10 Cards to Collect from SoundCloud Superstars
Welcome to a celebration like no other – a tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. In honor of this momentous anniversary, we’re looking at the two most important American creations of the late 20th century: modern trading card collecting and hip-hop. Join us all month (and beyond) as we spotlight how hip-hop and the hobby have connected to create singular and enduring cultural moments.
From the underground beats to DIY aesthetics, the SoundCloud Era was a melting pot of raw talent, unfiltered lyrics, and a fearless approach to music. It was a time when artists weren’t waiting for big labels to give them a shot – they were creating their own waves, building massive followings, and leaving their mark on the rap game with a simple upload on the streaming platform known as SoundCloud. Each rapper on this list was pivotal in shaping the SoundCloud scene into a cultural phenomenon. These cards aren’t just collectibles: they’re time capsules preserving the raw energy and passion that defined an entire hip-hop generation and set the stage for contemporary music.
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2019 Topps Allen and Ginter #176 Post Malone
Ohhh Posty. From serving plates of some of the finest chicken the Dallas/Fort Worth area has to offer at Chicken Express to uploading “White Iverson” on SoundCloud and watching his life change dramatically, Post Malone is the prime example of what SoundCloud could do for an artist — “White Iverson” did over 1,000,000 Soundcloud clicks in its first month. I remember the day “White Iverson” made its round on the app that is now called X. Everyone was wondering where he was from and how he got here, which is part of the beauty of Soundcloud. Who would’ve thought he’d become one of the game’s biggest artists? Dude has several diamond-certified singles and his own festival, Posty Fest. Austin Post is massive!
2017 Topps Wacky Packs Garbage Pail Kids The Shammys #11 Chance the Wrapper
When SoundCloud was going through its financial woes in 2017, Chance the Rapper called upon Young Thug to release a track on the platform called “Big B’s.” The favor from Chicago’s very own is simply a testament to the power of SoundCloud to help launch the careers of a new group of artists. At the time, Chance was at the top of his game, having won 2017 Grammys for Best Rap Album, Best New Artist, and Best Rap Performance. This 2017 Topps Wacky Packs Garbage Pail Kids The Shammys #11 Chance the Wrapper card sums up Chano’s incredible year, putting a hilarious spin on his accomplishments.
2022 Leaf Metal Pop Century Signatures #BA-FWI Fetty Wap Purple Crystal Auto /6
Ask Fetty Cash about SoundCloud and the Jersey native isn’t bashful about his place on its Mt. Rushmore. He wrote, “I’m really the SoundCloud goat, ‘Trap Queen’ the reason n***as started a SoundCloud.” The Gucci Mane-inspired emcee burst onto the scene after uploading “Trap Queen,” following it up with “679,” “My Way,” and “Again,” then watched his career blast off as he became the first act in the Hot Rap songs chart’s 26-year history to chart his first four entries in the top 10 simultaneously. He did this all while putting the homies from the “Remy Boys” o,n especially Monty, who appeared on two of the singles. His debut album Fetty Wap debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard Top 200, and his work spa, including two Grammy nominations, a BET Award, and an MTV VMA win. The case for Fetty Wap’s spot on SoundCloud’s Mt. Rushmore is more than legit. At one point, he used the platform to take over the world.
2021 Skybox Metal Universe Champions #49 Riff Raff
In the wild and wacky world of the SoundCloud era, a maverick like no other emerged – Riff Raff, aka Jody Highroller! The Prince of Persona wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and hit the streets, literally! He hustled his mixtapes by selling CDs out of his car trunk at malls in the Houston area, building his army of loyal fans from the ground up, and found success. His hustle, flamboyance, and taste for attracting clout led him to MTV’s “From G’s to Gents,” a comical, late 2000s charm school-styled show. From there, Mr. Highroller took off, seeing his star shine and becoming a mainstay on social media during the Soundcloud era thanks to hits like “Tip Toe Wing in my Jawwdinz” and “Dolce and Gabbana” and his outlandish quotable.
2023 Pink Tape Lil Uzi Vert Trading Card
The physical version of Lil Uzi Vert’s newest project Pink Tape came with a special Pokemon-inspired Lil Uzi card. Just a little sauce from our boy “Leslie,” a hip-hop titan who’s masterfully crafted the aesthetic of an anime character. Uzi’s face stands by itself if I’m putting out a SoundCloud Mt. Rushmore. His overall punk/rap Lil Wayne-inspired sound perfectly captures what SoundCloud has represented for many and helped propel the artistic image he crafted for himself.
2023 Leaf Metal Pop Century Preview Lil Yachty
In December 2015, the SoundCloud version of Lil Yachty’s song “One Night” hit the Internet via a viral comedy sketch. By 2016, the college dropout was modeling for Kanye West’s Yeezy Season 3 fashion line and dropping his debut tape Lil Boat. The rest is history, as he’s since earned Grammy Nomination and used his self-proclaimed “Bubblegum Trap” sound to land several Billboard-charting hits and secure a host of brand endorsements and placements. One of his newest songs, “Strike (Holster),” is an absolute banger in the clubs. Gotta hop on a couch and celebrate every time it blares through the speakers.
2019 Lyrical Lemonade ComplexCon Juice Wrld
This Juice Wrld x Lyrical Lemonade released at the 2019 ComplexCon is a slapper and one of my favorites on the list. Before his untimely passing in 2019, Juice was taking over the rap game, dropping bangers like “Lucid Dreams” on SoundCloud and serving as a voice for a generation of kids struggling with anxiety and depression and not afraid to talk on the subject. A lot of fans will go as far as saying Juice Wrld saved their lives. His impact in such a short time was that great.
2019 Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash Playboi Carti
Carti’s firmly planted next to Lil Uzi on SoundCloud’s Mt. Rushmore. They were once best friends. Though the relationship soured, they both deserve the lion’s share of credit for contributing to the platform’s growth. Under the name Sir Cartier, the Atlanta native began uploading tracks onto SoundCloud in 2011. He changed his name to Playboi Carti in 2013 and has since accumulated a cult following that few rappers and artists, for that matter, rival. After linking up with A$AP Mob in 2015, Carti’s since exited orbit, as he’s since put out several hits like “Wokeuplikethis” featuring Uzi and “Magnolia” – featured on his chart-topping album Die Lit. Though he’s slowed down on the musical side, with just one album – Whole Lotta Red – since his debut, the artist, also known as “King Vamp,” is the blueprint for several of today’s biggest stars.
2018 Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash Cordae
Before taking a hiatus from hip hop, Cordae was rapping with a now-defunct YBN collective that featured YBN Almighty Jay and YBN Nahmir. And rapping he was. The 2018 XXL Freshman burst onto the scene by flipping Eminem’s classic “My Name Is,” sent social media into a frenzy when he responded to J. Cole’s “1985” with the song “Old N*ggas” and even earned a pair of Grammy nominations for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song, The Lost Boy and “Bad Idea,” respectively. When he decides to drop tracks, he tantalizes fans with witty bars and lyrical wordplay akin to legends like Q-Tip.
2019 Lyrical Lemonade ComplexCon Blueface
Blueface’s music may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but that’s beside the point. The California-based rapper’s eccentric style and off-beat flow have made him stand out, and he’s proven himself to be a marketing genius. After leaving Fayetteville State and returning home to Cali, the former HBCU quarterback uploaded a song called “Dead Locs” on SoundCloud. From there, his music spread like wildfire, and he even started performing outside various high schools, testing out his songs for the kids who loved them. With the release of his debut project Famous Cryp, Blueface hit the charts with the Cardi B collaboration “Thotiana” staying in the spotlight ever since. While he may be more known for drama than his music, he’s continued to find success with tracks like “Stop Cappin” and “Bleed It.” What a run of Lyrical Lemonade cards.
