on in the club.
2024 was also the year of co-signs for Dlow, collaborating with Lil Baby about private-jet lifestyles on “PJ” and being the richest in the south with Rob49 on “Lil Bastard.” He released his debut studio album, Dlow Curry, at the end of the year, ringing in more features from NoCap, Ice Spice, French Montana, BabyFace Ray, and GloRilla.
Both projects Dlow released this year are full of dope-dealing motivations that don’t tire. Whether he’s spitting a new variation of boss nicknames, driving recklessly with vivid sound effects (“I’m in traffic, drivin’ a fuckin’ G-Wagon like a Honda”), or hollering about popping designer tags (“I’ll buy you Chrome Heart, let me nail you to the cross, baby”) he keeps you locked in with turnt-up enthusiasm.
For anyone who doubted his potential, Dlow proved he’s here to stay, and he’s just getting started. The output and growth he achieved in 2024 is more than some artists attain over the course of multiple years, which is why he’s our Rookie of the Year.
Nominee: Cash Cobain
Qualifying work: “Fisherrr,” “Rump Punch,” “Attitude,” Play Cash Cobain
What Pop Smoke was to New York drill, Cash Cobain is to sexy drill. The success of his song “Fisherrr,” put a bigger spotlight on the subgenre that favors sensual melodic lyrics over street violence than ever before. He picked up the pace by releasing the “Fisherrr” remix with fellow Bronx native Ice Spice and appeared on A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s single “Body.”
By summertime, Cash was everywhere. His biggest mainstream placement was Don Toliver’s “ATTITUDE,” serving as producer and feature artist. He gave the beat his drill touch balanced by the melodic delivery he and Don excel at. By the time Cash released “Rump Punch” to promote his debut album, it was clear he’d significantly broadened his reach.
Play Cash Cobain dropped to solid feedback, and even though Cash didn’t win our Rookie of the Year, he’s undeniably the pioneer of sexy drill, paving the way for more success in the future.
Nominee: BigXthaPlug
Qualifying work: Meet the 6ixers, TAKE CARE, “The Largest”
In 2024, BigXthaPlug continued to show the world how he’s “The Largest,” drawing comparisons to the raw energy of Texas legends like Trae Tha Truth and Bun B, while also bringing a fresh twist to the genre. The XXL Freshman made waves with the release of his collaborative mixtape, Meet the 6ixers, alongside fellow Texas rappers Ro$ama and Yung Hood, both signed to his 600 Entertainment label.
Just months later, he dropped his second studio album, TAKE CARE, which was marked by a mix of hard-hitting beats, melodic flows, and lyrical depth, drawing on both personal experiences and the broader Texas rap scene. His ability to craft hooks that stay stuck in your head, combined with his unapologetic storytelling, has made his music resonate with a wide audience.
To promote the album, BigX wrapped up his tour on December 13 with an electrifying performance at Rolling Loud, capping off a series of sold-out shows that solidified his growing fanbase.
Nominee: ian
Qualifying work: Valedictorian, Goodbye Horses, “Hate Me,” “Figure it Out”
At first glance, Ian might seem like someone you’d trust to file your taxes, but the frat boy aesthetic worked in his “cover doesn’t match the book” favor. Ian has steadily built his presence on social media, drawing attention with creative performances like the dinner table scene in the music video for “Figure It Out” from his From The Block project.
In May, Ian dropped his debut mixtape, Valedictorian, which quickly made its way onto the Billboard 200. Despite facing accusations of “swagger-jacking” from critics, Ian took it all in stride, flipping the narrative with confidence and continuing to put out new music.
His collaborations—ironically with Lil Yachty on “Hate Me” and Chief Keef on “Sh*t Sad”—showcase his range and ability to collaborate with some of the biggest names in rap. All the while, he’s cultivated a loyal, ride-or-die fanbase that’s grown with him every step of the way.
Whether you love him or hate him, Ian spent 2024 unapologetically carving out his own space in the rap game.
