NOLA Bounce Music
New Orleans bounce music is taking the world by storm.
While it may have started as an underground music style popular in local clubs and neighborhoods, New Orleans bounce is becoming a widely recognized music genre across the globe. Bounce icons including DJ Jubilee, Magnolia Shorty, Partners-N-Crime, Big Freedia, and HaSizzle paved the way for up-and-coming New Orleans bounce artists, displaying the art of creating twerk music you can feel.
In today's social media-centric world, New Orleans bounce has reached new audiences with the help of trending bounce audios and local creators with large followings. As the bounce scene continues to grow, so does the amount of emerging artists producing bounce bangers. Six local music artists on the rise are helping to bounce New Orleans onto the map.
504icygrl
This music artist is small in stature but has a huge stage and vocal presence. Her indistinguishable voice pierces through the speakers and commands the listener's ear. She is more than a hit maker. From her creative rump-shaking music videos to her bold street marketing, there is no doubt she is serious about taking her music career to the next level. In traditional New Orleans bounce fashion, her songs feature explicit lyrics paired with rich and layered bounce beats designed to make your body move. Listen to her when you need to hype yourself up or want a quick confidence boost.
Must listen-to songs: "Where He At," "Neck Remix," and "Throw Me Something Big."
Dino BTW
If you're born and raised in New Orleans, Dino BTW sounds like home. Her authentic local voice embodies second line Sundays, Mardi Gras day at the Zulu parade, and really any opportunity to bounce, shake, and twerk in the city. Her mature lyrics, repetitive hooks, and boisterous sound are everything new age bounce music is about: dancing, freedom of expression, and all things New Orleans. It's the type of music you hear blaring from a party bus with women dancing backside-up out the windows—if you know, you know. Some stand-out samples featured in Dino BTW's catalogue are Lumidee's "Never Leave You," T.I.'s "Memories Back Then," and "Mesmerize" by Ja Rule and featuring Ashanti.
Must listen-to songs: "Baby Daddy," "Uh Oh," and "7th Ward."
Ella on Da Mic
Some voices are quickly recognizable and stick with you after only a few listens. Ella on Da Mic is one of those artists. Showcasing a powerful, energetic, and sharp delivery, Ella on Da Mic means what she says. Like some of her peers, her memorable hooks and bars are dominating the trending social media audios and are the soundtrack to a growing number of dance videos. Many of her songs talk about romantic relationships, haters, and uncensored activities. This local artist is big on collaboration. She has worked with New Orleans performers such as 504icygrl, Joshua Starkman, and Sissy Nobby.
Must listen-to songs: "Make Way," "Habits," and "Yum Yum."
Qween Qweezy
This fiery and unapologetic female rapper is kicking the door down of new-age New Orleans bounce music. As the daughter of Ms. Tee, the first woman signed to Young Money Cash Money, Qween Qweezy has been surrounded by music her entire life. Initially hesitant to dive into bounce music, Qweezy leaned into her New Orleans roots and released Bounce Fah Me in 2024. The eight-track album, full of unforgettable samples from 2000s R&B hits, showcases a collection of dance anthems, provocative lyrics, and women empowerment jams that could only be produced in the Big Easy.
Must listen-to songs: "Never ever ever," "PONY," and "Rollin."
Subtweet Shawn
If you're on the New Orleans TikTok algorithm, then you've probably seen countless videos of dancers tripping out to Subtweet Shawn. Gaining millions of views on TikTok and Instagram, this music artist and content creator is taking New Orleans bounce to new heights. His call-and-response lyrics and homegrown local sound effortlessly transport listeners to the streets of the Crescent City. You know the local artist is on the mic when you hear his signature "all right." New Orleans bounce is known for its innovative sampling, and Subtweet Shawn doesn't fall short in that arena. His song "Baby" puts a bounce spin on the early 2000s song "Shawty" by Plies.
Must listen-to songs: "ITS LIKE RAIN," "Baby," and "21 Seconds."
T99zy
We can't talk about tripping out without talking about T99zy. The New Orleans artist's 2024 single "Trip Out" has more than one million streams and around 200,000 TikTok videos using the trending audio. Music artists including Chance the Rapper, GloRilla, Fredo Bang, and Moneybagg Yo have been filmed doing the popular New Orleans dance, and it continues to grow in fame. While this may be his first song to become a bounce phenomenon, T99zy has made multiple recognizable hits. His other 2024 singles "Enemy" and "Rock Yo Hips" are continuously played at local parties and events. "Enemy" was even featured on local DJ Legatron Prime's Superbowl LIX Hip-Hop Dance Party (DJ Mix) for Apple Music this year.
Must listen-to songs: "Trip Out," "Enemy," and "Rock Yo Hips."
Twerk Somethin'
Other emerging and established bounce artists to listen to:
BJ So Cole
Bog Vonnie
OnlyHeaven
Reup Reedy
Shardaysa Jones
SupahBadd
Treety
VickeeLo
