Inglewood has always had a sound. Long before SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome rose along Century and Prairie, the Forum was hosting rap's biggest nights, and the blocks around it were raising MCs. These five artists were born or raised in the City of Champions and carried its name into their music. Here's who reps Inglewood best.
1. Mack 10
Born Dedrick Rolison in Inglewood on August 9, 1971, and attended Inglewood High School.
Signature work: "Foe Life" (1995) · Westside Connection, Bow Down (1996)
2. D Smoke
Raised in Inglewood, attended Inglewood High School and later taught Spanish and music theory there before winning Netflix's Rhythm + Flow in 2019.
Signature work: Inglewood High EP (2019) · Black Habits (2020)
3. Big Syke
Born and raised in Inglewood (November 22, 1968) and buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery after his death in 2016.
Signature work: "Picture Me Rollin'" and "All Eyez on Me" with 2Pac (1996) · Be Yo' Self (1996)
4. Casey Veggies
Born and raised in Inglewood; he has called the city the "best of both worlds" and gave Hypebeast a native's tour of it in 2015.
Signature work: "Tied Up" feat. DeJ Loaf (2015, RIAA gold) · Live & Grow (2015)
5. Skeme
Born Lonnie Kimble in Inglewood on January 3, 1990, and named his signature album series Ingleworld after the city.
Signature work: Ingleworld (2013) · Alive & Living (2012)
Honorable mention: SiR
D Smoke's younger brother, born and raised in Inglewood and signed to TDE; primarily an R&B/soul artist (Chasing Summer, Heavy), so listed as an honorable mention rather than a hip hop entry.
Also considered
- Kam — Sources describe him as from Watts/Compton/L.A. broadly; Inglewood tie is not primary.
- Ab-Soul — Carson.
- Bad Azz — Long Beach.
- Problem / Buddy — Compton.
- Vince Staples — Long Beach.
- Omarion — Inglewood-born but R&B, excluded from a hip hop list.
- Skee-Lo — No verified Inglewood connection.