Artists that early on in their career didn’t seem that promising but as they got older and put out more music they grew and went on to become great artists or greater than they were before

The first that comes to mind to me is Mac Miller

Fiveo Foreign

Tory Lanez

Went from being the butt of jokes for years to arguably one of the top 5 most talented rappers in the game rn (leave Meg controversies at the door plz)

Back to the butt of a joke

Tom Waits

Freddie Gibbs

ive barely heard any of his earliest stuff ngl but seems generally agreed he didnt really hit his stride until he was like 30

Danny Brown

Honestly thread was made for him

his music was better earlier in his career

Everything since chixtapes has been mid

Yeah, yeah, yeah, God, can you hear me?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, niggas ain't really with me
Yeah, yeah, yeah, main homies turned against me
Yeah, yeah, yeah, heard the story, think I'm finished
Yeah, yeah, yeah, give my lawyer a hundred and fifty
Ooh, oh

this is a great but tough question. i usually find it's the other way around, where that artists catches that lightning in a bottle within their first few projects.

mac is a great example and in that same bracket, i'll throw up Tyler. two dudes who have been dope musically (production wise i guess) since the start but kept honing their skills and elevating their artistry.

Childish Gambino

I should clarify for others not for me

Lollllll

Tyler the creator

yes

Awaken, My Love and 3.15.20 >>>

In some ways Thundercat again even those his beginning stuff great

sort of. definitely in terms of the music itself. in some ways tho, his very first albums were a lot more boundary-pushing and exciting than his current output.

i was a lot more excited & hyped for a follow-up to goblin or cherry bomb than I am to a follow-up for CMIYGL

JPEG before he spit in the crackers mouth. He started at like 30

Griselda

deez nuts

Kanye West

2 Chainz

Arvo Part