Last year, we introduced our first Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking, announcing Joe Budden as the reigning champion. The response to the rankings was swift and passionate, with discussions buzzing both on and off the list. However, life continued on and the hip-hop media world kept evolving.
Then, in late March, the hip-hop world was set ablaze with the unexpected release of a fiery Kendrick Lamar verse on the track “Like That” by Future and Metro Boomin. This ignited a full-blown feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, dominating our social media feeds and sparking a battle that shows no signs of slowing down. This ongoing beef has become a goldmine for hip-hop media outlets, with some outlets reaping the rewards of diving headfirst into the drama, while others have lost ground by staying out of the fray.
The 2024 Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking reflects the aftermath of this explosive feud, with seven newcomers joining the list who were not ranked last year, and a new name claiming the coveted No. 1 spot. As with the previous ranking, each media personality was evaluated based on their impact in the hip-hop media landscape since the release of our inaugural list in 2023. Complex employees and hosts were not considered for inclusion in the rankings, setting the stage for lively debates to come.