Buffalo hip hop is a gritty, underground subgenre characterized by its dark, jazzy soundscapes, often featuring dusty, sample-based production and boom bap drum patterns. Emerging in the 2010s, this style is deeply rooted in the city's rugged, post-industrial landscape and the cultural heritage of its African American community. Drawing from East Coast hip hop and jazz traditions, Buffalo hip hop is marked by its raw, lyrical intensity and unflinching portrayals of urban life. Artists from this scene often blend vivid storytelling with complex rhyme schemes, showcasing a unique blend of street sensibility and lyrical dexterity. With its DIY ethos and grass-roots popularity, Buffalo hip hop has carved out a distinct niche within the broader hip hop landscape, offering a refreshing alternative to mainstream rap and cementing its reputation as a hotbed of innovative, uncompromising artistry.

The Hurt Syndicate

Smoke DZA•

Westside Gunn

Single - Released November 7, 2024