From the 904 to the World: Meet the Female and Male Rappers Putting Jacksonville on the Map

Jacksonville, Florida, is a city that has been making waves in the rap scene for the past few years. With a thriving rap culture that is fueled by rivalries, violence, and viral music videos, Jacksonville rappers have gained national attention and recognition. However, while most of the spotlight has been on the male rappers from the city, there are also some talented female rappers who are making their mark in the industry. Here are some of the up and coming female rappers from Jacksonville that you should know.

Tokyo Jetz

Shauntrell Pender, who goes by the stage name Tokyo Jetz, was a talented poet as a child. She soon began rapping and songwriting and later became known as a member of the hip-hop collective Hustle Gang. Her freestyling videos went viral and she was noticed by fellow rapper T.I., who signed her to his record label. Tokyo Jetz has released several mixtapes and albums, such as Bonafide, Stimulus Package, and Cancel Culture. Some of her popular songs include “No Problem”, “Six Flags”, and “Respect”. Tokyo Jetz is one of the first female artists, as well one of the first Jacksonville rappers, to gain recognition and popularity in today’s era of rap music.

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Lil Kayla

Kayla Nicole Jones, better known as Lil Kayla, is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and social media influencer. She started her career as a comedian on YouTube and Instagram, where she amassed millions of followers with her hilarious videos and skits. She then transitioned into music and released her debut single “Make Me Mad” in 2019, which went viral on TikTok. Lil Kayla has since dropped more songs, such as “Move Like A Snake”, “Late Night”, and “Think About Me”. She is also known for her collaborations with other artists, such as YK Osiris, Mulatto, and Erica Banks. Lil Kayla is a versatile and charismatic performer who can switch from rap to R&B with ease.

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Lil Bit

Brittany Nicole Carpentero, aka Lil Bit, is a rapper and singer who was born in Panama City, Florida, but moved to Jacksonville at a young age. She grew up listening to rap music and was inspired by artists like Lil Kim, Trina, and Nicki Minaj. She started rapping in high school and began uploading her songs on SoundCloud and YouTube. Lil Bit has released several projects, such as The Come Up, The Takeover, and The Queen Is Here. Some of her notable tracks include “Money On My Mind”, “Boss Bitch”, and “No Cap”. Lil Bit is a confident and fierce rapper who delivers catchy hooks and witty bars.

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Yani Mo

Yani Mo is a rapper, singer, producer, and poet who was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but moved to Jacksonville when she was 12 years old. She started making music at 15 and released her first mixtape The Moment in 2015. She then followed up with more projects, such as The Moment II: The Sequel, Mo-Fiya!, and Mo-Fiya! Reloaded. Yani Mo is known for her smooth flow, soulful voice, and conscious lyrics. She blends rap with jazz, funk, soul, and R&B influences to create a unique sound. Some of her standout songs include “The Blues”, “Soul Food”, and “Good Day”. Yani Mo is a talented and versatile artist who aims to uplift and empower her listeners.

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These are some of the female rappers from Jacksonville who are making noise in the rap game. They are proving that they can hold their own against their male counterparts and represent their city with pride. Jacksonville rappers are also showing that there is more to Jacksonville rap than just violence and beefs. They are bringing diversity, creativity, and originality to the rap scene. They are the future of Jacksonville rap.

Some other up and coming rappers from Jacksonville are:

• Jdot Breezy: A rapper who is known for his raw and aggressive style. He is affiliated with the ATK gang and has beef with several other rappers from the city. He has released songs like “F*ck The Opps”, “ATK Anthem”, and “No Hook”. He is also featured on the viral song “Who I Smoke” by Spinabenz, Whoppa Wit Da Choppa, and Yungeen Ace.
• Lil Poppa: A rapper who is known for his melodic and emotional rap. He is signed to Interscope Records and has collaborated with artists like Polo G, Toosii, and Mozzy. He has released albums like Almost Normal, Evergreen Wildchild, and Blessed, I Guess. Some of his popular songs include “Eternal Living”, “Purple Hearts”, and “To The Point”.
• Tokyo Jetz: A rapper who is known for her freestyling skills and witty bars. She is a member of the hip-hop collective Hustle Gang and is signed to T.I.’s record label. She has released projects like Bonafide, Stimulus Package, and Cancel Culture. Some of her notable tracks include “No Problem”, “Six Flags”, and “Respect”.

Jacksonville FL rap Scene

The rap scene in Jacksonville is one of the most explosive and controversial in the country right now. It is characterized by a gritty, aggressive, and violent style of rap that often involves dissing and taunting rival gangs and rappers. Many of the rappers from Jacksonville are involved in real-life beefs and shootings that have resulted in deaths and injuries. Some of the rappers from Jacksonville have also gained attention for their viral songs and videos that use popular samples and remixes, such as “Who I Smoke” by Spinabenz, Whoppa Wit Da Choppa, Yungeen Ace, and FastMoney Goon, which samples Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles”¹, or “BeatBox” by SpotemGottem, which features a viral dance challenge on TikTok. 

The rap scene in Jacksonville is diverse and has many different artists with different styles and sounds, such as Tokyo Jetz, who is known for her freestyling skills and witty bars, or Yani Mo, who blends rap with jazz, funk, soul, and R&B influences. Rap scene in Jacksonville is also very competitive and influential, as many of the rappers from the city have signed to major labels or collaborated with other big names in the industry, such as T.I., Polo G, DaBaby, NLE Choppa, Pooh Shiesty, and more. The rap scene in Jacksonville is one of the most exciting and dynamic rap scenes in the nation right now, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

Some of the challenges facing Jacksonville rappers are:

• The lack of support and recognition from the mainstream music industry and media. Jacksonville rappers have often been overlooked or ignored by major labels, radio stations, and publications, despite their talent and popularity. Many of them have to rely on independent platforms, such as YouTube, SoundCloud, and social media, to promote their music and reach their fans.
• The violence and beefs that plague the rap scene in Jacksonville. Many of the rappers from the city are involved in real-life conflicts and shootings that have resulted in deaths and injuries. Some of these beefs are fueled by gang affiliations, neighborhood rivalries, personal issues, or musical competition. The rappers often diss and taunt each other on songs and videos, which can escalate the tensions and spark more violence.
• The legal troubles and arrests that hinder their careers. Several Jacksonville rappers have faced criminal charges or lawsuits for various offenses, such as murder, attempted murder, assault, robbery, drug possession, fraud, and more. Some of them have been incarcerated or placed on probation or house arrest, which limits their ability to make music and perform shows. Some of them have also been banned from certain venues or cities due to their rap beefs or criminal records

Jacksonville rappers have a distinct style and sound that sets them apart from other cities’ rap scenes. Some of the characteristics of Jacksonville rap are:

• It is influenced by the street life and culture of Duval County, which is one of the most violent and dangerous areas in Florida. Many of the rappers from Jacksonville rap about their real-life experiences, struggles, and conflicts with rival gangs and rappers. They often use graphic and explicit language to describe their reality.
• It is known for its viral songs and videos that use popular samples and remixes from other genres, such as pop, rock, R&B, and soul. Some of the examples are “Who I Smoke” by Spinabenz, Whoppa Wit Da Choppa, Yungeen Ace, and FastMoney Goon, which samples Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles”, or “BeatBox” by SpotemGottem, which features a viral dance challenge on TikTok². These songs and videos have gained millions of views and streams on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok.
• It is diverse and versatile, as it has many different artists with different styles and sounds. Some of the rappers from Jacksonville are more melodic and emotional, such as Yungeen Ace and Lil Poppa, while others are more aggressive and raw, such as Foolio and Nardo Wick. Some of the rappers from Jacksonville also blend rap with other influences, such as jazz, funk, soul, and R&B, such as Yani Mo.

Jacksonville rap can be compared to other cities’ rap scenes in terms of its popularity, influence, and quality. Some of the similarities and differences are:

• Jacksonville rap is similar to Chicago drill rap in terms of its violent and gritty content, its use of diss tracks and taunts, and its involvement in real-life beefs and shootings. However, Jacksonville rap is different from Chicago drill rap in terms of its musical style, as it uses more samples and remixes from other genres, and its regional slang and accent.
• Jacksonville rap is similar to Atlanta trap rap in terms of its catchy hooks, witty bars, and viral dance challenges. However, Jacksonville rap is different from Atlanta trap rap in terms of its lyrical depth, its focus on storytelling, and its representation of a less mainstream city.
• Jacksonville rap is similar to Miami bass rap in terms of its origin from Florida. Its use of fast-paced beats and bass lines, and its influence on the club scene. However, Jacksonville rap is different from Miami bass rap in terms of its darker and more serious tone. It’s lack of support from the mainstream music industry and media, and its emergence in a more recent era.

Jacksonville rap is one of the most exciting and dynamic rap scenes in the nation right now. It has a unique style and sound that reflects the city’s culture and history. Jacksonville has also produced some of the most talented and popular rappers in the industry. It is a rap scene that deserves more recognition and respect.