By Jay’Mi Vazquez
Managing Editor
The UGS 2025 Top 10 Cypher, launched by Underground Sound, marked a defining moment for the underground rap scene.
It is the first in what is hoped to be an annual series of cyphers designed to put a spotlight on true underground talent, with a special focus on rising artists who have not yet cracked the 100K Instagram follower threshold.
The event mirrors the renowned XXL Freshmen Cypher but with a more underground, authentic twist.
The ten artists featured on the cypher were: Percaso, BREZZO, CAYO, SkinnyBoi CJ, K3, Xtsy*, RRoxket, YT, PRETTIFUN and Benji Blue Bills
The artists were given just two hours to record their verses, but that short window did not stop them from delivering high-quality performances.
Each artist came with a distinct style, blending unique flows and subject matter, all while maintaining the core spirit of underground rap.
The cypher kicked off with Percaso, a 15-year-old artist from Orlando, whose aggressive style immediately set the tone for the cypher.
Despite being young, Percaso has already amassed significant streams, with his track “KK” earning over 340K streams. His verse was high energy, and he was even holding a grenade launcher while rapping.
BREZZO, hailing from Atlanta, followed, delivering a melodic and introspective verse that matched his style perfectly.
Since signing with a record label a year ago, BREZZO’s progression has been undeniable. His tracks like “2 Steps” and “Scarface” have already gained him significant traction and his cypher verse proved why he is a rising star in the underground.
Next was CAYO, whose collaboration with major artist, Trippie Redd on “Late 2” has garnered millions of streams.
CAYO’s smooth, melodic flow on his verse, combined with his introspective lyrics, highlighted his talent and versatility. His rise, particularly on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, is a testament to his ability to blend cloud rap and aggressive elements seamlessly.
The cypher featured K3, who delivered the most memorable verse on the cypher despite having a smaller discography and fan base.
Her potential is clear, as she brought hard-hitting bars to her verse, proving she has the chops to compete with the best within the underground scene, but also with the larger mainstream female artists.
SkinnyBoi CJ followed with his witty, laid-back flow that struck a perfect balance of humor and sharp lyricism.
Known for his skits and playful approach to rap, SkinnyBoi CJ’s verse felt like a natural extension of his unique style, with clever one-liners and smooth delivery.
Xtsy*, showcased his rhythmic mastery on an aggressive beat produced by ivvys1.
His storytelling ability, combined with a unique sound influenced by his musical upbringing, made his verse stand out.
Following Xtsy* was RRoxket, whose distinctive flow and animated delivery reflected his playful yet sharp lyricism. The Florida-born, Atlanta-based rapper is known for his infectious personality and creative music videos.
Although amongst viewers he had one of the lacking verses, his actual discography has some good songs like “Ganger” and “Cartoned Milk,” which helped him gain significant momentum in the underground scene.
YT, a 21-year-old artist from northeast London, brought his smooth, dark flow to the cypher, incorporating references to UK culture and his signature adlib “oi.”
His rise to fame through TikTok, especially with his song “Arc’teryx,” has made him a force to be reckoned with in the underground scene. His verse in the cypher solidified his reputation.
Next up was PRETTIFUN a multifaceted artist known for both producing and rapping.
His verse, delivered on a beat by egobreak, was aggressive yet melodic, much like his overall style. PRETTIFUN’s growth from a producer in the 4ersona collective to a full-fledged artist is evident, with songs like “Ice Cream” gaining traction in the underground.
Finally, Benji Blue Bills delivered the standout verse of the cypher, with his verse going viral on Instagram reels and amassing nearly 1 million views.
His smooth flow and distinct tone of voice is what will cement his place as one of the underground’s brightest stars.
The underground has truly arrived, and if this cypher is any indication, its future is bright. Fans and viewers of this year’s cypher are already anticipating the talent that will be showcased next year.
