LegitLists: 10 Popular Hip-Hop Rappers Who Changed Their Rap Names.

Amidst several others, a vital factor that can determine a rappers success and widespread acceptance is his/her professional/stage name.

Therefore before choosing a stage name the rapper puts into consideration the meaning of the name, it’s simplicity, it’s delivery, versatility and how it fits his/her stage presence.

A rappers name also gives an individual a detailed perception of his/her music even before listening to it.

In years past, several hip-hop artistes have undergone name changes, which in most cases have brought them positive gains and more attention from the public, than their previous name.

Here is a list of 10 Popular Hip-Hop Rappers Who Changed Their Rap Names.

EMINEM (formerly MC DOUBLE M & Slim Shady)

Born Marshall Bruce Mathers II, Eminem went by the stage name MC DOUBLE M in 1988. However in 1997 Eminem attracted more attention when he developed Slim Shady his alter ego. He later released his debut EP, the Slim Shady EP that year but under the name Eminem.

LOGIC (formerly Psychological).

In 2009 Sir Robert Bryson Hall II started rapping with the stage name Psychological. Later on he shortened it to Logic after he released his first mixtape Psychological-Logic: The Mixtape. The rapper explains that he really loved the name Psychological and got stucked with it, because it had something too do with the mind. Logic is also known as Young Sinatra and Bobby Tarantino titles of his mixtapes.

MIGOS – (formerly Polo Club).

American Hip-Hop rappers, Migos were formerly referred to as Polo Club when the group was formed in 2008, by Quavo, Takeoff and Offset. The three rappers are directly related and were raised together by Quavo’s mother. This is how the family tree goes; Quavo is Takeoff’s uncle while Offset is Quavo’s cousin.

J.COLE – (formerly Therapist).

In an interview with MTV in 2011, American rapper Jermaine Lamarr Cole revealed that he started off his career at age 17 with the rap name Therapist. Here is a brief yet interesting story of how he got his stage name;

“There was a local group named Bomb Shelter that had been mentoring me since I was 14 years old. One [group member] was Nervous Reck and the other was Filthy Ritch. I was like man, ‘Those are the most creative rap names I ever heard. I need a rap name like that!’. Cole said in his 2011 interview with MTV.

We used to look through the dictionary for rap names, I could never find nothing. One day these dudes [Bomb Shelter] were like, ‘Yo, we got a name for you, it’s Therapist,’ “ Cole added.

While J. Cole wasn’t entirely feeling the name, he decided to test it out with the help of his mentors. So Cole rocked with the moniker Therapist for a while, figuring his mentors knew better than he did about these matters.

A few years later, he realized Therapist sounded like a wrestler’s name. So he ditched Therapist and adopted J. Cole. “J. Cole felt like my real name” he explained.

JUICEWRLD (formerly JuiceTheKidd).

Late American rapper, Jarad Anthony Higgins began to develop as an artist in his first year of high school. His first track, “Forever”, was released on SoundCloud in 2015 under the name JuicetheKidd before he later changed it to JuiceWRLD.

FUTURE (formerly MeatHead).

Before American rapper, Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn was known as Future, Pluto or Hendrix, his first rap name was Meathead. Members of his first group, The Dungeon Family originally called Future “Meathead The Phuture.” He later changed it to “The Future” and then finally settled with “Future.”

PLAYBOI CARTI – (formerly Sir Cartier).

American rapper, Jordan Terrell Carter began rapping at an early age under the name Sir Cartier in 2011 and soon after changed it to Playboi Carti in 2013.

DABABY (formerly Baby Jesus).

‘Rockstar‘ rapper Jonathan Kirk was formerly known as Baby Jesus before changing to DaBaby. In an interview the rapper explains that the name was too politically, and he felt it could become a distraction.

TRIPPIE REDD – (formerly Trippie Hippie)

Born Michael Lamar White II, American rapper Trippie Redd is one the new generation SoundCloud rappers. He started off his career with stage name Trippie Hippie which he later changed to Trippie Redd because it was a name that was owned by his former group.

KENDRICK LAMAR (formerly K-Dot).

American rapper, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth formerly went by the name K-Dot, but reverted back to his birth name Kendrick Lamar for the sake of artistic intimacy.