Born in Austin, Texas, rapper Nelly rose to fame with his diamond-certified 2000 debut album, Country Grammar, and chart-topping hits like Hot in Herre and Dilemma. He formed the St. Lunatics, earned multiple Grammy Awards, and later released the country-rap album Heartland.
Bryson Tiller is a Kentucky-born contemporary R&B singer and rapper known for his trap-rooted sound. His 2015 debut album T R A P S O U L featured hits like Don't and the Grammy-nominated Exchange. He topped the charts with True to Self and earned further success with albums including A N N I V E R S A R Y.
Born in Gary, Indiana, pop and R&B superstar Janet Jackson broke out with her 1986 album Control. Known for state-of-the-art production and massive hits like That's the Way Love Goes, she became a defining artist with multiple chart-topping releases and major acting roles.
Miami rapper Trina rose to fame after featuring on Trick Daddy's 1998 hit Nann. She released her gold-certified debut Da Baddest Bitch in 2000, followed by hit albums like Diamond Princess. She also starred in Love & Hip Hop: Miami.
Memphis-born rapper Key Glock delivers stark, uncompromising verses updating his city's narcotic hip-hop style. Known for chart-topping projects like Yellow Tape and collaborative releases with Young Dolph, he debuted on Paper Route Empire with 2017's Glock Season.
Based in Ft. Myers, Florida, rapper Plies signed to Slip-N-Slide in 2004. He released his debut album, The Real Testament, in 2007, featuring the single Shawty. His subsequent albums include Definition of Real, Da Realist, and Goon Affiliated, which topped Billboard's rap chart.
Rochester-born singer-songwriter Danielle Ponder left her career as a criminal justice reform lawyer in 2021 to pursue music full-time. Her debut album Some of Us Are Brave established her as a powerful voice in soul, leading to major festival performances, TV appearances, and her sophomore album Everything Has Changed.
Too Short is an influential West Coast rap star born in Los Angeles and raised in Oakland. Known for explicit street themes and sparse instrumentals, he released his gold major-label debut, Born to Mack, in 1988, followed by several platinum albums including Life Is Too Short.
Compton-born rapper and producer DJ Quik debuted with the platinum album Quik Is the Name in 1991, featuring hits like Tonite. Known for his funk-inspired sound, he released gold-certified albums including Safe & Sound and produced tracks for stars like Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, and Janet Jackson.
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.
American rapper Waka Flocka Flame, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is the CEO of Brick Squad Monopoly. As an early trap music influencer, he released over 30 mixtapes and chart-topping singles like O Let's Do It, Hard in Da Paint, and No Hands.
Grammy-nominated Brooklyn rapper Fabolous emerged in 2001 with his hit debut single Can't Deny It and platinum album Ghetto Fabolous. Known for blending street toughness with pop appeal, he secured multiple Top Ten albums, including the chart-topping Loso's Way, and collaborated with prominent artists like Jay-Z and Ne-Yo.
Originating from Memphis, Tennessee, Southern rap pioneers 8Ball and MJG formed in 1984 and released influential albums like Comin' Out Hard and In Our Lifetime, Vol. 1. They achieved their greatest commercial success with the Bad Boy Records release Living Legends.
Columbia, Maryland's Brent Faiyaz is an R&B singer-songwriter known for his "sly vocals" and atmospheric slow jams. A Grammy nominee for "Crew," he's released acclaimed albums like "Wasteland" and "Icon," collaborating with artists such as Drake and Tyler, the Creator. His independent spirit defines his artistry.
Born in Pompano Beach, Florida, rapper Kodak Black emerged in the mid-2010s with gritty street anthems like SKRT. Known for his ruthless flows, he topped the Billboard 200 with albums like Painting Pictures and Dying to Live, and scored major hits including the platinum-certified Super Gremlin.
Chicago-born rapper Chief Keef is an influential figure in the 2010s drill scene, known for hardcore rhymes about inner-city life. He rose to fame with his street single I Don't Like and released his debut album, Finally Rich, in 2012. He is a prolific artist with a vast catalog of mixtapes and albums.
Born in Detroit, El DeBarge is the falsetto voice of ’80s R&B group DeBarge, known for hits “All This Love,” “Rhythm of the Night” and solo “Who’s Johnny?” (Short Circuit).
Philly-born DJ/producer Drama, Gangsta Grillz mixtape king; co-founded Atlantic’s Generation Now (Lil Uzi Vert, Jack Harlow); narrated Tyler’s CMIYGL; collab’d w/ T.I., Wayne, Jeezy.
Raised in Nashville, TN, Coco Jones is an R&B singer and actress known for her soulful, honest style. She starred in Disney's Let It Shine and Peacock's Bel-Air and is signed with High Standardz/Def Jam.
St. Louis-born rapper, writer and producer Smino moved to Chicago and released EPs S!ck S!ck S!ck and blkjuptr. His debut album blkswn (2017) made Rolling Stone’s 40 Best Rap Albums list; Luv 4 Rent featured “90 Proof” with J. Cole.
NJ-born, LA-based rapper-singer with raw rhymes & big vocals; mixtapes Everythingcoz/EC2, EP Now Or Never; collabs Gunna, Fetty Wap; “No More Parties.”
Calumet City, IL singer-rapper with raw, forthright R&B/hip-hop. XXL Freshman ’15; signed to Timbaland. Gold hits “Cut It Out” & “Bottom Bitch.” Collabs: Jeremih, 2 Chainz.
Kendrick Lamar, a Compton native, is renowned for his poignant lyricism, winning Grammys and a Pulitzer. Known for hits like "HUMBLE." and "Not Like Us," he's worked with Future, Dr. Dre, and U2. His albums, notably good kid, m.A.A.d city and To Pimp a Butterfly, showcase his storytelling prowess, earning him acclaim in both hip-hop and mainstream music.
Megan Thee Stallion, from Houston, is a three-time GRAMMY winner known for hits like "Savage" with Beyoncé and "WAP" with Cardi B. An influential artist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, she's earned accolades like the BET and Billboard Music Awards and made history as the first Black woman on Forbes' Under 30 cover.
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.
Memphis-born singer-songwriter Jozzy, now based in Los Angeles, is Diamond-certified and a three-time Grammy winner. Her debut EP Songs for Women, Free Game for N****,* hit #1 on the iTunes R&B chart; collab “ten” with Fred Again.. went viral.
Lagos-born Nigerian singer-songwriter/producer blending intimate, spiritual alt-R&B/Afrobeats; known for "For Broken Ears", "If Orange Was a Place"; Grammy & BET winner.
Goodie Mob, an Atlanta-based hip-hop group, includes Big Gipp, Cee-Lo, Khujo, and T-Mo. Known for their impact in Southern rap, their 1995 debut, "Soul Food," is a classic.
American-born, Cameroonian-raised Afro-Pop/Afrobeats/R&B singer; rose on The Voice USA. Known for soulful, honest songs on identity & mental health; 100M+ streams.
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter/producer and performance artist Durand Bernarr, born in Cleveland, Ohio and based in Los Angeles. Released EP Sound Check (2016); co-produced and featured on KAYTRANADA’s “Freefall” (BUBBA).
