James Gunn just dropped his alternative hip-hop picks for 2025, and the acclaimed filmmaker isn’t holding back his enthusiasm.
In a list compiled for GQ, Gunn declared this year as his favorite in alternative rap since the early 2000s.
That’s high praise from someone who witnessed the golden era of MF DOOM, Aesop Rock, and OutKast.
His top ten tracks reveal an eclectic mix of underground favorites and emerging voices that showcase just how vibrant alternative hip-hop has become in 2025.
Why 2025 Stands Out According to Gunn
Gunn didn’t just casually throw together this list. He emphasized that narrowing down his selections to just ten tracks proved genuinely challenging.
Easily my favorite year in alternative hip-hop since the early aughts, when MF DOOM, Louis Logic, CunninLynguists, Atmosphere, Aceyalone, OutKast, Aesop Rock, and many more were releasing one banging track after the next and changing the face of what hip-hop could be.
The director noted something remarkable about 2025’s hip-hop landscape: sheer volume meets quality in unprecedented ways.
He acknowledged that ranking these songs felt almost arbitrary, depending entirely on his mood when creating the list.
That said, I don’t know if there’s ever been such a sheer volume of great work out there, which made it difficult to restrict this list to only ten tracks.
The Top Three That Define His Year
While Gunn admits his rankings fluctuate, three tracks held firm positions as his absolute favorites.
These weren’t just his top alternative hip-hop songs—they cracked his overall top ten tracks across all genres for 2025.
Ghais Guevara Takes the Crown
Leading Gunn’s list is Ghais Guevara’s “The Old Guard Is Dead,” a bold statement both in title and execution.
Guevara represents exactly what Gunn celebrates: artists pushing boundaries and refusing to conform to mainstream expectations.
LaRussell’s NPR Tiny Desk Performance
Coming in second, LaRussell’s sprawling Tiny Desk performance features collaborations with Homage Simon, Michael Prince, Shante, ClayDough, Tietta, MALACHI, and Tiione.
The medley includes “10s, 20s, 50s, 100s,” “Test Ya Nuts,” “Once Upon a Time,” and “WHAT WE DOIN!?”
Live performances rarely make year-end lists, which makes this inclusion even more significant.
Clipse Returns With Spiritual Depth
Rounding out Gunn’s top three is Clipse featuring John Legend and Voices of Fire on “The Birds Don’t Sing.”
This collaboration marks another evolution for Clipse, blending their signature sound with gospel influences.
Underground Veterans and Fresh Voices
Gunn’s remaining seven picks demonstrate his appreciation for both established underground artists and emerging talent.
Backxwash’s “Wake Up” claims the fourth spot, showcasing experimental production that defies easy categorization.
McKinley Dixon appears at number five with “Run, Run, Run Pt. II,” continuing his reputation for narrative-driven hip-hop.
LaRussell Appears Twice
LaRussell makes a second appearance at number six, this time collaborating with Lil Jon on “I Got Flavor!”
This double inclusion speaks volumes about LaRussell’s productive and diverse output in 2025.
Aesop Rock’s Continued Relevance
Alternative hip-hop legend Aesop Rock lands at number seven with “Roadwork Rappin’,” proving his staying power decades into his career.
Rock was specifically mentioned in Gunn’s praise of early 2000s alternative rap, making this inclusion feel like a full-circle moment.
International Flavor and Established Stars
KNEECAP featuring Mozey takes the eighth spot with “THE RECAP,” representing Irish-language rap on Gunn’s predominantly American list.
Little Simz, one of UK hip-hop’s most acclaimed artists, appears at number nine with “Free.”
Her inclusion highlights how alternative hip-hop has become a truly global phenomenon.
Closing out Gunn’s top ten is Open Mike Eagle with “woke up knowing everything,” a contemplative track from another underground veteran.
What This List Reveals About Alternative Hip-Hop
Gunn’s selections paint a picture of alternative hip-hop at a creative peak.
Several themes emerge from his choices:
- Genre-blending experimentation: Artists aren’t confined to traditional hip-hop structures
- Geographic diversity: Talent emerges from across America and internationally
- Veterans still innovating: Artists like Aesop Rock and Clipse continue evolving
- Rising stars gaining recognition: Names like Ghais Guevara and LaRussell command attention
- Live performance matters: LaRussell’s Tiny Desk inclusion proves recorded tracks aren’t everything
The filmmaker’s passion for alternative hip-hop clearly runs deep, extending far beyond casual listening.
His willingness to declare 2025 superior to the early 2000s golden era carries weight—that period produced some of alternative rap’s most influential albums.
For fans seeking music outside hip-hop’s mainstream, Gunn’s list offers an excellent roadmap to 2025’s most exciting alternative releases.
Whether you’re drawn to experimental production, conscious lyricism, or genre-defying collaborations, these ten tracks represent alternative hip-hop firing on all cylinders.