Top 10 Artists We'd Like To See In A New Def Jam Game

Def Jam Recordings seems to have finally caught on that people are eternally pumped for a new entry in the Def Jam series. Specifically, the Twitter post correctly identifies Def Jam Vendetta, as well as the Fight for NY sequel, as the games people have had fond memories of for a decade. These two releases were a lot more connected to brawlers or wrestling games, but featuring a cast of people in and around the hip hop scene of the time.

Since then, the world of hip hop has transcended into a fusion of every other possible genre. SoundCloud has birthed artists that meld with emo, trap has given a more beat-focused vision, while even others are getting increasingly more experimental with samples, bordering on glitch pop. A new game in the series could make wonderful use of the wild variation in styles, to form factions in the game, providing a different ambience for characters. As such, we thought we'd try to assemble a small cast of contemporary artists who should be included in a new Def Jam game. 

 

Give us your recommendations in the comments!
 

Lil Peep

Unfortunately, one of the pitfalls in SoundCloud rappers lifestyle is substance abuse. As such, several iconic figures have since passed, including the young Lil Peep. Their emo- influenced music has inspired a generation of people who previously may not have connected to hip hop. Their inclusion would not only be a posthumous nod to their work, but also be a less problematic example. For instance, XXXtentacion has had a similar influence, before their murder at a young age, but the artist was also involved in a lot of terrible incidents, such as homophobic attacks. Hip hop, as well as emo, have their fair share of questionable attitudes, but it wouldn't hurt to not include a few more aggravating artists.
 

6ix9ine

Going in the complete opposite direction here, so hear us out, 6ix9ine is one of the most awful people in current hip hop. The list of asinine things this loud-mouthed artist has done seemingly doesn't end. They're a terrible person, who happens to make very marketable music. That said, a Def Jam game needs an antagonist; someone at the top who you can't wait to tear apart. What better example than breaking the face of 6ix9ine, after they've done nothing but their patented style of gloating and baiting the entire game. Is there anyone in hip hop you'd like to punch more than them? It's either that or have Lil Xan be the equivalent of Eric Sparrow, the antagonist of Tony Hawk's Underground. This one packs a little more punch than a dude who went to the hospital for eating too many hot Cheetos.
 

Rico Nasty

Paving the way for women to break roles in hip hop, Rico Nasty's violent, screaming style of femininity lends itself perfectly to a Def Jam game. Stomping around, taunting opponents is exactly what the atmosphere is like in these games and Rico has that attitude down to a point. Their hit song "Smack a Bitch" speaks for itself, when it comes to the raw aggression the artist can conjure. Their multifaceted personality also lends itself well to good character design, as Rico has more melodic projects, as well as a trolling side, heard in the crossover "Tia Tamera" with Doja Cat, for instance. Punk isn't dead and it's thriving in Rico Nasty's entire being.
 

Snak the Ripper

The world of Def Jam games are inhabited with varying degrees of fame and infamy. Put in other words, the brawler needs a few scumbags in there; people who are there to do the dirt. Snak the Ripper made a name for themselves for taking on another rapper in their native Canada. Their diss track "Child Abuse" stands as one of the most nuclear attacks on another artist, even prompting the response track to reference that Snak went too far. In terms of diss tracks, it stands next to Ice Cube's "No Vaseline." Snak the Ripper has shown the world that they know exactly who they are and that they are not to be messed with, or else.
 

DaBaby

Bad boys sell and in recent years there have been fewer apt examples of that than DaBaby. In their short career, the artist has already racked up a sizable page of legal issues and controversies on their Wikipedia page. This includes being involved in a shooting, as well as their entourage strong-arming a promoter over pay. The incidents don't even include an altercation from last year, where DaBaby catalogued beating up a local rapper at a Louis Vuitton store on their social media. DaBaby is pretty much already playing Def Jam games in real life, so what more fitting artist than them to add to the roster
 

Freddie Gibbs

Fresh off ruining the career of professional snitch DJ Akademiks, Freddie Gibbs deserves an inclusion as a clowning character, who still knows how to throw elbows, if necessary. While their provocative, silly nature might imply that they're soft, their recent encounter with a social media giant was deftly resolved in Gibbs' favor, without even giving too much attention to it. Freddie is multitalented, not ashamed to appear more sensitive and yet cool under pressure. What better member to have in your camp than someone who can do it all, with the years of experience the artist additionally has on their belt?
 

Danny Brown

Born from grimey, rough climates, the unusual style Danny Brown has applied to their craft has made the artist a unique voice in the scene. Danny has bars, relentless energy and can play around with different genres, as seen in their latest record. You may even remember their previous work from a trailer or two, as their hit song "Ain't it Funny" made an impression on the Rage 2 promotional campaign. Danny has been outspoken as a gamer, telling GQ that one of their essential items is a Nintendo Switch. Their early work even features a crossover with Insane Clown Posse, bringing more communities to the game.
 

RMR

There certainly have been wildly varying fusions in recent years, but likely the most blindsiding example has been RMR. The artist with monogrammed balaclava croons in an angelic voice about their life as a gangster, while infusing country elements to their songs. RMR is a testament that confidence in hip hop is a vital part of the presentation, because while their sound may not directly correlate to current trends, no one can touch the integrity of the artist's resolve. This person is as hard as any of the 90s rappers that were still present in the original Def Jam games, while being completely their own person. Anyone playing a new game will undoubtedly remember RMR.
 

Injury Reserve

Continuing on individuality, the Injury Reserve collective has made a name for itself by getting increasingly more experimental with time. Their first record made waves for being recorded in a dentist's office. The group's sound has only become weirder and more eclectic, ranging from strange, noise sampling styles to raunchy bangers. Nothing is off the table, not even for a single project; it always can fit together, if you try hard enough. Additionally, it would be pretty funny to see a usually sedate, unassuming Parker Corey join Ritchie With a T and Groggs, to beat the crap out of opponents. The latter recently passed away, sadly, at just 32.
 

Corey Taylor

Def Jam Fight for NY had one character choice that felt very inspired. Trainer Henry Rollins wasn't a hip hop artist, but that didn't make the artist any less fitting. While Rollins is still alive and well, they're slowing down a bit at their age. Corey Taylor, however, is still kicking shins all around them. The artist made a name with Slipknot, who fused metal and hip hop elements. The singer's unmatched aggression carved a lasting impact in people's mind. Slipknot's style has made the band synonymous with rebellious youth culture to this day. Who better than Corey Taylor to tie together an audience from all walks of life and from any age.

 

Daav Valentaten, NoobFeed
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