Hip Hop groups are nothing new to the genre, although, there’s something to be said about the singularity of hip hop artistic fame. By that we mean that more often than not, individual stardom in hip hop is more prevalent than group stardom. But, with the huge culture shift that has been occurring in this wonderful genre over the last few years, there’s something to be noted about the rise in hip hop groups.

Certain names come to mind when you think of current hip hop groups that are topping the charts and amassing large followings. So we at HHSE decided to dissect this trend and really discuss the cream of the crop. Yeah there are tons of artists out there, but which ones are really set up to succeed? That’s what we set out to answer with our list of the Hip Hop Groups Most Likely To Succeed.

10. Forever FC

Forever FC spawned on the map when member Lute dropped his highly popularized, Pete Rock-cosigned project, West1996. Since then, fellow members SchylerChaise, Ry and Jimmy Kel$o have released various tracks and projects, as well as a collaborative effort from the whole group (cosigned by 2DopeBoyz) called 704.

Each emcee has their own unique style, but together, they create a promising, young, talented set of minds that are a gift waiting to be unwrapped, a shiny, red balloon about to burst, or a secret about to be revealed. They truly are hip hop’s best kept secret, but with their authentic style and raw hip hop sound, there’s no reason the world won’t soon wake up to the team that is Forever FC.

– Stone

9. Kooley High

Kooley High is a North Carolinian collective featuring the likes of two dope producers – Foolery and The Sinopsis – a diamond-cut DJ – Ill Digitz – and three admirable emcees – Tab-One, Charlie Smarts, and, most notably, Rapsody. These hip hoppers herald six unique perspectives, all aimed toward one important goal: provide dope hip hop to a dope hip hop audience.

Since 2007 these artists have been working together, but have only recently garnered some well-deserved attention (arguably because of Rapsody’s successful, 9th Wonder-produced debut, The Idea of Beautiful). Their debut solo album Eastern Standard Time really resembles their wholesome sound and authentic style. Although this collective has the workings of a phenomenal hip hop group like the others you’ll find in this list, their smaller fan base is holding them back from unparalleled success. They have a niche and they are most certainly proud of it, but as soon as their niche expands and ecompasses a vaster, more diverse audience, then you will see Kooley High on every blog, magazine cover and hip hop head’s iPod.

– Stone

8. Flatbush Zombies

The Flatbush Zombies, a trio comprised of producer Erick Arc Elliott and rappers Meechy Darko and Zombie Juice are representing none other than Flatbush, Brooklyn in a big way. First coming on the scene last January with the dark and trippy “Thug Waffle,” they continued with a string of other hits and have gained notoriety over the past year, self-releasing their debut full length, D.R.U.G.S. to good reception. With a style that’s different and definitely a little scary, these guys are coming up and showing hip hop they’re here to stay.

– Copper Tony

7. Slaughterhouse

Slaughterhouse is the perfect example of something looking better on paper than what it sounds like on the record. Take four extremely talented lyricists exiled from their major labels to conquer the underground, and unite together to take back the mainstream. Sounds like a great story, right? Except there’s a major flaw in all of this; when Royce da 5’ 9”, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Crooked I all get together, they do not make good songs.

Sure, they can rap for days, and goddammit they remind you (on every Slaughterhouse song every recorded), but outside of a few songs, they don’t have any substance. Their 2009 self-titled debut was extremely disappointing for me, as I was in Royce’s corner heavy; and from 2007-2009, he was the hungriest rapper in the game. I liked Ortiz and Budden in spots too, and I really never listened to anything Crooked I released. Now four years later, Royce has lost a lot of that momentum (Success is Certain was solid, but nowhere near his early Bar Exam mixtapes), Ortiz is a total cornball (I want to punch an infant with brass knuckles every time I hear “that Yowa” ad-lib), Budden might be cornier than Ortiz (but I just might be mad at all these girls he’s getting), and ironically enough, Crooked I is now my favorite member of the crew.

Their Shady debut definitely didn’t do the numbers they were hoping, and if you include Yelawolf’s super-flop, we can chalk up Shady 2.0 as a fail (bring back Obie!). welcome to: Our House is nothing any of these four emcees can’t do solo. So if and when these guys get their act together and sound as good as they should and do on paper, then you may finally get that great Slaughterhouse project, accompanied with great success.

– Zach

6. Clear Soul Forces

Clear Soul Forces had a breakthrough year in 2012 and built a lot of momentum as the group to watch out of Detroit. Not only did they make great music and developed a fan base interested in their swift transitions and songwriting abilities as a group, they also rocked plenty of festival crowds and secured smart sponsorships, like Red Bull Soundstage for example. After having met the members of Clear Soul Forces down at A3C, I can attest to the fact that it was evident that they are dedicated to make it in this industry and will continue to build their vision.

Packing all four members into a car and driving with their merch and enough clothes to last a weekend is not an issue for them; neither is fostering a fanbase – both online and in person – or staying relevant in an ever changing industry. Each member of Clear Soul Forces is talented individually, but their dynamic as a group is what really holds them together and creates mass appeal. As long as they keep riding 2012’s momentum into this year, they should be able to continue to grow off an already very solid foundation.

– Guillermo

5. Doomtree

This Minneapolis rap collective formed in 2001 and has been expanding ever since. The various members of the group all paint with very different sonic palettes, but they all share a common trait of blending rap and slam poetry.

Just like any other rap collective, they are well equipped with good producers (Lazerbeak, Paper Tiger), hypemen (Sims, Mike Mictlan, P.O.S), and emotional firepower (Dessa, Cecil Otter). With every year, their sound just continues to get more mature. This fact, however, might turn out to be a double-edged sword. Has their time to shine already passed? Or has it just begun?

– BC

4. Pro Era

This (b)east coast hip-hop troupe representing Brooklyn New York and headed up by 18 year old wunderkind Joey Bada$$ is definitely a force to reckon with. These guys are consistently putting out quality music. Whether it’s Joey’s 1999 or their most recent mixtape, PEEP: The Aprocalypse, Pro Era is grabbing the reigns of the rap game and steering it in their direction. They’re thankfully moving hip hop away from the cookie-cutter, auto-tuned bullshit and bringing real skill and lyricism back into the music; reviving what many people had thought was gone forever.

– Copper Tony

3. A$AP Mob

Marketing and promoting music is obviously always done easier as a group effort, as evident by the other members on this list, but one thing A$AP Mob brings to the table that others might not is the diversity in talents within their camp. The ability to recognize each of their roles in the overall machine has brought success to the Mob in various industries, not just music.

At the age of 17, after interning under Diplomat Records for a year and a half, Yams went out and tattoed “ASAP” on his arm – at a time before he knew Rocky and the Mob, as well as the potential this brand would have. A$AP Yams, and a couple others in the Mob do not rap because of the realization that they just don’t have to. There is a bigger picture and a strong drive behind their brand and each recognizes they must play their part in this multi-faceted industry if they want to see longevity and success. A$AP Mob has become a worldwide brand thanks to their sound, their music industry finesse, their fashion sense and their hunger to see the world.

– Guillermo

2. Odd Future

Maniacal, satirical, and party animals, L.A.’s Odd Future is anything but boring. Embodying Wu-Tang’s model for a properly functioning rap collective, Odd Future’s
members have already started to get fame for their solo work.

Their attention, as of right now, is a tad bit inconsistent: underground dwellers like Syd tha Kyd inhibit the same space as superstars like Frank Ocean. With such a giant collective (supposedly sixty members), they have a lot of talent to draw upon. Great producers, comical rappers, and unadulterated bass allow them to deserve the hype that they’ve received. The only thing keeping them from exploding right now is their own explicitness, but I highly doubt that’s even on their mind.

– BC

1. Black Hippy

After stirring up some buzz in 2011 with releases like Long-Term Mentality, Follow Me Home, Setbacks, and of course section.80 the Black Hippies had an even bigger 2012. And when Top Dawg Ent inked a deal with Aftermath, it’s looking like Kendrick, Q, Ab-Soul and Jay Rock are eyeing mainstream success. Following Kendrick’s gold-selling good kid, m.A.A.d city will not be an easy task, but this crew definitely is up to the challenge.

If Kendrick is indeed the Michael Jordan of the crew, then I’m going to have to say Ab-Soul is the Scottie Pippen with his dense flow and introspective lyricism. The aggressive Schoolboy Q, who looks to bring back gangster rap to an era more worried about Gucci bags, is the Dennis Rodman. And Jay Rock, who you may remember from the XXL Freshman 2008 Class, is the Ron Harper of the crew. He has the most experience in the business, and is there to provide with assists like his show-stealing performance on “Money Trees.”

– Zach