Philadelphia native Jeff Townes is a pioneering turntablist best known as half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, winning two Grammys including the first Best Rap Performance for Parents Just Don't Understand. He also founded A Touch of Jazz production house and executive-produced Jill Scott's multi-platinum debut.
Born in Barbados, rap's first human beatbox Doug E. Fresh became a major star in the 1980s. He released hip-hop classics like The Show/La Di Da Di with the Get Fresh Crew, featuring Slick Rick. His notable albums include Oh, My God! and The World's Greatest Entertainer.
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.
New Orleans hip-hop artist Juvenile rose to fame as a solo artist and member of Hot Boys, known for his deep rasp and hits like Ha, Back That Azz Up, and the number one smash Slow Motion. He broke through with the quadruple platinum 1998 album 400 Degreez.
Born William Griffin, Jr. in Wyandanch, New York, rapper Rakim rose to fame as one-half of the influential 1980s duo Eric B. & Rakim. Known for his smooth flow and intricate internal rhyme schemes, he helped define East Coast hip-hop with classic albums like the platinum debut Paid in Full. He later released solo projects including The 18th Letter.
Born in London and raised in the Bronx, pioneering rapper Slick Rick is renowned for his effortless storytelling and platinum-selling 1988 debut, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick. A Def Jam staple, he released albums including The Art of Storytelling and became one of history's most sampled artists.
MC Lyte is an iconic hip hop rapper, DJ, and actress with a 30-year career. She is the first female rapper nominated for a Grammy, the first rap artist to perform at Carnegie Hall, and the first female artist to earn a gold single.
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.
Born in Queens, New York, rapper LL Cool J emerged in the 1980s with hits like Radio and the multi-platinum Mama Said Knock You Out. A Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, he is also an actor and author who starred in NCIS: Los Angeles.
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).
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