The self-proclaimed “Biggest Boss” Rick Ross knows all about building an empire. His grandiose raps—and personality to match—have made him one of the biggest MCs in the world and a true household name. Ross quickly amassed a rabid fanbase along with cosigns from DJ Khaled, Trick Daddy, and Trina after paying his dues on the underground rap scene in Miami. He finally […]

Rae Sremmurd, consisting of real-life brothers Slim Jxmmi and Swae Lee, is the first act signed to multi-platinum producer Mike WiLL Made-It’s Ear Drummer Records. Rae Sremmurd’s first single under the Ear Drummer Records, “No Flex Zone,” was a breakout for the duo, becoming a cultural touchstone throughout 2014 and entering Billboard’s Hot 100 and Top 40, […]

Pusha T is the unsung hero of lyrical rap; the introspective and fierce Virginia Beach MC has spent the last few decades giving the game some of the most vivid stories ever told on wax. In the early ’90s, Pusha teamed up with his brother Malice to form Clipse, a now-legendary duo that blazed the trail for artists from the Virginia area. […]

Post Malone, born Austin Richard Post, made his introduction with 2015 single “White Iverson,” which rapidly grew from a Soundcloud spark to a blazing 4x Platinum hit that launched the young Texas-based artist’s career. The song’s impact earned Post a deal with Republic Records, and his star has continued to rise ever since. He’s mastered […]

Just a few years after edging into Atlanta’s hip-hop underground, Playboi Carti delivered a self-titled mixtape that debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200. As his first release for Interscope Records, Playboi Carti features “Magnolia” and “wokeuplikethis*”—two chart-busting singles that embody the 21-year-old rapper’s deeply experimental but hook-heavy sound. During his teen years in Atlanta, Carti rapped under the moniker Sir Cartier before […]

Nicki Minaj (born Onika Tanya Maraj) grew up in Queens, NY and skyrocketed to fame after a slew of mixtapes between 2007 to 2009 upon which she signed to Young Money Entertainment in 2009. She is the best selling female rapper of all time and has released three studio albums since signing to Republic/Cash Money. Born […]

Nelly (born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.) is a GRAMMY Award-winning American rapper and actor from St. Louis, MO. The Midwestern MC got his start with the group St. Lunatics in 1993 and six years later, the crew signed to Universal Records. One year later, Nelly kicked off his solo career with the debut album, Country Grammar, which peaked […]

The opinion that Nasir Jones—better known as simply Nas—is one of the most important rappers of all time is all but unanimous. The New York native took the world by storm at age 21 with his 1994 debut album Illmatic, which is regarded by many as the greatest hip-hop album ever made, and particularly a pillar in […]

Atlanta trio Migos—made up of Offset, Quavo, and Takeoff—grew up together and started making music around 2009. The three cousins grew quite a buzz in the Atlanta rap scene and—much like the rest of the ATL’s rising stars—Migos found a mentor in Gucci Mane. In 2012, they released the mixtape No Label, but it wasn’t until 2013’s YRN that put them in […]

Percy Robert Miller a.k.a. Master P is a living legend from New Orleans whose talents have transcended boundaries for the entirety of his long career. A rapper, producer, entrepreneur and more, Master P’s professional story began in the 1990s when he opened a store called No Limit Records that would eventuate into his record label and storied […]

Recording artist, actor, philanthropist, restaurateur—just a few of the befitting titles for Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, who first gained worldwide acclaim more than 10 years ago with his debut album, Back For The First Time. Ever since, his unrivaled lyrical prowess, dynamic performances, and timeless hits including “Stand Up,” “Get Back,” “Number One Spot,” “Money Maker,” and “My Chick […]

Logic (born Sir Robert Bryson Hall II) grew up in Maryland and began his rap career with a batch of increasingly popular mixtapes spanning from 2009 to 2013, whereupon he inked a deal with Def Jam. His debut studio album, Under Pressure, came to fruition the following year, but his breakthrough came in 2015 with his critically-acclaimed […]