Brooklyn rapper Fabolous emerged in 2001 with his hit debut single Can't Deny It and the platinum album Ghetto Fabolous. Known for blending street toughness with crossover pop appeal, he released multiple Top Ten albums, including the chart-topping Loso's Way, and earned Grammy nominations for hits like Money Goes, Honey Stay.
Born in Gary, Indiana, pop and R&B superstar Janet Jackson broke out with her 1986 album Control. Known for hits like Rhythm Nation 1814 and That's the Way Love Goes, she shaped contemporary pop with state-of-the-art production, dynamic dancing, and themes of independence.
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.
Rapper Kodak Black, born Dieuson Octave in Pompano Beach, Florida, emerged in 2013 with gritty street mixtapes like Project Baby. He released chart-topping albums including Painting Pictures and Dying to Live, and scored hits like the platinum-certified Super Gremlin.
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.
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 collaborations with Young Dolph, he released his major-label debut Glockaveli in 2025.
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).
Rochester-born singer-songwriter Danielle Ponder left a criminal justice law career in 2021 to pursue music full-time. Her debut album Some of Us Are Brave led to TV appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and festival performances at Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.
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 and earned multiple Grammy Awards throughout his successful career.
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.
Originating from Memphis, 8Ball and MJG are pioneering Southern rap duo Premro Smith and Marlon Jermaine Goodwin. Emerging in the early 1990s, they released influential milestones like Comin Out Hard and In Our Lifetime, Vol. 1, and achieved commercial success with Living Legends on Bad Boy Records.
Born in Compton, rapper and producer DJ Quik debuted with the platinum-certified 1991 album Quik Is the Name, featuring hits like Tonite. He released several gold albums in the nineties, including Safe & Sound, and produced tracks for stars like Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, and Janet Jackson.
Waka Flocka Flame is an American rapper from Atlanta and CEO of Brick Squad Monopoly. An early trap music influencer with over 30 mixtapes, he is known for hit singles like O Let's Do It, Hard in Da Paint, and No Hands featuring Roscoe Dash and Wale.
West Coast rap star Too $hort pioneered early gangsta themes with explicit tales of street life and sex. Born Todd Shaw in Los Angeles and raised in Oakland, he released his major-label debut, Born to Mack, in 1988, followed by several multi-platinum albums including Life Is...Too Short.
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-fire rhyming, he issued albums like It's a Big Daddy Thing and later pursued acting.
Miami rapper Trina rose to fame after featuring on Trick Daddy's 1998 hit Nann. She released her gold-certified debut album, Da Baddest Bitch, in 2000, followed by several Top 20 albums including Diamond Princess and Glamorest Life.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Chicago 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 hit debut album, Finally Rich, in 2012. He is also known for prolific mixtapes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
