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.
Cleveland hip-hop group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony was discovered by Eazy-E and signed to Ruthless Records. They achieved multi-platinum success with their 1995 album E. 1999 Eternal and the chart-topping single Tha Crossroads. Known for hits like I Tried, the group has collaborated with 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G.
Born in New York, rapper Rakim is widely regarded as one of the greatest MCs of all time. As half of the influential 1980s duo Eric B. & Rakim, he helped pioneer internal rhyme schemes on classic albums like the platinum debut Paid in Full. He later released acclaimed solo projects including The 18th Letter.
Formed in Philadelphia by rapper Black Thought and drummer Questlove, the Roots are a progressive hip-hop band known for live instrumentation and acclaimed albums like Things Fall Apart. They earned a Grammy for You Got Me and became a prominent late-night television house band.
Common is a Grammy-winning artist, actor, and activist with a three-decade career. He won an Academy Award and an Emmy Award for the song Glory, co-written and performed with John Legend for the film Selma. His recent releases include the two-part album A Beautiful Revolution.
Born in Queens, New York, rapper and actor LL Cool J emerged in the 1980s with hits like Radio and Bigger and Deffer. Known for multi-platinum albums including Mama Said Knock You Out, he earned Grammy Awards, a Kennedy Center Honor, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Savannah, GA rapper/producer: OutKast & Dungeon Family’s Big Boi—cool, witty rapid-fire flow; Grammy-winning Speakerboxxx; “Player’s Ball,” “Shutterbugg.”
Yonkers, New York native Jadakiss, born Jason Phillips, is an East Coast hip-hop icon known for his distinctive raspy voice and sharp, hardcore rhymes. A key member of The Lox, his solo career includes hit albums like "Kiss of Death" and "Ignatius" (2020), and the Grammy-nominated track "Why?". He frequently collaborates with artists such as Styles P and Mariah Carey.
Z-Trip is an award-winning DJ/producer, dubbed a pioneer of the Mashup Movement. Hip-hop rooted but genre-blending, he’s collaborated with Linkin Park and Public Enemy, toured over a decade with LL Cool J, and released Shifting Gears (4-star Rolling Stone).