Stage names are the norm in the rap world, but behind the spotlight, every artist has a name they were born with. Some are unexpected, others surprisingly plain, and a few are just downright funny.
This blog uncovers the real names of rappers behind some of the biggest names in hip-hop. From legends to new-age stars, we’re revealing the real identities behind the personas.
So, whether you’re into popular rapper names or just curious about the real rappers behind the mic, you’re in for a fun ride.
Most Popular Rappers & Their Real Names
In the world of hip-hop, stage names often carry deep personal, cultural, or humorous significance. Here’s a look at some of the most iconic rapper names, their real identities, and the stories behind their monikers:
| Rapper Name | Real Name | Significance Of The Name |
|---|---|---|
| Jay-Z | Shawn Corey Carter | Derived from his childhood nickname “Jazzy,” a nod to his mentor Jaz-O, and the J/Z subway lines in Brooklyn. |
| Eminem | Marshall Bruce Mathers III | Originating from his initials “M&M,” which he later stylized as Eminem. |
| Drake | Aubrey Drake Graham | Uses his middle name, “Drake,” as his stage name. |
| Snoop Dogg | Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. | Nicknamed “Snoopy” by his mother due to his love for the Peanuts character, evolved into Snoop Dogg. |
| Cardi B | Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar | Inspired by her sister’s name, Hennessy; “Bacardi” became “Cardi B.” |
| Travis Scott | Jacques Bermon Webster II | Combining his uncle’s name, Travis, and his idol Kid Cudi’s real name, Scott Mescudi. |
| Post Malone | Austin Richard Post | Generated “Post Malone” using a rap name generator during his teenage years. |
| Lil Wayne | Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. | “Lil Wayne” is a shortened version of his real name, Dwayne. |
| Notorious B.I.G. | Christopher George Latore Wallace | Initially went by “Biggie Smalls,” inspired by a movie character; changed to Notorious B.I.G. due to legal issues. |
| Childish Gambino | Donald McKinley Glover | Adopted the name from a Wu-Tang Clan name generator as a joke. |
Let us explore the real names of well-known rappers and gain a deeper understanding of the individuals behind their stage identities.
1. Jay-Z (Shawn Corey Carter)
Jay-Z’s real name is Shawn Corey Carter. Born on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York, he grew up in the Marcy Projects. Jay-Z is a legendary rapper, entrepreneur, and music mogul, widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time.
Jay-Z chose his rap name as a homage to his mentor Jaz-O, who helped him early in his career, and also as a nod to the J/Z subway lines that run through his Brooklyn neighborhood.
Listen To Him Here: Jay-Z on Spotify
2. Eminem (Marshall Bruce Mathers III)
Eminem’s real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III. Born on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri, he was raised in Detroit, Michigan. Known for his rapid-fire delivery and controversial lyrics, Eminem is one of the best-selling artists in the world and a major influence in hip-hop.
Eminem derived his rap name from his initials “M&M” (Marshall Mathers), which he stylized into “Eminem” as his persona evolved.
Bonus: Eminem may be touring soon. Find all the details here.
Listen To Him Here: Eminem on Spotify
Also, learn all the details of Eminem’s last tour with our guide.
3. Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham)
Drake’s real name is Aubrey Drake Graham. Born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Canada, he initially gained fame as an actor on the TV show Degrassi: The Next Generation before transitioning to a successful music career. Drake is known for blending rap and R&B in his chart-topping hits.
Drake chose to go by his middle name, which he felt was distinctive and authentic, helping him stand out in both the acting and music industries. As we talk about him, you can read about the upcoming Drake tour 2025 with our article.
Listen to Him Here with our best Drake songs playlist and list.
4. Snoop Dogg (Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.)
Snoop Dogg’s real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. He was born on October 20, 1971, in Long Beach, California. Rising to fame in the early 1990s as a prominent figure in West Coast hip-hop, Snoop Dogg became an iconic rapper, producer, and entrepreneur.
Snoop Dogg got his nickname from his mother, who thought he looked like Snoopy from the Peanuts cartoon—he later embraced it as his rap name.
Listen To Him Here: Snoop Dogg on Spotify
5. Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar)
Cardi B’s real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar. Born on October 11, 1992, in The Bronx, New York, she gained fame through social media before transitioning to music. Known for her bold personality and unique rap style, Cardi B became a chart-topping artist and cultural icon.
Cardi B’s rap name was inspired by her nickname “Bacardi,” a nod to the rum brand, which her friends used to call her—she later shortened and stylized it to “Cardi B.”
Listen To Her Here: Cardi B on Spotify
6. Travis Scott (Jacques Bermon Webster II)
Travis Scott’s real name is Jacques Webster II. He was born on April 30, 1992, in Houston, Texas. Known for his distinctive blend of hip-hop, trap, and psychedelic music, Travis Scott has become a global superstar, celebrated for his high-energy performances and his collaborations with major brands and artists.
Travis Scott adopted his stage name by combining his favorite uncle’s name, Travis, with the last name of his idol, Kid Cudi (Scott Mescudi), creating a unique and memorable identity.
Listen To Him Here: Travis Scott on Spotify
Travis is also announced as a part of the Coachella 2025 lineup. Find other artists performing with our guide.
7. Post Malone (Austin Richard Post)
Post Malone’s real name is Austin Richard Post. Born on July 4, 1995, in Syracuse, New York, he gained popularity with his breakthrough hit “White Iverson” in 2015. Known for his genre-blending style, Post Malone mixes hip-hop, rock, and pop, becoming one of the most successful artists of his generation.
Post Malone’s stage name came from a combination of his last name, “Post,” and a tribute to basketball legend, Paul “Malone” from the NBA, which he chose after hearing the name in an online generator.
Listen To Him Here: Post Malone on Spotify
8. Lil Wayne (Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.)
Lil Wayne’s real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. He was born on September 27, 1982, in New Orleans, Louisiana. A pioneering figure in Southern hip-hop, Lil Wayne rose to fame with his unique rap style and became known for his prolific output, including the iconic Tha Carter series.
Lil Wayne adopted his stage name as a shortened version of “Little Wayne,” a nickname given to him by his older friends due to his small stature when he began rapping at a young age.
Listen To Him Here: Lil Wayne on Spotify
9. The Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher George Latore Wallace)
The Notorious B.I.G.’s real name was Christopher George Latore Wallace. Born on May 21, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York, he became one of the most influential figures in hip-hop. Known for his storytelling ability and smooth flow, Biggie’s albums, like Ready to Die, left an enduring legacy in the genre.
The Notorious B.I.G.’s rap name was inspired by his larger-than-life presence and his reputation in the streets, with “Notorious” reflecting his infamy and “B.I.G.” symbolizing both his physical size and his growing influence in the music world.
Listen To Him Here: The Notorious B.I.G. on Spotify
10. Childish Gambino (Donald McKinley Glover Jr.)
Childish Gambino’s real name is Donald McKinley Glover. Born on September 25, 1983, in Edwards Air Force Base, California, Glover is a multi-talented artist, excelling as a comedian, actor, writer, and musician. As a Child, Gambino gained fame with his unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, and soul.
Childish Gambino’s name was generated randomly from a Wu-Tang Clan name generator, blending an element of humor with a distinctive, memorable identity that matched his eclectic artistic style.
Listen To Him Here: Childish Gambino on Spotify
We’ve also rounded up our list of top rappers in the world that you can check out.
Rappers with the Most Surprising Real Names
Some rap artists names hide birth names so unexpectedly, they’ll make you pause and say, “Wait, really?” Here are a few that definitely stand out:
- Ol’ Dirty Bastard – Russell Tyrone Jones
Not what you’d expect from someone with one of the wildest stage names in hip-hop.
- Playboi Carti – Jordan Terrell Carter
Sounds more like a motivational speaker than a rapper known for mosh-pit anthems.
- Ice-T – Tracy Lauren Marrow
Yes, the pioneer of gangsta rap is actually named Tracy Lauren.
- Tyga – Micheal Ray Stevenson
The spelling of “Micheal” is almost as surprising as the name itself.
- Ludacris – Christopher Brian Bridges
He went from classic “Chris” to fully “Luda” with just a mic and a vision.
- Wiz Khalifa – Cameron Jibril Thomaz
His name has a smooth, melodic flow, just like his tracks.
- Future – Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn
Easily the most sci-fi-sounding real name on this list.
- Megan Thee Stallion – Megan Jovon Ruth Pete
You wouldn’t guess that one of rap’s fiercest names was hiding a full Southern classic.
- French Montana – Karim Kharbouch
Born in Morocco, his name carries global flair, just like his music.
Why Rappers Use Stage Names?
Let’s be real, rapper real names don’t always scream “hip-hop legend.” So, why do so many artists switch it up with a catchy alias?
Here’s the deal:
- To Create a Persona: A rap artist’s name is more than a label; it’s a brand. Stage names let rappers build a character or identity that stands out. Think Childish Gambino vs. Donald Glover—same guy, totally different vibes.
- To Stay Memorable: Let’s face it, “Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn” doesn’t roll off the tongue like Future. Catchy rapper names stick in your head and on playlists.
- Privacy & Separation: Some artists prefer to keep their real lives and stage personas separate. A stage name offers a little mystery and a lot of privacy.
- To Honor Influences or Culture: Names like Travis Scott (inspired by his uncle and Kid Cudi) or Jay-Z (a nod to mentor Jaz-O) reflect their roots and musical heroes.
- Marketing Power: Let’s be honest, some rappers’ real names don’t sound like chart-toppers. A strong stage name can boost recognition, merch sales, and even streaming numbers.
So while popular rapper names might sound cool, they usually carry meaning, strategy, or just a little fun behind them. After all, you don’t become a rap icon without first picking a name that slaps.
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Conclusion: Rappers’ Real Names Often Surprise
From Eminem to Snoop Dogg, the rap industry is rich with memorable stage names. Rappers select these names for numerous reasons, such as crafting a distinctive persona, paying tribute to their influences, or aiming for a catchy, marketable identity.
As we’ve observed, the real names of these iconic rappers can be unexpectedly mundane, amusing, or even bizarre. Ultimately, the persona is just as significant as the talent, with these names greatly influencing the artist’s brand.
FAQs
Rappers use stage names to create a memorable persona, separate their personal lives from their public image, and often to honor cultural influences or heroes in the music industry.
While most rappers use stage names, some like J. Cole and Drake prefer to use their real names for authenticity and to keep a personal connection with their audience.
One of the most famous rappers’ real names is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, known professionally as Eminem, whose real name is just as iconic as his stage persona.
Rappers often choose their stage names based on influences, family, personal traits, or even a random name generator to create something catchy and memorable for their audience.
A rapper can change their stage name, though it’s rare. When they do, it’s usually to reinvent their image or to mark a significant change in their career direction.
