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.
New Orleans rapper Juvenile emerged in the 1990s bounce scene and found national fame as a solo artist and member of Hot Boys. He is best known for hits like Ha, Back That Azz Up, and the chart-topping Slow Motion, alongside multi-platinum albums including 400 Degreez.
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.
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.
Method Man (Staten Island, Wu-Tang Clan) and Redman (Newark, Def Squad) are an iconic East Coast hip-hop duo known for their energetic style and clever lyrics. Their acclaimed collaborations include "How High" and "Da Rockwilder", featured on albums like "Blackout!". Method Man earned a Grammy, and Redman was named "Rap Artist of the Year". They are also recognized for their cult classic film "How High".
New York City-bred hip-hop trio De La Soul (Posdnuos, Dave and Maseo) debuted with 3 Feet High and Rising (1989), produced by Prince Paul. They released six more albums through 2004’s The Grind Date, and earned a Grammy nod for 2016’s …And The Anonymous Nobody.
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).