Hailing from North Carolina, rapper and producer J. Cole (born Jermaine Lamarr Cole) began his journey to stardom with a string of mixtapes released between 2007-2009. After becoming the first artist signed to JAY-Z’s Roc Nation music roster, he released his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story in 2011, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 […]

James Todd Smith, better known as LL Cool J, began rapping at the age of 9. Thirteen years later, he released his first studio album, Radio, through Def Jam Recordings, marking the beginning of hip-hop’s “golden age.” The 1985 release eventually went {latinum in 1989 with singles “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” and “Rock the Bells” contributing to its success. The […]

Atlanta R&B/hip-hop star 6LACK (born Ricardo Valentine) released his LVRN/Interscope Records debut album FREE 6LACK after the explosion of his 2016 single “PRBLMS.” It may seem like he came out of nowhere, but the enigmatic, charismatic crooner has been working on his craft for quite some time. The Atlanta based singer/songwriter honed his skills as a rapper before […]

Big Sean’s rise from humble beginnings to the top of the rap game is proof that hard work equals success. The Def Jam Records signed rapper has not only inspired his legion of fans but also has gained the respect of rappers and labelmates like Kanye West and Pusha T. Born and raised in Detroit, Sean got his big break by […]

2 Chainz’s storied career is the definition of perfect timing. Before captivating listeners with his snappy punchlines and “TRU!” ad-libs, 2 Chainz (formerly Tity Boi) was a member of Playaz Circle, where he ruled the underground for years. His Trap-A-Velli and T.R.U. REALigionmixtapes caught fire… and the ear of Kanye West, who featured him on the Platinum G.O.O.D. Music […]

DJ Khaled is the best—and if you don’t believe it, he’ll tell you himself. The Miami-based, New Orleans-raised DJ, producer, and entrepreneur got his start at a record store in NOLA where he met Birdman, Lil Wayne, and Cash Money artists early in his career. After moving to Miami, Khaled began DJing in reggae soundclashes, soon moving […]

Before Wu-Tang Clan, before Odd Future, and before any of today’s cage-rattling rap groups du jour, there was Public Enemy. Made up of Flavor Flav, Chuck D, Khari Winn, Professor Griff and DJ Lord, Public Enemy was a trailblazing hip-hop collective who became the radical mouthpiece for a generation of sociopolitically energized people eager to expose […]

Starting as a hardcore punk group in 1981, Michael “Mike D” Diamond, Adam “MCA” Yauch, and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz of the group now known as The Beastie Boys infiltrated the hip-hop scene with their post-punk musical stylings. The three New York natives achieved local success and officially transitioned from hardcore punks into hip-hop with the release of their […]

Snoop Dogg (born Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr.) is a Long Beach, California rapper and actor who pioneered West Coast gangsta rap during the ’90s. After being discovered by Dr. Dre in 1992, Snoop was featured on Dre’s solo debut single “Deep Cover” and debut studio album The Chronic. The following year, Snoop dropped his debut album, Doggystyle, on Death Row Records, which debuted at […]

Iconic GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist, Mary J. Blige—a.k.a. the “Queen of R&B”—is a figure of inspiration, transformation, and empowerment, making her one of the defining voices of the contemporary music era. With 13 total albums including eight multi-platinum albums, nine GRAMMY Awards, Golden Globe nominations, and five American Music Awards, Blige is a global superstar. […]

Janet Jackson, widely regarded as the Queen of Pop, is one of the truest examples of a living legend there is. Her career as a singer, songwriter, dancer, actress and all-around artist has endured as long as a lifetime, and even after spending 44 of her 52 years on stages and in studios, Janet still […]

Bronx-by-way-of-London MC, Slick Rick or Richard Martin Lloyd Walters began his career after joining Doug E. Fresh’s Get Fresh Crew under the MC Ricky D. After being featured on the single “The Show” and its even more popular B-side, “La Di Da Di” he gained the attention of Russell Simmons’ Rush Artist Management and became the third artist […]