Hip-hop has grown from an underground movement into one of Malaysia’s most influential music scenes, producing artists who continue to push creative boundaries and shape local culture. From lyrical storytellers and chart-topping hitmakers to genre-bending innovators, Malaysian rappers have built a unique identity that blends global hip-hop influences with local languages, experiences and sounds. Their music reflects the country’s diversity, energy and evolving youth culture while reaching audiences far beyond its borders. In this issue, Top 10 Malaysia spotlights the Top 10 Rappers in Malaysia (presented in no particular order) — artists whose talent, impact and contributions have helped define and elevate the nation’s rap scene.
Gard
Long before establishing himself as a composer and writer, Gard was a passionate hip-hop enthusiast immersed in the local scene. His journey began at BeatNation beatbox gatherings, where he connected with fellow creatives who shared his love for hip-hop and first crossed paths with Jin Hackman. As he started recording music between Kampung Penchala and Kepong, he met collaborators AP Offgrid and Wuzgut, relationships that would eventually lead to the founding of Slatan in 2019. Built alongside a close-knit team and supported by manager Afiq Ali, Slatan has since grown into a collective of 13 producers, songwriters and creatives. Over the years, Gard has collaborated with notable local talents including Lucidrari on Gadisku, Dancrack and Emrun on Blue Subaru and most recently, NJWA for his upcoming album. Among his early career highlights were award nominations alongside Joe Flizzow for Berlian and Alyph for Sorok Muka.
Ical Mosh
IcalMosh is a Malaysian rapper, songwriter and independent recording artist celebrated for his emotionally driven storytelling and distinctive blend of modern hip-hop, trap and melodic rap. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences, social realities and moments of self-reflection, his music resonates deeply with listeners through its honesty, vulnerability and relatable narratives. Over the years, he has cultivated a dedicated fanbase while amassing tens of millions of streams across digital platforms. Standout tracks including Fitnah, Orang Macam Aku, Dunia Kejam, Dunia Kejam 2 and Kunci have collectively surpassed 70 million plays on YouTube Music alone, cementing his place as one of the most compelling voices in Malaysia’s independent rap landscape. Motivated by authenticity and a commitment to artistic evolution, IcalMosh continues to push creative boundaries, representing a new wave of Malaysian hip-hop talent that is both impactful and unapologetically genuine.
Yunohoo
A multi-talented force in Malaysia’s entertainment scene, Yunohoo (Shamnkeri Pillai), has built a remarkable career as a rapper, singer, actress and fire performer. She first entered the spotlight under the stage name RubbaBend as part of the ground breaking Malaysian hip-hop collective Psycho Unit before rebranding and carving out her own identity as Yunohoo, becoming one of the most prominent female figures in Malaysian Tamil music. Her career has taken her across the globe, with performances in countries including Switzerland, Denmark, India and Singapore, having shared the spotlight with international acts such as The Chainsmokers during Heineken’s concert series. Beyond music, she has collaborated with renowned Indian composers Yuvan Shankar Raja and Leon James, acted in films and television dramas, judged rap competitions and earned recognition as RAAGA’s Best Malaysian Artist. With millions of online views and a hit music video surpassing 30 million views, Yunohoo remains a leading voice in contemporary Tamil entertainment.
Eemrun
Standing as one of the leading voices in Malaysia’s New Wave hip-hop and R&B movement, Eemrun emerged from the underground SoundCloud community, where his unique artistry first began to gain attention. The artist and producer soon established himself as a key member of the Midlyfe Records collective, earning recognition for atmospheric productions that seamlessly fuse hard-hitting rap with contemporary melodic R&B. His artistic vision reached new heights with the release of his breakthrough 2024 album SUPERNATURAL, which garnered widespread acclaim and sparked viral milestones. The momentum was further solidified by the landmark sold-out MENARA BERKEMBAR live shows, cementing his status as one of the country’s most influential young artists. Promising a bold new sonic chapter, 333 is a forthcoming project that reflects Eemrun’s commitment to constant reinvention. By continually challenging creative boundaries, he is not only contributing to the evolution of Malaysian music but helping define its future on a global stage.
Meerfly
Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, MeerFly has established himself as one of Malaysia’s most prominent independent rap artists, recognised for balancing commercial success with a distinctive artistic identity. A rapper, songwriter, producer and performer, he remains fully hands-on throughout the entire music-making process, writing, producing, recording and performing his own material while maintaining complete artistic control. Over the years, MeerFly has built an impressive catalogue of hit releases that have amassed millions of streams and views across digital platforms, earning a loyal and growing audience. His versatility has led to collaborations with major brands, including Shopee, Apple, PUBG, Mamee and Spritzer. His work also extends into film and television, where he has contributed original compositions and soundtracks for various movies and drama productions. Recognised for his ability to blend authentic storytelling with commercial appeal, MeerFly continues to be one of Malaysia’s notable independent rap artists, delivering music that resonate with diverse audiences across the region.
Yonnyboii
Emerging as one of Malaysia’s most influential hip-hop artists, Yonnyboii has built a reputation as a talented rapper and accomplished producer, further cemented with a debut single, Takut alongside Caprice that has garnered around 7.9M views on YouTube. Yonnyboii achieved more than 10 million views on YouTube with his songs titled Sakit, Takut, Salahku and Tak Sangka. Sakit has also been #1 on the domestic RIM ‘Most Streamed Singles in Malaysia’ chart for eight consecutive weeks. As a producer, he has worked with the late Siti Sarah on her single, Dap Dap Dap (Manis) in 2020. Yonnyboii’s recent work Tak Sangka has reached 17M views in just 11 months. A recipient of the prestigious AIM Award for Best Album, Yonnyboii further solidified his artistic standing with the release of his second album, Persona. His latest single titled Tanya Tuhan was released as a collaboration with Malique, which has gained nearly 800k views in just a month.
ForceParkBois
A powerhouse collective from Johor Bahru, ForceParkBois has become one of the most talked-about names in Malaysia’s hip-hop scene since its formation in 2018. Made up of ten distinct artists, the crew thrives on individuality, with each member contributing a unique style and perspective that shapes the group’s signature sound. More than just a rap crew, ForceParkBois represents ambition, resilience and relentless dedication to the craft. Their motto, “Live Like There’s No Tomorrow,” reflects the intensity they bring to every release, performance and collaboration. That determination paid off when they won the Most Streamed Song award at the 22nd Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM), marking a major milestone in their rise to prominence. With high-energy performances, sharp lyricism and infectious beats, ForceParkBois continues to connect with listeners across Malaysia. Fearless in expressing their identity and vision, the collective is steadily carving out a lasting legacy in the country’s evolving rap landscape.
Lucidrari
Lucidrari belongs to a new wave of Malaysian artists who refuse to be confined by genre, expectation, or convention. The singer, rapper, songwriter and creative visionary has built a reputation for crafting immersive musical worlds, blending alternative sounds and experimental influences into something entirely his own. His breakthrough came with the debut album corrupted at 16, which introduced audiences to his distinctive perspective and produced the charting single LAMPU BIRU, peaking at No. 8 on Malaysia’s Top 40 chart. He continued to push creative boundaries with CHRONOSPHERE in 2023, an ambitious release that debuted at No. 1 on Spotify’s Top 20 Malaysian Albums chart. In 2025, he expanded his reach with teletext, a genre-fluid collaborative project featuring notable local talents. Now working on his fourth studio album, Lucidrari has released the lead single sl0wd0wn and is expanding his creative realm through collaborations with Indonesian creatives, further strengthening his regional presence.
Zynakal
Throughout 2025 and 2026, Zynakal continued to strengthen his position as one of the most consistent artists and composers in the local music industry. Following the success of earlier releases, Zynakal introduced a series of new singles that showcased greater maturity in his lyricism and musical arrangements. In addition to his solo music career, Zynakal expanded his creative portfolio through involvement in the film industry when his song “Di Kala Malam” was selected as the official soundtrack for the local horror film “Dajal: Satu Malam Dipedajal.” The project provided him with an opportunity to explore a different musical dimension while maintaining the strong storytelling identity that has become his trademark. His ability to transform personal experiences into relatable songs has allowed him to remain relevant in an ever-evolving music landscape. Now, after nearly a decade in the industry, Zynakal appears poised to reach even greater heights and further solidify his influence within the Malaysian music industry.
Bunga
Bunga has emerged as one of the most influential figures in Malaysia’s contemporary hip-hop scene. Known for challenging conventions, she gained widespread attention after a viral freestyle performance in a traditional baju kurung, introducing a fresh image of what a rapper could be. Her breakthrough continued when she became a finalist on the acclaimed hip-hop platform 16 Baris, earning recognition from industry heavyweights and music fans alike. Bunga’s distinctive artistry and commitment to performing in a hijab attracted international attention, including a feature in The New York Times, which highlighted her as one of the world’s prominent hijabi rappers. In 2019, she signed with Warner Music Malaysia and achieved commercial success with her debut single, “Bunga.” Her career reached another milestone in 2023 when she opened for Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour in Kuala Lumpur, performing before more than 80,000 concertgoers and cementing her status as a trailblazer in Malaysian music.
