Slick Rick with Big Daddy Kane, The Sugarhill Gang, and more

Brooklyn-born Big Daddy Kane, alias for Antonio Hardy, emerged in the late '80s as a hip-hop icon. Known for his smooth style and Afrocentric themes, Kane was part of the Juice Crew, collaborated with Biz Markie, and released classics like "Ain't No Half-Steppin'." He gained fame with hits such as "Smooth Operator" and worked alongside legends like Barry White. Despite a dip with the 1991 album Prince of Darkness, Kane's influence remains substantial in the genre.

Slick Rick, born in London, became a hip-hop icon known for his storytelling and signature style, debuting with the classic 1988 album "The Great Adventures of Slick Rick." Despite legal issues, he released hits like "Children's Story" and collaborated with stars like Nas and Snoop Dogg. His influence persists with numerous artists sampling his work.

Sugarhill Gang, pioneers from New York, launched hip-hop with "Rapper's Delight" in 1979, selling over 8 million copies. Known for hits like "8th Wonder" and "Apache," they faded by mid-80s but returned in 1999.