Alfa Mist　

Big L　

A member of Fat Joe’s DITC crew, rapper Big L was born Lamont Coleman on May 30, 1974. He made his solo debut with 1995’s Lifestylez Ov Da Poor ＆ Dangerous, scoring a series of undergro ..more

Cardi B　

De La Soul　

At the time of its 1989 release, De La Soul’s debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, was hailed as the future of hip-hop. With its colorful, neo-psychedelic collage of samples and styles, plus the ..more

Ghostface Killah　

As one of the original members of the seminal ’90s rap crew the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah (aka Tony Starks) made an impact before he released his debut album, Ironman, late in 1996. L ..more

Kanye West　

In the span of three short years, Kanye West went from hip-hop beatmaker to worldwide hitmaker, as his stellar production work for Jay-Z led to a major-label recording contract and, ultimately, ..more

Kendrick Lamar　

Platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated rapper Kendrick Lamar is one of the rare artists who has achieved critical and commercial success while earning the respect and support of those who inspired him. ..more

Kenichiro Nishihara　

Mobb Deep　

Mobb Deep stood tall as East Coast hardcore rap figureheads on the basis of their epochal album The Infamous. Released in April 1995, The Infamous was released almost exactly a year after {^I ..more

NAS　

Beginning with his classic debut, Illmatic (1994), Nas stood tall for years as one of New York City’s leading rap voices, outspokenly expressing a righteous, self-empowered swagger that endeared ..more

Nujabes　

Nujabes / Shing02　

Raekwon　

Raekwon may not have achieved the solo stardom of his fellow Wu-Tang Clan mates Method Man or Ol’ Dirty Bastard, but along with Genius/GZA and frequent partner Ghostface Killah, he’s ..more

Roots　

One of the most prolific rap groups, the Roots were also among the most progressive acts in contemporary music, from their 1993 debut through their conceptual 2010s releases. Despite the seemingly ..more

Travis Scott　

A Tribe Called Quest　

Without question the most intelligent, artistic rap group during the 1990s, A Tribe Called Quest jump-started and perfected the hip-hop alternative to hardcore and gangsta rap. In essence, they aba ..more

Tyler the Creator　

The RZA and maybe even GZA of Odd Future, Tyler, The Creator is the alternative rap crew’s main rapper, producer, and source of inspiration. Tyler Okonma got his first taste of fame whe ..more