Bios

Introduction Too $hort is one of the Godfathers of West Coast hip-hop and one of the most controversial rappers of all time. His lyrics about pimps, drug dealers, and the street culture of California helped create a cult-like following and laid the foundations for the emergence of West Coast gangsta rap. But it also attracted […]

If I had to pick a song that concisely defines hip hop—like, the closest thing we have to a dictionary definition of this genre—I’d go with the 2007 track “Hip Hop Lives.” I can go on and on about the mind-blowing beat and the masterful production of DJ Marley Marl, but I’m especially fixated on

A trailblazer in the world of hip-hop since the early 2000s, rapper Fat Joe has come a long way since his days growing up in the projects of the Bronx. Whether you know him from his music with the groups D.I.T.C. or Terror Squad, as a frequent collaborator of the late Big Pun, or from

This is the honest-to-goodness truth: in late 2002, I could not walk one block without hearing the song “Dilemma.” Why exactly was this track so ubiquitous? While Kelly Rowland’s heavenly voice is a damn good reason, I’d ultimately point to the artist who’s telling the irresistible tale of forbidden love: Nelly. The song’s incessant AAHs

Jadakiss is a New York hip-hop legend who is widely regarded as one of the greatest lyricists of all time. From his work with the LOX to his successful solo career, Jadakiss has been a dominant force in hip hop since the late 90s. Twenty years into the game, he’s still dropping quality projects and

Raekwon is one of the founding members of the Wu-Tang Clan and has contributed to some of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. From his work with the Wu-Tang to his prolific solo career and partnership with Ghostface Killah, Raekwon has a talent for crafting grandiose street epics that set him apart from many

In the ultra-competitive world of hip hop, the goal is to be Batman, not Robin. But some emcees, whether they like it or not, are more Dick Grayson than Bruce Wayne. Big Boi will always be second fiddle to André 3000; Lauryn Hill clearly outshone Wyclef Jean and Pras, and Havoc was—you have to admit

Logic—an emcee within the new hip hop generation- was once just a Young Sinatra, making music like the emcees before him. With Bobby Tarantino spitting the cutthroat verses on the mixtapes to come, his albums became the outlet to tell his most personal stories. The life of the infamous rapper, Logic, has been filled with

Mos Def, now known as Yasiin Bey, is among the most celebrated MCs of the early 2000s. From his pivotal collaboration with Talib Kweli, Black Star, to his massive solo career, to his successful transition into acting, Mos Def has continuously proven his talent and versatility. Although he’s taken a step back from the public

I have never felt as conflicted about an emcee’s legacy as I have for one Lauryn Hill. There’s no way that I can dispute her place in hip-hop history. At a time when it was immensely difficult for female rappers to become household names, Ms. Hill defied the odds and ascended into stardom. Setting records