Atlanta reigns supreme as the mecca of rap, surpassing NYC and LA over the past 15 years. From Goody Mob and Outcast to Ludacris, the city has shaped rap's sounds and styles. In the mid-2000s, trap music took over, led by T.I., Jeezy, and Gucci Mane. 

In the mid-2010s, Atlanta's music scene underwent a significant transformation as trap music evolved into a darker sound. Waka Flocka Flame's "Flockaveli," produced by Lex Luger, and hits from artists like Roscoe Dash and Travis Porter marked this shift. Future's rise with "Racks" and Childish Gambino's transition to music in 2011 further solidified Atlanta's dominance, highlighting the diverse talents shaping the city's unique sound.

In 2012, Future's "Pluto" album, with hits like "Tony Montana" and "Same Damn Time," defined Atlanta's early 2010s scene with production by Mike Will Made It. Simultaneously, 2 Chainz, formerly Tity Boi, took over the Southside with solo hits like "No Lie" and "I'm Different" after going solo in 2010.

In 2013, Atlanta's rap scene witnessed the emergence of future legends. Young Thug gained attention with "Stoner," while Migos, Rich Homie Quan, and Trinidad James made waves with hits like "Versace," "Type of Way," and "All Gold Everything," respectively. Young Scooter, associated with Future's Freebandz label, also rose to prominence with "Colombia," solidifying Atlanta's status as a rap powerhouse.

In 2014, Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan joined Birdman's Rich Gang, featuring on the hit "Lifestyle." PeeWee Longway, tied to Young Thug and Gucci Mane, gained attention, and OG Maco's unexpected hit "You Guessed It" went viral. Future's mixtape "Monster" with hits like "Some Commas" and "Codeine Crazy" further solidified Atlanta's influence.

In 2015, Young Thug's "Barter 6" and Future's mixtapes like "Beast Mode" and "56 Nights" set the stage for iconic releases like "Dirty Sprite 2" and the collaborative album "What a Time to Be Alive" with Drake. Producers Metro Boomin and Southside played pivotal roles. Atlanta introduced Bankroll Fresh with "Walked In," and 21 Savage gained recognition with "Red Ops," leading to their successful collaboration "Savage Mode" in 2016. Lil Yachty's ascent from SoundCloud to mainstream success featured hits like "One Night" and "Minnesota," culminating in his debut album "Lil Boat" and a feature on the massive hit "Broccoli."

In 2016, Atlanta witnessed the rise of artists like YFN Lucci, Rich the Kid, Hoodrich Pablo Juan, Uno The Activist, and DayDay. YFN Lucci's "Key to the Streets" gained significant recognition. Migos started their remarkable journey with the hit "Bad and Boujee," leading to the successful album "Culture."

In 2017, 21 Savage continued his success with "Bank Account" and introduced his cousin, Young Nudy, through hits like "Hell Shell" and "EA." SahBabii's "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick" broke out, while EarthGang and J.I.D. joined J. Cole's Dreamville label. Playboy Carti achieved mainstream status with "Magnolia," and Money Man began gaining recognition.

Moving into 2018, Gunna, associated with Young Thug and YSL, gained buzz with "Drip Season 3," featuring hits like "Oh Okay." Lil Baby, who emerged in late 2017, had viral success with "Freestyle" and became a breakout star with hits like "Yes Indeed" featuring Drake. Lil Baby and Gunna's collab album "Drip Harder" produced the Platinum hit "Drip Too Hard." Rich the Kid also had a successful year with the release of "Plug Walk." 

In 2019, Atlanta's music scene experienced highs and lows. Lil Baby, after a successful 2018, focused on shows, while Gunna dropped the well-received album "Drip or Drown 2." Young Thug's "So Much Fun" was praised as one of his best projects. New artists like Lil Keed, Lil Gotit, Young Nudy, and Lil Quill emerged. Lil Keed's "Keed Talk To Em" featured hits like "Nameless" and the viral "It's Up Freestyle." Lil Gotit's "Pop My S**t" and Young Nudy's "Godzilla" made waves.

In 2020, Lil Baby's "My Turn" featured hits like "We Paid" and "The Bigger Picture," maintaining his momentum. Gunna and Future also released successful projects. Slime Life Shawty gained buzz in 2020 from the same Cleveland Ave area as Young Thug, Lil Keed, and Lil Gotit.

In 2021, a shift in style became apparent with artists like Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, and SSG Kobe gaining prominence with a distinct approach. Additionally, Lotto made waves with her hit "Big Energy," showcasing a different style compared to the typical Atlanta rap scene of the previous decade.

In 2022 and 2023, Atlanta's music scene saw rising stars and challenges. Legal issues hit Young Thug, Gunna, and YSL members, while the Migos split, and tragedy struck with Takeoff's passing. Despite challenges, Atlanta remains a musical hub, having shaped hip-hop over the past decade.