Tallahassee-born Faheem Rasheed Najm, known as T-Pain, emerged in 2004, reshaping pop, hip-hop, and R and B. He has sold over 50 million singles, won six Grammy Awards, and won The Masked Singer. He also authored the 2021 book Can I Mix You a Drink.
Gadsden-born, Nashville-based multi-platinum artist Yelawolf is the founder of Slumerican, Creek Water Whiskey, and the breakthrough album Radioactive. His gold-certified album Love Story reached #3 on the Billboard 200, featuring platinum singles Till It's Gone and Best Friend. He has collaborated with Ed Sheeran, Travis Barker, and Eminem, and released the double album War Story.
Soulja Boy Tell Em (born DeAndre Way) is a Chicago-born, Mississippi-raised rapper, producer, and entrepreneur. Rising to fame via MySpace, he founded Stacks on Deck Entertainment and was discovered by producer Mr. Collipark before signing with Interscope.
Atlanta party rap duo Ying Yang Twins broke through nationally with their 2003 collaboration with Lil Jon, the hit single Salt Shaker. Signed to TVT, they released Me & My Brother and USA, featuring hits like Wait (The Whisper Song), and appeared on Britney Spears' In the Zone.
Dillon Francis, born in Los Angeles, California, is an electronic music producer and DJ known for pioneering moombahton, trap, and electro house. His popular songs include platinum-certified "Get Low" with DJ Snake and "I.D.G.A.F.O.S.". He earned a Latin Grammy nomination for "Sexo". Francis collaborates with artists like Skrillex, Kygo, and Daya, and released singles such as "What It Feels Like" (2026). He is recognized for his genre-bending style and comedic persona.
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.
Akon, known for his soulful voice, has dominated charts with hits like "Smack That" and "I Wanna Love You." He collaborated with icons like Michael Jackson and Eminem, selling over 35M albums with five Grammy nods. Holds a record for ringtones and double Billboard Hot 100 top spots. Also, he founded "Akon Lighting Africa" to help solve electricity issues in sub-Saharan Africa.
LaRussell, from Vallejo, revitalizes rap with authentic artistry. Through his collective "Good Compenny," he empowers indie artists while championing fair ownership and community involvement.
St. Louis-born NandoSTL, known for his soulful style, debuted in 2018 with "Good Vibes". A vital part of T-Pain's Nappy Boy team, influenced by Nelly, Wyclef Jean, and Cee-Lo Green, he blends rap and soul seamlessly.
Pink Sweat$, born David Bowden in Philadelphia, is an R&B singer-songwriter known for sparse, emotional ballads. His debut album, "Pink Planet" (2021), charted on the Billboard 200. Bowden started as a songwriter for artists like Tierra Whack. After battling a rare disorder, he pursued a solo career with hits like "Honesty." He's collaborated with HONNE, 6LACK, and Tori Kelly, and released "Pink Moon" in 2022.
Milwaukee rapper-songwriter Myaap delivers defiant, high-energy flow; collab’d with AyooLii & J.P. Viral hits: “Hts,” “Wham,” “Party Crackin.”