Your Cheat Sheet for Telling All the SoundCloud Rappers Apart

Let this be your guide. Photo-Illustration: Maya Robinson/Vulture and Photos by Getty Images

For those over the age of 25, or perhaps just a piffling out of the loop, you could be forgiven for lumping the by year's wave of "SoundCloud rappers" into ane very colorful pile of teenagers from Florida who don't care about Tupac. But given the increasing influence this young and powerful new group of musicians has both on the charts and hip-hop culture at the moment, it's probably worth your time to larn a affair or two. To prime you for breakout star Lil Xan's debut anthology this week, we've compiled a quick cheat canvass to help differentiate between the ever-changing hairstyles, face up tattoos, and unpronounceable names of the newest SoundCloud generation.

The Lils

Lil Xan (a.k.a. Diego)

Age: 21
Hometown: Redlands, California.
Recognizable Confront Tattoos: Lil Xan has tattoos on each of his cheeks — "ZZZ" and now "Lover" on the correct side, and "processed," a heart, and "soldier" on his left. He also has the word "Xanarchy" higher up his left countenance, and his birth year, 1996, on his left temple.
Pilus Colour (correct at present): Dark-brown and pink.
Drug of Option: Xanax, originally, hence the name "Lil Xan." Last yr, though, he swore off the drug, and post-obit young man SoundCloud rapper Lil Peep's fatal drug overdose in November, became a song supporter of what he calls the "anti-Xanax movement."
That Ane Song You lot Might Know: "Betrayed," a take on Xanax addiction.
Worst Controversy (and so far): Lil Xan caught some estrus recently for calling Tupac Shakur's music "wearisome," and giving it a 2 out of x rating. Following that interview'southward release, Xan became the target of an onslaught of angry tweets, think pieces, and even an angry mob of Tupac fans at a Del Taco in Redlands. He quickly tried to rewrite the narrative: At a live show on March 23, he performed "California Love," and later told the crowd, "The media twisted my words, I retrieve Tupac is a legend."

Lil Pump

Age: 17
Hometown: Miami, Florida.
Most Recognizable Face up Tattoos: A rocket under his right middle, and two stars adjacent to his left.
Hair Color (right now): According to his Instagram, his dreadlocks are now a purplish color, with some hints of peroxide blonde.
Drug of Choice: Like Lil Xan, Lil Pump used to be a lover of Xanax also equally lean (codeine cough syrup) and other prescription painkillers. In January, though, he said he had given up Xanax, and now says he is "drug costless."
That One Vocal You Might Know: "Gucci Gang," which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Worst Controversy (so far): In February, Pump was arrested for firing a handgun outside the door of his house in California. He was released from juvenile courtroom the side by side day with an ankle monitor.

Lil Skies

Age: 19
Hometown: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.
Most Recognizable Face Tattoos: A rose on his left cheek with the word "faith" underneath, the word "life" and a love heart above his left eyebrow, a musical annotation above his nose, an ballast below his correct center, and the give-and-take "destiny" on the right side of his jaw, and the words "cold eye" in Japanese under his left eye.
Hair Color (right at present): An orangey, pinkish hue.
Drug of Pick: Marijuana.
That One Song You Might Know: The melancholy "Red Roses" and "Present."
Worst Controversy (so far): Lil Skies has managed to stay relatively drama-complimentary so far, though he did cancel the balance of his "Nighttime Rose" bout last week citing "unforeseen health issues."

Lil Wop

Historic period: 24
Hometown: Chicago, but he is at present based in Atlanta.
Most Recognizable Face Tattoos: A sword over his correct eye, an ice-cream cone on his right cheek (in honor of his hero, Gucci Mane), stitches over his left eye and a broken heart underneath it, bats going down his left cheek.
Hair Colour (right now): Brown/black.
Drug of Choice: Indica marijuana. ("If you a sativa bowwow, I detest you lot," he said in an interview last year.)
That One Song You Might Know: The zombie-like "Lost My Heed," which features the aspirational refrain "Growing upwardly I wanna be like Gucci." (Presently after its release, Wop actually signed to Gucci Mane'southward 1017 Eskimos label.)
Worst Controversy (and then far): Though Lil Wop's lyrics are often unsavory, and sometimes bordering on terrifying (they don't call it "horrorcore" for nothing), Lil Wop hasn't encountered any publicized legal problem or backlash simply even so.

Honorable mentions get to some of the "Lil" SoundCloud pioneers who have now gone mainstream: Lil Yachty and Lil Uzi Vert, as well as the belatedly Lil Peep.

The Creative Spellers

6IX9INE (a.g.a. Tekashi69)

Age: 21
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York.
Almost Recognizable Face Tattoos: Lots, merely the number 69 on the right side of his forehead, along with the words "vi nine" written twice on the left side, are more enough to identify him.
Drug of Choice: Cocaine, Xanax, weed. In an interview with Mass Appeal last year, though, he downplayed his drug use. "Me and the drugs don't go along like that," he said. "I don't need to pop 25 fucking xans or drink a pint of lean to exist like 'damn, I feel like myself.'''
Pilus Color (right at present): A rainbow melange.
That Ane Song You Might Know: "Gummo," which reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Worst Controversy (so far): In 2015, 6ix9ine pled guilty to felony charges of "use of a child for a sexual performance," for an incident involving a 13 twelvemonth old. Earlier this, he as well served jail fourth dimension as a minor for assault and selling heroin. Most recently, 6ix9ine has get involved in public fights with The Game and YG over his claimed gang affiliation with the bloods — which both YG and The Game take questioned — and refusal to "bank check in" with gang members when he traveled to Fifty.A.

XXXTentacion

Age: 20
Hometown: Pompano Embankment and Lauderhill, Florida.
Most Recognizable Face Tattoos: A tree in the heart of his brow, "bad vibes" on his eyelids, "numb" in red underneath his left heart, "lonely" above his right countenance, and a broken middle on his right cheek.
Hair Color (right at present): Blue, black.
Drug of Selection: Prescription painkillers, marijuana, lean.
That One Song You Might Know: "Look at Me," "Sad," "Changes."
Worst Controversy (so far): XXXtentacion has been accused of several violent crimes. The most recent and nigh shocking of these involves the declared kidnapping and aggravated bombardment of his then-meaning girlfriend.

Trippie Redd

Age: 18
Hometown: Canton, Ohio.
Most Recognizable Face Tattoos: A red number "14" between his eyebrows, "Love Scars" nether his left center, "Oomp's Revenge" on his right cheek.
Hair Colour (right now): Scarlet!
Drug of Option: Marijuana.
That One Song You Might Know: "Love Scars," "Poles1469" with 6ix9ine, and "Dark Knight Dummo" with Travis Scott.
Worst Controversy (and then far): Trippie Redd has gotten into a couple of public disputes with other SoundCloud Rappers over the last year. In April 2017, he distanced himself from past collaborator 6ix9ine, tweeting, "I'g sorry brozay, 1400 don't promote pedophiles…" So in October, after working with Drake on a vocal, Trippie Redd began fighting with XXXtentacion, who has had issues with Drake over his song "KMT" (which X claims uses his "Look at Me" flow). In March, XXXtentacion declared that Trippie Redd was "banned" from Florida.

Juice WRLD

Age: 19
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois.
Almost Recognizable Confront Tattoos: None nonetheless.
Pilus Color (right now): Bleached blonde/brown.
Drug of Choice: Originally Xanax, though he says he has now given it up.
That One Song You lot Might Know: The emo-influenced "All Girls Are the Same," and "Lucid Dreams."
Worst Controversy (then far): Juice Wrld seems to have avoided public controversy so far. He did, yet, sign a widely publicized deal with Interscope in March reported to be worth over $3 meg.

Smokepurpp

Age: 20
Hometown: Miami, Florida.
Nearly Recognizable Confront Tattoos: A star under his left centre.
Hair Color (right now): Blackness/brownish.
Drug of Choice: Weed and lean.
That One Song You Might Know: "Audi," "123" with Murda Beatz, and "Do Not Disturb" with Murda Beatz, Offset, and Lil Yachty.
Worst Controversy (so far): Smokepurpp's Instagram is filled with pictures of him holding guns of varying sizes and types.

BlocBoy JB

Age: 21
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee.
Almost Recognizable Face Tattoos: None yet.
Hair Color (correct now): Black/brown.
Drug of Choice: Marijuana.
That One Song You lot Might Know: "Look Alive" with Drake, which made it to No. v on the Hot 100.
Worst Controversy (so far): Blocboy made local news in Memphis last October after he posted a video on Facebook, which appeared to testify him gambling at a Memphis high school during schoolhouse hours.

Tay-Grand

Age: 17
Hometown: Arlington, Texas.
Most Recognizable Face Tattoos: None yet.
Drug of Option : Tay-K has been in jail since last yr, so hopefully none.
Pilus Color (correct at present): Blackness/brown.
That 1 Vocal Yous Might Know: "The Race," "Murder She Wrote."
Worst Controversy (so far): Tay-K is currently pending trial for capital murder and aggravated robbery charges.

An honorable mention goes to Bhad Bhabie, f.k.a. the "Cash Me Outside Girl."

The Ys

YBN Nahmir

Historic period: 18
Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama.
About Recognizable Face Tattoos: None, just he does accept braces.
Pilus Color (right now): Blackness/dark-brown.
Drug of Choice: Marijuana.
That I Song Y'all Might Know: The West Declension–tinged "Rubbin Off the Paint."
Worst Controversy (so far): He often features guns in his videos and Instagram posts, which he says his parents hate.

YBN Almighty Jay

Age: 18
Hometown: Houston, Texas.
Well-nigh Recognizable Face Tattoos: Similar his boyfriend YBN member (YBN stands for Young Dominate Nigga, past the mode), Almighty Jay is currently face-tattoo free.
Hair Color (right at present): Blackness/chocolate-brown.
Drug of Selection: Marijuana. "I don't sip lean. That shit'southward not cool. Shit's wack," he said in an interview in March.
That One Song You Might Know: "Chopsticks," "No Hook" with YBN Nahmir.
Worst Controversy (so far): YBN Almighty Jay is currently dating Blac Chyna, who is xi years his senior, an historic period gap that has attracted plenty of blog scrutiny (and jokes). Merely, hey, if Leo can still date 20-year-olds at 43, they tin can enjoy their young love in peace.

Yung Bans

Age: xviii
Hometown: Wedlock City, Georgia.
Most Recognizable Confront Tattoos: "Cash Rules" on the left side of his brow, "YB" on the right side.
Pilus Colour (right at present): Peroxide blonde.
Drug of Pick: Hopefully none right at present considering he is currently on house arrest.
That One Song Y'all Might Know: "4tspoon" with Playboi Carti, "Lonely" with Lil Skies.
Worst Controversy (so far): Yung Banz is currently facing murder and break-in charges, and has been on house arrest for over two years.

Yung Pinch

Historic period: 20
Hometown: Huntington Beach, California.
Most Recognizable Confront Tattoos: None yet.
Hair Colour (right now): Yung Pinch's long, flowing locks are currently a natural light-brown color.
Drug of Selection: Weed, bro.
That I Song You Might Know: The melodic "When I Was Yung," "Stone With United states," and "Look Like."
Worst Controversy (and so far): None yet. He's simply a laid-dorsum dude, man.

Honorable mentions go to the at present practically geriatric YFN Lucci (who, at 27, is dating Lil Wayne's nineteen-yr-one-time daughter) and Sweden'south Yung Lean, who hopped on the SoundCloud wave early.

The (Almost) Full Sentences

Ski Mask the Slump God

Age: 21
Hometown: Broward County, Florida.
Virtually Recognizable Face Tattoos: Lips on his right cheek, "very rare" below his right eye, "777" on the left side of his nose, and "Revenge" on his left cheek.
Pilus Color (correct now): Black/dark-brown.
Drug of Choice: Xanax, marijuana, alcohol
That One Song Yous Might Know: "Catch Me Outside," "BabyWipe," and the highly distorted "Take a Step Back" with XXXtentacion.
Worst Controversy (and then far): Before his career took off, Ski Mask spent a period of fourth dimension in juvenile detention, where he met XXXtentacion. The two became close friends and frequent collaborators, although they had a falling out on social media last yr. He has also had an ongoing beef with the rapper Rob $tone, which resulted in a physical fight at a show last April.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

Historic period: 22
Hometown: Bronx, New York.
Well-nigh Recognizable Face Tattoos: None even so.
Hair Color (right now): Black/brownish.
Drug of Pick: Marijuana.
That One Song You Might Know: "Drowning" with Kodak Blackness, "Keke" with 6ix9ine and Fetty Wap.
Worst Controversy (and then far): At the Rolling Loud festival final yr in Mountain View, California, Lil B claimed that A Boogie and his crew jumped him and stole his equipment, though the two rappers afterwards reconciled on Twitter.

YoungBoy Never Broke Once more (a.one thousand.a. NBA YoungBoy)

Age: 18
Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Most Recognizable Face Tattoos: None, only he has ii noticeable scars on his forehead.
Hair Color (right at present): Black/brown.
Drug of Pick: Lean, weed.
That One Song You Might Know: "Outside Today," "No Smoke," "Untouchable."
Worst Controversy (and then far): In Nov 2016, YoungBoy was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder for shooting at a group of people in a Baton Rouge street; he served about 9 months in jail. In August 2017, he received a x-yr suspended judgement for his involvement in a dissever bulldoze-by shooting in 2016. This February, he was arrested again on charges of aggravated assault and kidnapping related to a domestic-violence incident with his and so girlfriend. A few days after his arrest, a video leaked online showing surveillance footage of YoungBoy assaulting the adult female in question.

An honorable mention goes to Rich The Kid, who signed Famous Dex and YBN Almighty Jay to his Rich Forever Music label.

The Adjectives

Famous Dex

Historic period: 24
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois.
Most Recognizable Face Tattoos: Two pictures of kiss-marks/lips on his right cheek, "Diana" on his left cheek bone, "Baby Dex" on his right cheekbone, breast cancer awareness ribbon on his left cheek.
Hair Color (right now): Currently black/dark-brown, only his dreadlocks were imperial for a long fourth dimension.
Drug of Choice: Lean.
That One Song You Might Know: "Pick It Upwardly" with A$AP Rocky.
Worst Controversy (so far): In September of 2016, a video surfaced online actualization to show Dex beating up his girlfriend.

Rico Nasty

Age: xx
Hometown: Washington, D.C. area.
Well-nigh Recognizable Face Tattoos: None.
Pilus Color (right now): Who knows? Rico Nasty often wears her hair in spikes with her natural colour, but she also has a drove of different colored wigs.
Drug of Choice: In an interview last twelvemonth, Rico Nasty said she was expelled from school for smoking weed.
That One Song Y'all Might Know: "iCarly," "Hey Arnold," "Poppin" (not to be confused with Asian Doll'south song of the same name).
Worst Controversy (so far): Rico Nasty has an ongoing feud with fellow rapper Asian Doll. Later trading insults online, the beef got concrete early on this year, when the two got into a fistfight.

Asian Doll

Age: twenty
Hometown: Dallas, Texas.
Most Recognizable Face Tattoos: None nevertheless, but she often wears sparkles nether her optics.
Hair Color (right now): Pink and royal.
Drug of Choice: According to her songs, Xanax and marijuana.
That Ane Song Y'all Might Know: "Poppin" featuring PnB Rock.
Worst Controversy (so far): Asian Doll has beef with several other rappers, including Cuban Doll and Rico Nasty.

Ugly God

Age: 21
Hometown: Based in Houston, Texas.
Well-nigh Recognizable Confront Tattoos: None yet.
Hair Color (correct now): Black/brownish.
Drug of Choice: None – he's sober.
That Ane Song You lot Might Know: "H2o," "I Shell My Meat," "Bernie Sanders."
Worst Controversy (so far): Ugly God said his Instagram account was deleted before this twelvemonth afterwards he fabricated a post arguing that the Earth might be flat. "The Earth is supposedly round, just we're not allowed to visit the 2 poles of the Earth (the But affair that will prove/disprove this)," he wrote in the post. He also has a hilarious meme account, though, so the jury's out on whether he was joking.

How to Tell All the SoundCloud Rappers Apart