Underground Revival: How 2010s Atlanta Rap is Making a Powerful Comeback

slatt9436
Feb 12
5 min read

Updated: Apr 30

Written by: Austin Harland - @austinnhh March 28, 2025

2010s Atlanta Trap Never Left—But the Underground is Making Sure It Stays Forever

The 2010s marked a golden era for Atlanta rap, a period when artists like Young Thug, Gucci Mane, Future, 2 Chainz, and Migos transformed hip-hop with melodic trap flows, unpredictable cadences, and hard-hitting beats. While mainstream rap has since evolved—leaning into rage beats, hyperpop, and more experimental sounds—the underground is keeping the raw energy of 2010s Atlanta trap alive, giving it a fresh yet familiar resurgence.

A new wave of artists, including Nine Vicious, Tana, Ronsach, and Ian, are leading this revival by interpolating, sampling, and collaborating with figures from that era. Some are continuing Young Thug and YSL’s legacy, while others are reintroducing Gucci Mane’s mixtape-style production into today’s underground scene. Whether it’s through sound, fashion, or mixtape culture, it’s clear that the 2010s Atlanta trap blueprint is making a full-scale return.

The Young Thug Blueprint: How Nine Vicious, Tana, and Ronsach Are Carrying the Torch

Few artists have had a more profound impact on modern rap than Young Thug. His approach to music was as unpredictable as his fashion—a balance of high-energy deliveries, slurred melodic runs, and an aesthetic that blurred the lines of masculinity and traditional streetwear. Today, Nine Vicious, Tana, and Ronsach are continuing that legacy, incorporating Thug’s sound, fashion, and vocal techniques into their own artistry. Since his return from jail, Thug has been quietly tapping into the underground scene, adding cosigns along the way. In the last 6 months, he has signed up-and-coming rappers 1300SAINT, and most recently the budding superstar Nine Vicious to his Young Stoner Life (YSL) label.

Nine Vicious: Thug’s Rebellious Energy in the Underground

Nine Vicious is arguably the most direct heir to Young Thug’s chaotic, high-energy style. His music pulls heavily from Thug’s Slime Season era, but he also honors Thug’s emotional side, as seen in his tribute track "RIP Keed." His track “You Said” is a direct sample of Young Thug & Quavo’s song of the same name, showcasing his commitment to preserving Thug’s melodic influence. Tracks like “F&N” and “U Fancy” highlight his unpredictable, distorted vocals and aggressive yet bouncy flow switches, much like Thug’s early mixtape days. Beyond the music, Nine Vicious also keeps Thug’s vocal ad-libs alive, frequently using “What?” and “Yea Jack”—signature sounds originally popularized by Young Thug and Lil Keed. His fashion sense further mirrors Thug’s 2015 era, as he rocks Hysteric Glamour designer tees, stacked jewelry, and tight-fitting silhouettes, a style that made Thug stand out during his Barter 6 era. To make his connection to Thug even clearer, Nine Vicious cover for his "Homage" EP directly pays homage to Barter 6, featuring a similar shirtless, minimalist portrait with dramatic lighting, reinforcing that he isn’t just influenced by Thug—he’s carrying his energy forward into the underground.

Tana: The Hitmaker Bridging Thug’s Sound with Mainstream Appeal

Tana (formerly known as BabySantana) blends melodic trap with mainstream appeal, much like Thug’s evolution from cult favorite to household name. His track “18” directly interpolates Quavo’s verse from 2 Chainz’s “Good Drank,” proving that he’s pulling inspiration from Atlanta’s mid-2010s trap scene and bringing it into 2025. His song “Decatur” is produced by Zaytoven, one of Young Thug’s early go-to producers, tying his music even closer to Thug’s roots. Furthermore, he shot the music video for the song in an Atlanta neighborhood with Young Thug's famous director, Be El Be. Meanwhile, “Living Lavish” showcases his ability to switch between soft, melodic tones and rapid-fire delivery, echoing Thug’s Jeffery and Slime Language 2 days. Tana’s fashion sense and visuals also embody Thug’s genre-blending aesthetic. His angel wings and electric guitar imagery in his latest promo reflect Thug’s rockstar approach, much like what we saw in Thug’s Beautiful Thugger Girls era.

Ronsach: The Barter 6-Era Melodic Risk-Taker

While Nine Vicious embodies Thug’s raw energy, Ronsach aligns more closely with Barter 6-era Young Thug. His music leans heavily into melodic trap with introspective themes, much like Thug’s 2015 breakthrough project. Songs like “Beast Boy” use spaced-out, atmospheric beats, similar to Barter 6's "OD" or "Dream." Meanwhile, “Hot Hot Hot” features unexpected vocal switches and wavy but structured flows, mirroring Thug’s "Check" or "With That". Fashion-wise, Ronsach pulls from Thug’s streetwear era, wearing stacked beanies, oversized denim, and layered chains, reminiscent of Thug’s bold yet effortless style in 2015-2016. His look, much like his music, feels like an evolution of Thug’s most influential period.

Ian: Reviving Gucci Mane’s Mixtape Era

Ian’s rise in the underground is directly linked to Gucci Mane’s influence, with his debut album Valedictorian featuring classic Gucci-style production and collaborations with DJ Holiday, a key figure in the 2010s Atlanta mixtape scene. By using Zaytoven-inspired beats and DJ Holiday's co-sign, Ian is actively reviving the raw, street-oriented sound that made 2010s Atlanta trap legendary. One standout moment on Ian's last album is the track “Sh*t Sad”, featuring Chief Keef. This collaboration brings together the influences of two 2010s rap legends, blending Keef's iconic delivery with Ian's fresh underground approach. What’s especially striking about Ian is how he juxtaposes his street sound with a preppy, clean-cut appearance. While his music is deeply rooted in Gucci Mane-style beats and trap energy, Ian’s personal style—with his polos, khakis, and often "fresh-out-the-country-club" vibe—is a sharp contrast. This preppy white kid look creates an interesting dynamic that shows how the underground is still subverting expectations. Ian’s aesthetic and music prove that authenticity in rap doesn’t require conforming to one mold—he’s blending influences from both trap’s gritty past and the preppy, polished side of rap's future. This contrast makes Ian's music stand out even more, as he brings a modern twist to classic 2010s sounds while looking like the exact opposite of what you’d expect from someone making such hard-hitting music.

In conclusion, the 2010s Atlanta rap scene is far from over—it’s experiencing a powerful resurgence, especially in the underground. Artists like Nine Vicious, Tana, Ronsach, and Ian are proving that the legacy of Young Thug, Gucci Mane, and the entire YSL movement lives on through their innovative sounds and distinct fashion styles. Whether it’s Nine Vicious channeling Thug’s chaotic energy, Tana resurrecting the Migos’ influence, or Ian blending Gucci-inspired trap with a preppy aesthetic, these artists are actively shaping the next phase of rap while paying homage to the pioneers who made it all possible. As the underground continues to thrive, it’s clear that the raw energy, bold experimentation, and genre-defying spirit of 2010s Atlanta rap will remain an enduring force in hip-hop for years to come. The future of rap is still deeply rooted in Atlanta’s trap legacy, and with these new-wave artists leading the charge, the next Atlanta renaissance is just getting started.

Credits

Writer: Austin Harland

Editor: Austin Harland

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