Many rappers have some of the best and most inventive stage names. Many early rappers go by the nicknames they got on the streets. Some derived their stage names from the initials of their names, and others are linked to personal experiences. Discover the real identities of some of your favourite rappers.
Most rappers often adopt stage names while embarking on their musical journey. While their professional names are often unconventional, you will be surprised to know that many of their birth names are nowhere close to the eccentricity of their stage names. Many hip-hop fans are curious about the rapper’s real names.
In recent years, rappers have successfully used their stage names to create iconic personas that transcend their real identities, contributing to the allure and impact of their musical careers. Discover the true identities of some of the biggest names in rap below.
Rappers’ Real Names
Lil Wayne
- Real name: Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.
- Date of birth: 27 September 1982
- Place of birth: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. is a Grammy-winning rapper and one of the most influential hip-hop artists of his generation. He gained fame in the early 2000s with the release of his albums, notably the Tha Carter series. His most popular and successful songs include Lollipop, A Milli, 6 Foot 7 Foot, and How to Love.
Cardi B
- Real name: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar Cephus
- Date of birth: 11 October 1992
- Place of birth: Washington Heights, New York, United States
Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar Cephus, popularly known by her stage name Cardi B, is an American rapper. She is regarded as one of the most commercially successful female rappers of her generation. She first gained public recognition through Instagram. She was initially named Barcardi, which she later changed to Cardi B when she started her music career.
Snoop Dogg
- Real name: Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.
- Date of birth: 20 October 1971
- Place of birth: Long Beach, California, United States
Snoop Dogg, real name Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., rose to fame in the early 1990s and is considered one of the pioneers of West Coast hip-hop. Over the decades, Snoop has produced numerous hit singles and albums, spanning diverse genres beyond rap, including reggae and gospel.
Nicki Minaj
- Real name: Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty
- Date of birth: 8 December 1982
- Place of birth: Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Nicki Minaj is another popular female rapper's name in the music industry. She is a Trinidadian-American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Her real name is Onika Tanya Maraj. Known for her versatile rap style, Nicki Minaj has been a dominant figure in the music industry, breaking barriers and achieving numerous records.
Post Malone
- Real name: Austin Richard Post
- Date of birth: 4 July 1995
- Place of birth: Syracuse, New York, United States
Post Malone, born Austin Richard Post, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is best known for blending genres such as hip-hop, pop, R&B, and trap. His stage name was derived from inputting his birth name into a rap name generator.
50 Cent
- Real name: Curtis James Jackson III
- Date of birth: 6 July 1975
- Place of birth: South Jamaica, New York, United States
Most old-school rappers' real names were challenging to unearth in the past. 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, is an American rapper, actor, producer, and entrepreneur. He rose to fame in the early 2000s with the release of his debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’.
Lil Baby
- Real name: Dominique Armani Jones
- Date of birth: 3 December 1994
- Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Lil Baby gained widespread recognition after releasing his mixtape Harder than Hard in 2017. His debut album, 2018's Harder Than Ever, was certified Platinum and reached #3 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Jay-Z
- Real name: Shawn Corey Carter
- Date of birth: 4 December 1969
- Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Corey, is a highly successful rapper, entrepreneur, and record executive. The New York rapper is considered among the most influential hip-hop artists ever. He is the co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records and has released several iconic albums.
Drake
- Real name: Aubrey Drake Graham
- Date of birth: 24 October 1986
- Place of birth: Toronto, Canada
Aubrey Drake Graham has been credited with popularising singing and R&B sensibilities in hip-hop artists. His debut studio album, Thank Me Later, was released in 2010 and was a commercial success. He has since continued to dominate the music charts with subsequent hit albums.
Rick Ross
- Real name: William Leonard Roberts II
- Date of birth: 28 January 1976
- Place of birth: Clarksdale, Mississippi, United States
Rick Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, gained prominence in 2006 with his debut album Port of Miami. He is known for his hit albums and his stage name, which was inspired by drug dealer Freeway Rick Ross.
21 Savage
- Real name: Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph
- Date of birth: 22 October 1992
- Place of birth: Newham University Hospital, London, United Kingdom
21 Savage, whose real name is Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, was born in London and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He gained prominence in the music industry with his mixtapes and the release of his debut studio album, Issa Album, in 2017.
Future
- Real name: Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn
- Date of birth: 20 November 1983
- Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Future, born Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn, is an acclaimed American rapper and singer known for his distinctive style and prolific output in the hip-hop and trap genres. He is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of his generation.
Ice Spice
- Real name: Isis Naija Gaston
- Date of birth: 1 January 2000
- Place of birth: The Bronx, New York, USA
Ice Spice's real name is Isis Naija Gaston. She began her professional music career in 2021 and gained attention for her viral song
