Formed in the mid-1980s in the Bronx, Ultramagnetic MC's is a hip-hop trio consisting of Kool Keith, Ced Gee, and DJ Moe Love. Known for singles like Something Else and Space Groove, the group pioneered using a sampler as an instrument and incorporating live instrumentation.
Grammy-winning Philadelphia DJ, producer, and turntablist Jeff Townes is known as half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince alongside Will Smith. He pioneered the Transformer scratch, executive-produced Jill Scott's multi-platinum debut, and released solo albums including The Magnificent.
Born in Jamaica and raised in Brooklyn, rapper Chubb Rock left pre-med studies at Brown University for music. Known for his nimble flow, he released key late 80s and early 90s albums on Select, including his biggest hit, the chart-topping rap single Treat 'Em Right.
KRS-One, born Kris Parker, led the influential 80s hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions. Known as the Teacher for his political and socially conscious raps, he later released his solo debut Return of the Boom Bap in 1993 and albums like Hip Hop Lives and The BDP Album.
Born Antonio Hardy in Brooklyn, hip-hop artist Big Daddy Kane joined the Juice Crew and released his acclaimed debut album, Long Live the Kane, in 1988. Known for his rapid rhyming and smooth persona, he scored hits like Smooth Operator and collaborated with Barry White.
MC Lyte is a pioneering hip-hop rapper, DJ, and actress with a 30-year career. She is the first female rapper nominated for a Grammy, the first female artist to earn a gold single, and the first rap artist to perform at Carnegie Hall. She has received numerous honors, including the RIAA Pioneers of Hip-Hop Honor and the BET Her Hip Hop Legend Award, and serves on the Kennedy Center's Hip Hop Culture Council.
Born in Queens, New York, rapper Kool G Rap rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s as part of the influential duo Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, releasing acclaimed albums like Road to the Riches and Live and Let Die before embarking on a solo career.
West Philadelphia rapper Schoolly D, called "forefather of gangsta rap" by Ice-T, pioneered explicit gangsta rap with hits like "P.S.K." and "Signifying Rapper." Known for his raw style, he influenced artists like Eazy-E, collaborated with DJ Code Money, and scored the Aqua Teen Hunger Force theme.
Born in D.C., DJ Kool fused feel-good go-go with hip-hop. Known for "Let Me Clear My Throat," he revitalized old-school rap with live recordings and collaborations with Funkmaster Flex.
Brooklyn-born Masta Ace is a hip-hop luminary, known for his Juice Crew roots and classics like "The Symphony" and "Me and the Biz." His albums, from "Take a Look Around" to "Sittin' on Chrome," mixed East and West Coast sounds. He collaborated with Eminem and MF Doom and formed eMC.
Atlanta's Tag Team duo, known for the '90s hit "Whoomp! There It Is," sold over 4 million copies. Known for high-energy party rap, their work includes hits like "U Go From" and albums with massive singles.
Harlem rapper Rob Base (Robert Ginyard) rose with DJ E-Z Rock on the 1988 multi-platinum hit It Takes Two, a hip-house touchstone. The single and album went platinum, earning Spin Single of the Year. His 1989 solo LP was The Incredible Base.
Florida rap/hip-hop duo led by Van “Thrill Da Playa” Bryant (Jacksonville) and Barry “Fast” Wright (Orlando). Debut album 199Quad went double-platinum, driven by #1 rap hit “Tootsee Roll” (Hot 100 peak #8) and gold single “Kitty Kitty.”
Born Isaac Freeman III, Fatman Scoop, known for "Be Faithful," tops U.K. charts and shines in hits like Mariah Carey's "It’s Like That." Renowned for his loud, hype man style, he also featured with artists like Missy Elliott and Skrillex.
