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Black Sherif-Kwaku The Traveler

Black Sherif-Second Sermon

Black Sherif-Second Sermon Remix

The true story about Bob Marley and Wailers

BURNA BOY-AFRICAN GIANT

Kizz Daniel ft Tekno-Buga

Pheelz ft BNXN-Finesse

YEMI ALADE

Yemi Eberechi Alade (born 13 March 1989), simply known as Yemi Alade, is a Nigerian Afropop singer and songwriter. She gained prominence after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009, and is best known for her hit single "Johnny". Alade made her musical debut in an all-girl group called Noty Spices in 2005, but her music became widely popular after she won the Peak Talent Show in 2009. She later released her first single "Fimisile" under the Jus' Kiddin' label. In 2012, she signed onto the music label, Effyzzie Music Group, and released her single "Ghen Ghen Love". In July 2013, Alade released the video for her afro-R&B song "Bamboo", produced by Fliptyce. "Bamboo" went on to be a moderate hit and a popular wedding song.In the last quarter of 2013, her single, "Johnny", produced by Selebobo, was leaked on the internet. The song became an international hit in Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Liberia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and the United Kingdom, among others.
Alade has been featured on the covers of several magazines and performed around the world, sharing stages and songs with Mary J. Blige, Shina Peters, M.I, Wizkid, Becca, May D, Waje and Yemi Sax. She also headlined the Super Diva’s Nite at the 2013 Calabar Festival, and opened for the 2013 Headies Awards. In 2014, Alade was featured on Yung6ix’s track "Lights", as well as on a remix of "Sebiwo" by Beninese afropop star Lace. Alade teamed up with cinematographer Clarence Peters to create a music video for "Johnny", which was released in March 2014 to critical acclaim and now has more than 91 million views on YouTube, as of June 2018.
Alade joined M.I, Waje, Timi Dakolo, and Burna Boy in singing the theme song for Port Harcourt, the UNESCO 2014 World Book Capital, as part of a project urging young people to read and stay in school. Shortly after that, Alade released a new single entitled "Tangerine", featuring Selebobo; the track charted across Africa. She appeared as a guest artist on Falz’s debut album. She released her debut album, King of Queens, on 2 October 2014, and then went on tour. Alade then released her second studio album, titled Mama Africa, in March 2016. Yemi Alade Publicist Joseph Oladugba King, the CEO of J-World entertainment has done a great Job to see the artist succeed in her career. He promoted her videos and organized several media campaigns. In 2018, she released a well accepted tune entitled "Oh My Gosh", No one can take the "Mama Africa" title from her anytime soon.
Discography • King of Queens (2014) • Mama Africa (2016) • Black Magic (2017) EPs • Mama Afrique (2017) Selected singles • "Fimisile" (2009) • "Ghen Ghen Love" (2013) • "Johnny" (October 2013) • "Classic Girl Freestyle" (Jidenna's "Classic Man" cover) (2015) • "Na Gode" (July 2015) • "Koffi Anan" (Freestyle) (January 2016)[9] • "Ferrari" (March 2016) • "Kom Kom (ft. Flavour)" (May 2016) • "Want You" (July 2016) • "Africa (ft. Sauti Sol)" (July 2016) • "Tumbum" (November 2016) • "Knack Am" (2017) • "Get Through This (ft. Mi Casa)" (2017) • ”Single and Searching” (November 2017) • "Bum Bum"(March 2018) • "How I Feel" (2018)

AMARA LANEGRA

Dana Danelys De Los Santos , known by her stage name, Amara la Negra , is Dominicana ​ American ​ Musician ​ and multi-talented artist who is a part of Love and Hip Hop: Miami. Since her participation in the prime time television show, La Negra's presence as a dynamic artist has pushed boundaries concerning the idea of Racism in the Afrolatino communities in the United States​ and throughout Latin American.
De Los Santos was born and raised in the state of Florida ​ by a single mother. Her Mother migrated to the city of Miami ​ where she worked endlessly, supposedly five jobs. When her mother gave birth to De Los Santos, she maintained her idea of work ethic in order to ensure that her daughter would have a bright future. The mother and daughter would live in the neighborhood of Allapattah.
Her mother was adamant that her daughter would be a star one day, and so about a year after giving birth she would enter De Los Santos in a beauty pagean for toddlers in Florida. Her one year-old daughter would go on to win first place in the contest. During her upbringing, De Los Santos would become part of several elite performance art schools in Miami. Her mother's work guaranteed that her daughter would learn and intake all the lessons that would condition her to be a start. De Los Santos attended dance classes everyday. She also took acting and modeling classes throughout most of her upbringing.​ De Los Santos had a childhood that revolved around the future of her career as an artist. She never learned how to ride a bike or how to swim, or roller skate. Her mother would often ask her: “do you want to have fun or prepare for your future?” That question was instilled as a way for De Los Santos to constantly recall the determination of achieving success. Due to the amount of work output of De Los Santos, she rarely had friends.
Born in the U.S., and of Dominican background, she visited the Dominican Republic​ for the first time at the age of 18​. Amara la Negra got her start as a child performer and personality on the weekly Univision's Sábado Gigante for six years​. Her time on the weekly entertainment television show made her a prominent child artist in the Latin American ​ community. After her time with Sabado Gigante, she would go on to tour around Latin America as a dancer, singer, and actress. AMARA LA NEGRA - AYY feat. Jowell Y Randy, Los Pepes, RickyLindo.
Amara La Negra has been performing for years as a dancer and singer in the Latin American market since she was a young girl, and in 2015 began breaking into the American market with her song, "Asi".​ The song reps Afro-Latinas and women of color in a way that challenges the norm and traditional modes of sexuality in musical genres such as that of Reggaeton​. Two years prior the release of "Asi", Amara La Negra made a name for herself in the Reggaeton sex-infused anthems such as "Muevelo". She released the song, "Ayy" which became a hit in Latin America. The music video for the song shows a provocative Amara La Negra exercising her sexual freedom. For the next three years, Amara La Negra would put out single after single as an unsigned artist.

FUSE ODG

Nana Richard Abiona (born 2 December 1988), better known by his stage name Fuse ODG, is a Ghanaian-English hip hop recording artist. He is best known for his 2013 single "Antenna" which peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, and for featuring in Major Lazer's "Light It Up (Remix)" which also peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. Born in London and raised in Ghana, Fuse returned to London for his secondary education, where he attended the Archbishop Lanfranc School, Croydon. He grew up in Mitcham, South London.
On 2 June 2013 Fuse ODG released his debut single "Antenna", the song peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, the song also peaked at number 85 on the Irish Singles Chart. On 29 September 2013 he released the single "Azonto", the song peaked at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart. On 19 October 2013, he was awarded 'Best African Act' at the MOBO Award's 18th Anniversary. He recently won four awards at the Urban Music Awards 2013; Best Music Video, Best Single, Best Artiste and Best Collaboration. On 29 December 2013 he released the single "Million Pound Girl (Badder Than Bad)", the song peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart, the song also peaked at number 65 on the Irish Singles Chart. On 18 May 2014 Fuse ODG released "Dangerous Love", featuring Sean Paul. It peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. His next single, "T.I.N.A." featuring British R&B artist Angel, was released on 19 October 2014. His debut album, T.I.N.A., an acronym for "This Is New Africa", was released on 3 November 2014 and includes all five singles, the album peaked to number 25 on the UK Albums Chart, the album also peaked to number 63 in Scotland. Fuse ODG turned down an offer to sing on the Band Aid 30 project because he objected to the way the lyrics of the song portrayed the victims of the ongoing Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, and Africa generally.
In April 2015 he featured on Tinchy Stryder's single "Imperfection". In July 2015 he released the single "Only". He features on Angel's single "Leyla". The song was released on 17 July 2015. On 4 September 2015 he released the single "Top of My Charts". In 2016, he collaborated with Asian British artist Zack Knight and Indian rapper Badshah. They came together and composed an African/Indian soundtrack, "Bombae".

STORMZY

Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. (born 26 July 1993), better known by his stage name Stormzy, is an English grime artist, singer and rapper. He won Best Grime Act at the 2014 and 2015 MOBO Awards and was named as an artist to look out for in the BBC's influential Sound of 2015 list. His most successful song to date is the BPI platinum-selling "Shut Up", which was initially released as a freestyle on YouTube. The track was then officially released and got to number eight on the UK Singles Chart after Stormzy launched a campaign to reach Christmas number one. His debut album, Gang Signs & Prayer, was released on 24 February 2017 and was the first grime album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart.
After garnering attention on the UK underground music scene via his Wicked Skengman series of freestyles over classic grime beats,Stormzy released his debut EP Dreamers Disease independently in July 2014. On 22 October 2014, Stormzy won Best Grime Act at the MOBO awards. Later that month he became the first unsigned rapper to appear on Later with Jools Holland performing the song "Not That Deep" from Dreamers Disease. In November 2014, Stormzy collaborated with rapper Chip and Shalo on the track "I'm Fine", also appearing in a video for the song.
On 7 January 2015, Stormzy came number 3 in the "BBC Introducing top 5" on Radio one. In March 2015 he released the single "Know Me From", which entered the UK Singles Chart at number 49. In September 2015, he released a final installment to his "WickedSkengMan" freestyle series, "WickedSkengMan 4", onto iTunes, along with a studio version of his "Shut Up" freestyle over XTC's Functions On The Low instrumental. The track debuted at number 18 on the UK chart dated 24 September, becoming Stormzy's first top 40 hit and the first ever freestyle to reach the top 40 in the United Kingdom.
On 12 December 2015, Stormzy performed "Shut Up" during British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua's ring-walk for his fight versus Dillian Whyte. Originally, "Shut Up", released as part of the "WickedSkengMan 4" single EP in September 2015, charted at number 59. Since the performance, it began climbing up the iTunes chart and into the top 40. As a result, Stormzy launched a Christmas number 1 campaign to get the song to number 1. It generated a large amount of support which made it enter the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart on 18 December 2015 at number 8, a week prior to the Christmas number 1 week, succeeding the chart position of "WickedSkengMan 4". It has become Stormzy's highest-charting single. In April 2016, Stormzy dropped the non-album song "Scary" before he went into hiatus. After a year's hiatus from social media, Stormzy returned in early February 2017 via a series of billboard campaigns across London displaying the hashtag #GSAP 24.02. The album title was announced to be Gang Signs & Prayer. The album was released on 24 February 2017 and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart on 3 March 2017.

REGGIE ROCKSTONE

Reggie Rockstone (Reginald Yaw Asante Ossei, "the Godfather of Hiplife") is a Ghanaian rapper . He was born in the United Kingdom but lived his early years in Ghana in Kumasi and Accra. He has been living in Ghana continuously since he pioneered the Hip-Life movement in 1994. He pioneered the Hiplife art form and has played an important role in the development of this uniquely African genre in Ghana's capital Accra. He raps in Akan Twi and English. In 2004, Rockstone won the Kora Award for the best African video and he performed in front of a 50,000-person crowd in Ghana, together with Shaggy. In 2006 he recorded a track with the Jamaican Dancehall singer Beenie Man called "Chukku Chakka" (in reference to Rockstone's 1999 hit "Eye Mo De Anaa", which sampled Fela Kuti). Rockstone is the son of fashion designer Ricky "Ricci" Ossei (Saint Ossei). Reggie Rockstone attended Achimota School. Reggie joined Ghanaian hip hop group VVIP following the exit of Promzy in 2014.
Born in the U.K. on April 11, 1954, Reginald Osei aka Reggie Rockstone attached himself to the Hip Hop movement in the early 80's as a dancer. Travelling on a tri-continental basis (i.e. Accra, New York, London), he broadened his Hip Hop scope. A natural performer and trained actor, he grabbed the mic with no problem when his calling came in 1991.His first 'fifteen minutes of fame' came as a dancer in Accra, Ghana in the early 80's. His second chance of fame came in 1992-93 as member of one of the top rap groups from London, England. He belonged to PLZ (Parables, Linguistics and Zlang) with Fredi Funkstone, Jay (both from West Africa) & DJ Pogo of the U.K. Number one hits from PLZ included "If it Aint PLZ" and an EP entitled "Build a Wall Around Your Dreams" released on an independent label called "Go For the Juggler." 1994 became the watershed or turning point in his entertainment career. The rap scene in London was not rewarding enough. He returned to Accra to encounter a whole generation of people grooving to African-American rhythms, all heavily influenced by the same elements of Hip Hop that he knew all too well.
He had an idea! Use the hip hop beats with authentic phat production and lace it with true African dialect; The Akan language of Twi. It became the tool to make such butter classics as "Sweetie, Sweetie", "Tsoo Boi", "Nightlife in Accra" and "Agoo" from his debut album in 1997 entitled "Makaa! Maka!". Launched on an independent label called KASSA RECORDS that he partly owns, Reggie Rockstone has reached Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians across four continents[7] Reggie Rockstone is credited as the pioneer of hiplife or Kasahara music in Ghana and like some masters of the art of hip hop, he has proclaimed his retirement and out of retirement several times. His specialty in Asante Twi and is incredibly well versed in English too. He is internationally acclaimed, with several performances throughout West Africa, the UK, France, USA and Switzerland.
In 2013 he was selected to be a judge of the maiden edition of the Glo X Factor Africa along with Onyeka Onwenu and M.I. He was also a judge for the fifth edition of the Malta Guinness Street Dance competition in 2012. In 2009 Rockstone was one of 17 Public figures,who were outdoored by Globacom to endorse their brand,which was part of their preparations to roll out in Ghana.
Albums Rockstone recorded four albums for the Kassa Records label and one for MixerPot: • Makaa Maka (I Said It Because I Said It), 1997 • Me Na Me Kae (I Was The One Who Said It), 1999 • Me Ka (I Will Say), 2000 • Last show, 2004 • Reggiestration, 2010

DAVIDO

David Adedeji Adeleke (born November 21, 1992), better known by his stage name Davido, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. His 2011 single "Dami Duro" was well-received throughout Nigeria. Along with his elder brother Adewale Adeleke, Davido is the co-owner of HKN Music (a record label home to Sina Rambo, B. Red and DeeKay). He has produced songs for Naeto C, Skales, Tiwa Savage and Sauce Kid. In April 2012, he signed an endorsement deal with MTN Nigeria. On October 23, 2013, Davido partnered with Guinness Nigeria for the "Guinness World of More" concert.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Davido relocated to Lagos at a young age. His debut album Omo Baba Olowo, released in 2012, was initiated by the bringing out of singles "Back When" featuring Naeto C, "Dami Duro", "All of You", "Overseas" featuring Sina Rambo, "Ekuro", "Gbon Gbon" and "Feel Alright" featuring Ice Prince. Between 2013 and 2015, Davido released the singles "Gobe", "One of a Kind", "Skelewu", "Aye", "Tchelete (Goodlife)" featuring Mafikizolo, "Naughty" featuring DJ Arafat, "Owo Ni Koko", "The Sound" and "The Money" featuring Olamide. The aforementioned singles were reportedly intended to be singles off the album, The Baddest.
In January 2016, Davido announced via Twitter that he signed a record deal with Sony Music. His announcement was met with mixed reactions. The record label put out a press release to confirm the deal. Davido started his own label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), few months after signing with Sony. Dremo and Mayorkun are currently signed to the label. In July 2016, Davido signed a record deal with Sony's RCA Records.
In early 2013, Davido began recording his second studio album. On February 25, 2013, he released "Gobe" as the upcoming album's lead single. The song was produced by Shizzi. Charles Mgbolu of Vanguard commented on the release of the single, saying: "It’s a beautiful song with a tremendous video running along. In Gobe, Davido is beaten up by thugs after winning the girl. It’s a song that exudes fun from start to finish." The music video for the single was shot in South Africa by Godfather Productions. The song was ranked second on Premium Times list of the Top 10 songs of 2013. Davido announced via Twitter that the second single "One of a Kind", from the upcoming album, would be released on May 13, 2013. The song was also produced by the aforementioned in-house producer. The music video for "One of a Kind" was shot and directed in South Africa by Tebza of Godfather Productions. It visualizes a united Africa rich in culture and music.
Discography • Omo Baba Olowo (2012) • Son of Mercy (2016 "Back When" (featuring Naeto C) Omo Baba Olowo "Dami Duro" "Ekuro" "Overseas" (featuring Sina Rambo) "Gbon Gbon" "All of You" "Feel Alright" (featuring Ice Prince) "One of a Kind" "Gobe" The Baddest "Skelewu" "Aye" "Tchelete (Goodlife)"(featuring Mafikizolo) "Dodo" "Fans Mi" (featuring Meek Mill) "Owo Ni Koko" "The Sound" (featuring Uhuru & Dj Buckz) "The Money" (featuring Olamide) "Gbagbe Oshi" Son Of Mercy "Maga To Mugu" (featuring Simi) "If" "Fall" "Pere" (featuring Rae Sremmurd, Young Thug) "Fia" "Like Dat" "My lilly (featuring Jah Prayzar) "Assurance" Non-album single "Flora My Flawa" "Nwa Baby"

WIZKID

Yodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born 16 July 1990), known professionally as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He started recording music at age 11 and managed to release a collaborative album with the Glorious Five, a group he and a couple of his church friends formed. In 2009, he signed a record deal with Banky W.'s record label Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). He rose to prominence in 2010 with the release of the song "Holla at Your Boy" from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011). "Tease Me/Bad Guys", "Don't Dull", "Love My Baby", "Pakurumo" and "Oluwa Lo Ni" were also released as singles from the Superstar album. Wizkid's self-titled second studio album, Ayo, was released in September 2014 and was preceded by six singles: "Jaiye Jaiye", "On Top Your Matter", "One Question", "Joy", "Bombay" and "Show You the Money".
In 2016, Wizkid achieved international recognition following his collaboration with Drake on the global hit, "One Dance", which reached number one in 15 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. In addition to his solo work, Wizkid has collaborated with several other artists and was featured on the hits "Girl" (with Bracket), "Fine Lady" (with Lynxxx), "Sexy Mama" (with Iyanya), "Slow Down" (with R2Bees), "The Matter" (with Maleek Berry), "Pull Over" (with KCee) and "Bad Girl" (with Jesse Jagz).
Following the release of his second studio album and expiration of his 5-year recording contract, Wizkid left E.M.E. On 1 March 2017, Billboard magazine reported that Wizkid signed a multi-album deal with RCA Records.The deal was first reported by several media outlets in September 2016. The chairman and CEO of RCA Records, Peter Edge, confirmed the signing while speaking to Music Business Worldwide in January 2017.
He was ranked 5th on Forbes and Channel O's 2013 list of the Top 10 Richest/Bankable African Artists. In February 2014, Wizkid became the first ever Nigerian musician to have over 1 million followers on Twitter. Moreover, he became the first Afrobeats artist to appear in the 2018 Guinness World Records for his contribution to Drake's hit song "One Dance".
Discography Main article: Wizkid discography Studio albums • Superstar (2011) • Ayo (2014) • Sounds from the Other Side (2017) Compilation albums • Empire Mates State of Mind (2012) (with EME)

SARKODIE

Michael Owusu Addo (born July 10, 1985) professionally knowN as Sarkodie, is a Ghanaian hiplife recording artist and entrepreneur from Tema. He won the Best International Act: Africa category at the 2012 BET Awards, and was nominated in the same category at the 2014 BET Awards. In 2015, Sarkodie was ranked the 19th most Influential Ghanaian by e.tv Ghana. He is considered one of the major proponents of the Azonto genre and dance. Sarkodie is often named as one of Africa's greatest hip life artists. MTV Base ranked him 6th on its list of the Hottest African MC's in 2014. In 2013, Lynx TV ranked him 1st on its list of the "Top 10 Ghanaian Rappers of All Time". In 2015, AfricaRanking.com ranked him 3rd on its list of the "Top 10 African Rappers of 2015". In 2015, The Guardian listed him as one of its top five hip hop acts on the African continent.
Sarkodie, the fourth of five children, was born and raised in Tema,to his mother Maame Aggrey. Sarkodie started rapping at a young age and continued throughout his educational career. He attended Tema Methodist Senior High School. He earned a degree in graphic design from IPMC. Sarkodie began his instrumental career as an underground rapper. He appeared on Adom FM's popular rap competition Kasahare Level. It was through rap battles that he met his former manager Duncan Williams of Duncwills Entertainment. He also met musicians Edem and Castro who introduced him to Hammer of The Last Two, an established record producer. Hammer decided to feature Sarkodie on two songs off the Volta Regime album after being impressed with his rap flows. After this exposure, Sarkodie recorded his debut album Makye. His first single "Baby", featuring Mugeez of the duo R2Bees, became an instant hit and made Sarkodie a household name within the Ghanaian music industry.
Sarkodie often raps in his native language Twi, and is considered a "multifaceted rapper" due to the various musical styles he possess. He was ranked 8th on Forbes and Channel O's 2013 and 2015 lists of the Top 10 Richest/Bankable African Artistes.Sarkodie has had the privilege of performing on the same stage with international musicians such as T-Pain, Miguel, Movado, Trey Songz,and Ludacris. He has a large fan base in Africa, and is considered one of the most celebrated musical icons to hail from Ghana.
Discography Main article: Sarkodie discography Studio albums • 2009: Makye • 2012: Rapperholic • 2014: Sarkology • 2015: Mary • 2017: Highest Collaborative albums • 2013: T.M.G (with Jayso)

CASSPER NYOVEST

Refiloe Maele Phoolo (born 16 December 1990), professionally known as Cassper Nyovest, is a South African recording artist and record producer. His debut album Tsholofelo was released on 18 July 2014. He is currently signed to his own independent label and media company, Family Tree. Nyovest got a SAMA award for best collaboration for 'NGUD', a song by Kwesta featuring Nyovest. On 10 October 2017, he was also awarded best Male Southern African by African Musiq Magazine Awards Nyovest Thuto Album went Gold on the day of release and within a few weeks it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).
Nyovest Announced plans to fill up 75,000-capacity FNB Stadium in August. On 17 November 2017 he announced that the tickets for the golden circle was 70% sold, and some notable performers for this concert were also revealed. With Nyovest initially finding it difficult to fund the show all by himself due to lack of sponsors, his biggest rival in SA hip hop, AKA, offered to perform at FNB Stadium for a fee of one million South African Rands and also insisted that their differences should be finally put to bed. This quickly got fans from both sides talking and it did contribute to the hype surrounding the whole show. However, Nyovest's management team rejected this offer from AKA. Kwesta threw his weight behind the concert and advised other hip hop acts to support this historic move and made it known to the fans that he is performing for free at the concert. Fans took this to be a slight dig at AKA who is also a good friend of Kwesta. Nyovest finally got three major brands to sponsor his show: Ciroc SA, SABC 1 and Budweiser. On 2 December, Nyovest announced that 72,000 tickets were sold, compared to the attendance record of 68,000.
Discography Studio albums: Tsholofelo (2014) Refiloe (2015) Thuto (2017)

CANIBUS

Germaine Williams (born December 9, 1974), better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican born-American rapper and actor. He initially gained fame in the 1990s for his ability to freestyle, and eventually released his debut album Can-I-Bus in 1998. Since releasing his debut album, Canibus has gone on to release 13 solo studio albums in total, as well as multiple collaboration albums and EPs with other rappers as a member of The HRSMN, Sharpshooterz, Cloak N Dagga, The Undergods, and one-half of T.H.E.M.
The Source placed him number 44 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time. He began rhyming in the early '90s and by 1992 under the name Canibus Sativa, and formed a duo called T.H.E.M. (The Heralds of Extreme Metaphors) with Atlanta rapper Webb (now called C.I., also known as Central Intelligence). In 1996, T.H.E.M. split and Canibus teamed with businessman Charles Suitt. That same year Charles Suitt introduced Canibus to platinum produced Frankie Cutlass and the two collaborated on a song making it Canibus first official song. In December 1997, Canibus first publicly discussed a verbal confrontation with LL Cool J in an interview with Tourè for The Village Voice. Also attending the interview was John Forté, DMX, Big Pun, Mos Def and Mic Geronimo. The roundtable discussion was recorded by Kurt Nice and featured in Shades of Hip Hop compilation Hot 2 Def in 1998 and re-released in 2004 on Shades of Hip Hop: The Cypher.
Discography Can-I-Bus (1998) 2000 B.C. (Before Can-I-Bus) (2000) C! True Hollywood Stories (2001) Mic Club: The Curriculum (2002) Rip the Jacker (2003) Mind Control (2005) Hip-Hop for Sale (2005) For Whom the Beat Tolls (2007) Melatonin Magik (2010) C of Tranquility (2010) Lyrical Law (2011) Fait Accompli (2014) Time Flys, Life Dies... Phoenix Rise (2015) (with Bronze Nazareth) Full Spectrum Dominance EP (2018) Full Spectrum Dominance 2 EP (2018) HRSMN (Canibus with Killah Priest, Kurupt & Ras Kass) The Horsemen Project (2003) Historic EP (2014) The Undergods (Canibus with Keith Murray) Canibus & Keith Murray are The Undergods (2009) In Gods We Trust – Crush Microphones to Dust (2011) Other collaborations Def Con Zero (2005) (with Phoenix Orion, as Cloak-n-Dagga) Lyrical Warfare (2011) (with Webb, as T.H.E.M.) (Recorded from 1993–1995) The 2nd Coming (2013) (with Bronze Nazareth, Cappadonna, M-Eighty, Nino Grave & Planet Asia, as Almighty)

CHRONIXX

Jamar McNaughton (born 10 October 1992), popularly known as Chronixx, is a Jamaican reggae artist. His stage name replaced the name "Little Chronicle" which he was given because of his father, the singer "Chronicle".Chronixx and his music has been branded as a "Reggae Revival", alongside other reggae musicians including Dre Island, Jah Bouks, Jah9, Protoje, Kelissa, Jesse Royal, Keznamdi and Kabaka Pyramid. His lyrical content revolves around themes of anti-war, romantic declarations and resiliency.
McNaughton began songwriting at an early age and his father Jamar McNaughton Sr, known professionally as "Chronicle", began to nurture his musical aspirations. McNaughton wrote his first song, "Rice Grain", at the age of 5. During an interview with Okay Player Chronixx spoke on his early life: "My music come from early beginnings, from childhood days. I used to sing at school, in church, and then my whole family sings. My daddy, Chronicle, caused me to be very exposed to music from a very tender age. That’s where the music started for me. Professionally now, that’s when I was in high school. I started producing. Making riddims. But the music go from then until now. When I was 15, 16 I started producing and it was a great vibe for me."
His popularity grew throughout 2012, with significant airplay in Jamaica, and performances at festivals such as Reggae Sumfest and a show in December at the Tracks and Records nightclub/restaurant in Kingston, which was attended by Usain Bolt. He was featured on the Major Lazer-curated mixtape Start a Fire. In 2013, he had hits with "Smile Jamaica" and "Here Comes Trouble", and he toured the United Kingdom (including a BBC 1Xtra concert in Leeds) and the United States with his Zincfence Redemption Band. In March 2013, he travelled to Kenya, where he has a large fanbase, as a Peace Ambassador during the country's general election, and performed at the Tuko Rada Peace Concert in Nairobi. He again performed at Sumfest in 2013, in front of an audience of more than 10,000.
His EP, Dread & Terrible, was released on 1 April 2014, and topped the Billboard Top Reggae Albums charts on the week of 18 April. Following his appearance on the Jimmy Fallon show and his Central Park concert the EP saw significant gains, according to Nielsen SoundScan, earning a number two position on the Digital Reggae Singles chart. The EP returned to the number one spot on the Top Reggae Albums chart, according to SoundScan. By March 2015, the EP had spent 42 consecutive weeks in the top 10 of the Top Reggae Albums chart.
In May 2014, he won Culture Artist of the Year, Best New Artist, and Entertainer of the Year at the Linkage Awards in New York. In July 2014, he performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on US network NBC. He followed this with a concert in Central Park attended by over 5,000 people. In September 2014, he was nominated for a MOBO Award in the Best Reggae Act category. The following month he won awards for Best Song (for "Smile Jamaica") and Best Music Video (for "Here Comes Trouble") at the 33rd International Reggae & World Music Awards. He founded his own ZincFence Recordz production house along with producer Romain "Teflon" Arnett and co-producer/engineer Ricardo "Shadyz" Lynch. As well as Chronixx, ZincFence has produced hits by Jah Cure, Kabaka Pyramid, and Protoje, and had worked with Maverick Sabre, Mavado, and Nomaddz.
In January 2015, Chronixx appeared on "Belly of the Beast" a song which featured on American rapper Joey Badass debut album B4.Da.$$. In June 2015, Chronixx performed at the Glastonbury Festival as a part of a partnership with EE, the singer's set was described as a "highlight" and was well received. His 2017 debut album, Chronology, received a Grammy Award nomination, and in the same year he received a Prime Minister's National Youth Award for Excellence.
List of Songs Selected singles • "Somewhere" (2012), On Chronology • "Start a Fyah" (2012), Jungle Josh - Game Theory Riddim • "Mi Alright" (2013), Chimney - with Kabaka Pyramid • "Access Granted" (2013), Notis • "World Under Siege" (2013), Roots Tribulation • "Alpha and Omega" (2013), John John • "Most I" (2013), Don Corleon • "Thanks and Praise" (2013), Lifeline • "Here Comes Trouble" (2013), Overstand • "Selassie Souljahz" (2013), Royal Order Music - with Sizzla, Protoje, and Kabaka Pyramid • "Smile Jamaica" (2013), Silly Walks Discotheque • "Ain't No Giving In" (2013), Chimney - B-side of Tarrus Riley's "Gimme Likkle One Drop" • "Rain Music" (2013) • "Perfect Tree" (2014), Royal Order Music • "Prayer" (2014), Israel • "Capture Land" (2014), Overstand • "Ghetto People" (2015), On The Corner Riddim Produced by Damian Jr. Gong Marley • "Light It Up" (2015), On Medicine Riddim produce by Opposite Crew • "Likes" (2017) • "Ghetto Paradise" (2017)

FELA KUTI

Fela Anikulapo Kuti (15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997), also professionally known as Fela Kuti, or simply Fela, was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, musician, composer, pioneer of the Afrobeat music genre and human rights activist. He has been called "superstar, singer, musician, Panafricanist, polygamist, mystic, legend." At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers."
The musical style of Felá is called Afrobeat, a style he largely created, which is a complex fusion of jazz, funk, Ghanaian/Nigerian highlife, psychedelic rock and traditional West African chants and rhythms. Afrobeat also borrows heavily from the native "tinker pan".The importance of the input of Tony Allen (Fela's drummer of twenty years) in the creation of Afrobeat cannot be overstated. Fela once famously stated that "without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat".
Afrobeat is characterized by a fairly large band with many instruments, vocals and a musical structure featuring jazzy, funky horn sections. A riff-based "endless groove" is used, in which a base rhythm of drums, shekere, muted West African-style guitar and melodic bass guitar riffs are repeated throughout the song. Commonly, interlocking melodic riffs and rhythms are introduced one by one, building the groove bit-by-bit and layer-by-layer. The horn section then becomes prominent, introducing other riffs and main melodic themes.
POLITICAL VIEWS "Imagine Che Guevara and Bob Marley rolled into one person and you get a sense of Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti." —Herald Sun, February 2011 Kuti was outspoken; his songs spoke his inner thoughts. His rise in popularity throughout the 1970s signaled a change in the relation between music as an art form and Nigerian socio-political discourse.
Fela Kuti was a political giant in Africa from the 70s until his death. Kuti criticized the corruption of Nigerian government officials and the mistreatment of Nigerian citizens. He spoke of colonialism as the root of the socio-economic and political problems that plagued the African people. Corruption was one of the worst, if not the worst, political problem facing Africa in the 70s and Nigeria was among the most corrupt countries of the time. The Nigerian government was responsible for election rigging and coups that ultimately worsened poverty, economic inequality, unemployment, and political instability, which further promoted corruption and thuggery. Fela's protest songs covered themes inspired by the realities of corruption and socio-economic inequality in Africa. Fela Kuti's political statements could be heard throughout Africa.
ALBUMS • Fela Fela Fela (1969) • Fela's London Scene (1971) • Why Black Man Dey Suffer (1971) • Live! (1971) • Open & Close (1971) • Shakara (1972) • Roforofo Fight (1972) • Afrodisiac (1973) • Gentleman (1973) • Confusion (1975) • Expensive Shit (1975) • He Miss Road (1975) • Zombie (1976) • Stalemate (1977) • No Agreement (1977) • Sorrow Tears and Blood (1977) • Shuffering and Shmiling (1978) • Black President (1981) • Original Sufferhead (1981) • Unknown Soldier (1981) • Army Arrangement (1985) • Beasts of No Nation (1989) • Confusion Break Bones (1990) • The Best Best of Fela Kuti (1999) • The '69 Los Angeles Sessions (1969/2010)

BOB MARLEY

Robert Nesta Marley(6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican reggae artist who became an international musical and cultural icon,blending mostly reggae, ska, and rocksteady in his compositions. Starting out in 1963 with the group the Wailers, he forged a distinctive songwriting and vocal style that would later resonate with audiences worldwide. The Wailers would go on to release some of the earliest reggae records with producer Lee "Scratch" Perry.
After the Wailers disbanded in 1974,Marley pursued a solo career upon his relocation to England that culminated in the release of the album Exodus in 1977, which established his worldwide reputation and elevated his status as one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, with sales of more than 75 million records.Exodus stayed on the British album charts for 56 consecutive weeks. It included four UK hit singles: "Exodus", "Waiting in Vain", "Jamming", and "One Love". In 1978, he released the album Kaya, which included the hit singles "Is This Love" and "Satisfy My Soul". The greatest hits album, Legend, was released in 1984, three years after Marley died. It subsequently became the best-selling reggae album of all time.
Born 6 February 1945 on the farm of his maternal grandfather in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, to Norval Sinclair Marley (1885–1955) and Cedella Booker (1926–2008). Norval Marley was a white Jamaican originally from Sussex, England, whose family claimed Syrian Jewish origins.Norval claimed to have been a captain in the Royal Marines at the time of his marriage to Cedella Booker, an Afro-Jamaican then 18 years old, he was employed as a plantation overseer.Bob Marley's full name is Robert Nesta Marley, though some sources give his birth name as Nesta Robert Marley, with a story that when Marley was still a boy a Jamaican passport official reversed his first and middle names because Nesta sounded like a girl's name.
Marley was a Pan-Africanist, and believed in the unity of African people worldwide. His beliefs were rooted in his Rastafari religious beliefs.He was substantially inspired by Marcus Garvey, and had anti-imperialist and pan-Africanist themes in many of his songs, such as "Zimbabwe", "Exodus", "Survival", "Blackman Redemption", and "Redemption Song". "Redemption Song" draws influence from a speech given by Marcus Garvey in Nova Scotia, 1937.Marley held that independence of African countries from European domination was a victory for all those in the African diaspora. In the song "Africa Unite", he sings of a desire for all peoples of the African diaspora to come together and fight against "Babylon"; similarly, in the song "Zimbabwe", he marks the liberation of the whole continent of Africa, and evokes calls for unity between all Africans, both within and outside Africa.
Marley considered cannabis a healing herb, a "sacrament", and an "aid to medication"; he supported the legalisation of the drug.He thought that marijuana use was prevalent in the Bible, reading passages such as Psalms 104:14 as showing approval of its usage.
Studio albums • The Wailing Wailers (1965) • Soul Rebels (1970) • Soul Revolution (1971) • The Best of The Wailers (1971) • Catch a Fire (1973) • Burnin' (1973) • Natty Dread (1974) • Rastaman Vibration (1976) • Exodus (1977) • Kaya (1978) • Survival (1979) • Uprising (1980) • Confrontation (1983)

OZWALD BOATENG

British fashion designer of Ghanaian descent, known for his trademark twist on classic British tailoring and bespoke style. Mentored by Tommy Nutter, the success of the Paris show in 1994 enabled Boateng to open his boutique on Vigo Street, the south end of Savile Row, in 1995. Boateng's contemporary approach to menswear design helped to forge a new appreciation for Savile Row, and draw in a younger demographic. Boateng's moved fully into Savile Row in June 2002. In 2005, Boateng was honoured with a major 20-year retrospective event at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The exhibition recognised that he had by combining the highest standards of execution with a fresh, vibrant design philosophy, successfully captured the imagination of both the media and the public.
In 2008, Boateng's new flagship store and headquarters are launched at No. 30 Savile Row, on the corner of Savile Row and Clifford Street. The signage and interiors were co-designed with British-Ghanaian Architect David Adjaye. In 2003, Boateng launched an original concept in fragrances for women. Bespoke comprises two different vials of fragrance within an elongated, jewel-like bottle. Developed with the whole essence of "bespoke" in mind, women have the option of wearing each fragrance separately, or adopting the "bespoke" approach by layering and mixing the two synergistic fragrances together in differing proportions, to create an infinite variety of fragrances to suit their mood and personality.
In 2007, Boateng merged the corporate headquarters of his company with his redesigned flagship store on Savile Row. Today,[when?] in addition to a bespoke service, Boateng also produces two ready-to-wear collections a year, produced at the former Chester Barrie factory in Crewe, Cheshire.
LVMH President Bernard Arnault appointed Boateng Creative Director of Menswear at French Fashion house Givenchy. His first collection was shown in July 2004 in Paris, at Hotel de Ville. Boateng parted with Givenchy after the Spring 2007 collection. In 2004, Coutts approached Boateng to design a new Super-Premium credit card. The Coutts 'World Credit Card' appears in Boateng's trademark imperial purple, designed to communicate a new modernity and supreme elegance.
In 2004, Boateng designed new amenity kits for Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class. Critically claimed to be the most stylish first class kits available to travellers on any airline, the design increased pick rate fivefold. Boateng was commissioned by John Agyekum Kufuor, President of the Republic of Ghana, to design and orchestrate a show at the 9th Annual African Union summit in 2007. Held in Accra, it coincided with 200 years since the cessation of the transatlantic slave trade, and 50 years of independence for Ghana. In September 2018 British Airways PLC media centre confirmed that Ozwald Boateng OBE has been chosen as the designer for their new uniform, to be launched in 2019 as part of the organisation’s centenary celebrations. This appointment is a matter of controversy amongst customers of the airline and staff alike, who have come to believe that the new uniform would be designed in partnership with the iconic and historic British brand Burberry.
In 2008, Boateng was appointed to the REACH committee, as part of an independent panel to identify and recruit national role models who work to help raise aspirations of black boys. Boateng, alongside Kola Aluko in partnership with Atlantic Energy, founded Made in Africa Foundation, a UK non-profit organisation established to assist the development of the African continent, by providing first-stage funding for feasibility studies and business development of large-scale infrastructure projects based in the region.

NAS

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones (/nɑːˈsɪər/; born known by his stage name Nas, is an American rapper and entrepreneur. The son of Olu Dara, Nas has released eight consecutive platinum and multi-platinum albums and has sold over 30 million records worldwide. He is also an entrepreneur through his own record label; he serves as associate publisher of Mass Appeal magazine and is the owner of a Fila sneaker store. He is the founder of Mass Appeal Records.
His musical career began in 1991, as a featured artist on Main Source's "Live at the Barbeque". His debut album Illmatic (1994) received universal acclaim from both critics and the hip-hop community and is frequently ranked as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Nas's follow-up It Was Written debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, stayed on top for four consecutive weeks, went Double Platinum in two months, and made Nas internationally known. From 2001 to 2005, Nas was involved in a highly publicized feud with Jay-Z, popularized by the diss track "Ether". Nas signed to Def Jam in 2006. In 2010, he released Distant Relatives, a collaboration album with Damian Marley, donating all royalties to charities active in Africa. His 11th studio album, Life Is Good (2012) was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. MTV ranked him at #5 on their list of "The Greatest MCs of All Time". In 2012, The Source ranked him #2 on their list of the "Top 50 Lyricists of All Time". In 2013, Nas was ranked 4th on MTV's "Hottest MCs in the Game" list. About.com ranked him first on their list of the "50 Greatest MCs of All Time" in 2014, and a year later, Nas was featured on "The 10 Best Rappers of All Time" list by Billboard.
Discography Main article: Nas discography Studio albums • Illmatic (1994) • It Was Written (1996) • I Am... (1999) • Nastradamus (1999) • Stillmatic (2001) • God's Son (2002) • Street's Disciple (2004) • Hip Hop Is Dead (2006) • Untitled (2008) • Life Is Good (2012) • Nasir (2018) Collaboration albums • The Firm: The Album (with the Firm) (1997) • Distant Relatives (with Damian Marley) (2010)

LUPE FIASCO

Wasalu Muhammad Jaco (born February 16, 1982), better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor. He also performs as the frontman of rock band Japanese Cartoon under his real name. As an entrepreneur, Fiasco is the chief executive officer of 1st and 15th Entertainment. Raised in Chicago, Jaco developed an interest in hip hop after initially disliking the genre for its use of vulgarity and misogyny. After adopting the name Lupe Fiasco and recording songs in his father's basement, 19-year-old Fiasco joined a group called Da Pak. The group disbanded shortly after its inception, and Fiasco soon met rapper Jay-Z who helped him sign a record deal with Atlantic Records. In September 2006, Fiasco released his debut album Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor on the label, which received three Grammy nominations. He released his second album, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool, in December 2007. The lead single "Superstar" became his first top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. After a two-year delay, Lasers was released in March 2011 to mixed reviews; however, it became his first album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. His latest album, Drogas Wave, was released in September 2018.
In addition to music, Fiasco has pursued other business ventures, including fashion. He runs two clothing lines, Righteous Kung-Fu and Trilly & Truly; he has designed sneakers for Reebok. He has been involved with charitable activities, including the Summit on the Summit expedition, and in 2010 he recorded a benefit single for victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Fiasco is also noted for his anti-establishment views, which he has expressed in both interviews and his music.
When Fiasco was 18, he began creating music as a solo artist in his father's basement, even though his parents were not keen on having their son be a rapper. He scoured flea markets and secondhand stores, where he was able to find an old mixing board and a record player, stacks of vinyl records, and mic stands. At age 19, Fiasco joined a group called Da Pak, which was influenced by other California gangsta rappers such as Spice 1 and Ice Cube. Da Pak signed to Epic Records and released one single before splitting up. Fiasco later described the experience, saying "We had a song out about cocaine, guns, and women, and I would go to a record store and look at it and think, 'What are you doing?' I felt like a hypocrite. I was acting like this rapper who would never be judged, and I had to destroy that guy. Because what Lupe Fiasco says on this microphone is going to come back to Wasalu Jaco. When the music cuts off, you have to go home and live with what you say."
After turning away from gangsta rap, he developed a greater appreciation of the lyricism of Jay Z and Nas. His mother also gave him a record of the influential group The Watts Prophets, one of the first bands to use spoken words with music. Although he was without a group for the first time, Fiasco continued to record music. One of these first self-recorded tracks was "Could Have Been", which described the career options he could have pursued had he not begun rapping. He viewed the song as a turning point in his career that marked a drastic change in the subject matter of his music. "Could Have Been" was released as a demo tape and discovered by MTV despite the fact that no video was created for the song.
Fiasco later signed a solo deal with Arista Records, but was dropped when president and CEO L.A. Reid was fired. During his short tenure at Arista, he met Jay-Z, who was the president of Def Jam Recordings at the time. Jay-Z referred to him as a "breath of fresh air", saying that he reminded him of a younger version of himself. Jay-Z later helped him get a record deal at Atlantic Records. While Fiasco was working on his debut solo album, he released his mixtape series Fahrenheit 1/15 over the internet, which gained notoriety by word-of-mouth.
He remixed Kanye West's song, "Diamonds from Sierra Leone", renaming the new version as "Conflict Diamonds". With this remix, Fiasco wished to raise awareness of the conflict diamond business. This caught West's attention, and he asked Fiasco to perform on the song "Touch the Sky" for West's album Late Registration. The song, which sampled Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up", became a hit in the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number forty-two After this success, Fiasco's first single "Kick, Push" was released earlier than expected. The song was a love story about two people sharing a passion for skateboarding, a topic generally not discussed in hip-hop. Fiasco explained, "[Skateboarding culture is] just as deep as hip-hop. I'm not the greatest skateboarder, but I'm a damn good rapper, so I made a damn good skateboarding song.” The single, and its accompanying music video, helped Fiasco get attention in the hip-hop community, and was later nominated for two 2007 Grammy Awards. During this time, he recorded guest performances on Tha' Rayne's "Kiss Me" and "Didn't You Know" singles, and also on K Foxx's 2004 "This Life".

KID CUDI

Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi (born January 30, 1984), better known by his stage name Kid Cudi, is an American recording artist and actor from Cleveland, Ohio. Cudi first gained major recognition following the release of his first official full-length project, a mixtape titled A Kid Named Cudi (2008). The mixtape caught the attention of American rapper-producer Kanye West, who subsequently signed Cudi to his GOOD Music label imprint in late 2008. Cudi has since gone on to launch his own record label imprints, the now-dissolved Dream On and current independent label Wicked Awesome Records. As of 2018, Cudi has released six studio albums as a solo artist. In 2008 his debut single "Day 'n' Nite" led him to prominence, reaching the top five of the Billboard charts. Cudi's debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009) was later certified two-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[5] In 2010, he released Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, which was preceded by "Erase Me" and "Mr. Rager". Later that year Cudi formed a rock band, now known as WZRD, with his long-time collaborator Dot da Genius, releasing one eponymous debut album in early 2012. The album debuted at number one on the Top Rock Albums chart. In April 2013, Cudi released Indicud, which became his highest-charting album on multiple charts. In February 2014, Cudi unexpectedly released his fourth album, Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon, exclusively to digital retailers with no promotion. In 2015 Cudi released his rock album Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven to negative reception. In 2016 he returned to hip-hop with his sixth album Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' to generally positive reviews. Cudi later released a joint album with West under the eponymous name Kids See Ghosts. The album was met with critical acclaim.
Kid Cudi has sold over 5.2 million digital singles and has worked with numerous prominent artists in the music industry, including Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, David Guetta, MGMT, Shakira, Snoop Dogg and Michael Bolton among others. With his originality and creativity, as well as the emotion he conveys in his music, Cudi has amassed a large cult-like following among high school students, college students and stoners alike. In 2010, Cudi ventured into acting when he began starring in the HBO series How to Make It in America. Cudi has since appeared in several feature films, including Goodbye World, Need for Speed and Entourage. In addition, he has made appearances on television shows such as One Tree Hill, The Cleveland Show and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. In 2015, he was the bandleader on the IFC series, Comedy Bang! Bang!
Kid Cudi's atmospheric music has a progressive mixture of hip-hop, indie rock, EDM and psychedelia elements. Kid Cudi's musical style has been described as "an atmospheric take on melodic rap, with a dollop of charming, off-key singing". He has also been called "introspective, with the ability to lay his insecurities on record and expose his fallibility." In 2015, Kris Ex of Billboard, wrote "he's always been an emotional artist, dealing with expansive and nebulous feelings in acute and often destructive ways." Kid Cudi's sound is what inspired and led Kanye West to create his cathartic 808s & Heartbreak (2008), with West later stating that he and Cudi were "the originators of the style, kinda like what Alexander McQueen is to fashion…. Everything else is just Zara and H&M.” West also complimented Cudi by saying, "His writing is just so pure and natural and important." In March 2014, Cudi talked about wanting to provide guidance for young listeners with his music: "my mission statement since day one all I wanted to do was help kids not feel alone, and stop committing suicide."
In a 2013 article for The BoomBox, the author wrote: "On [A Kid Named Cudi], Cudi raps and croons over samples and interpolations of Gnarls Barkley, Paul Simon, Band of Horses, J Dilla, Nosaj Thing, N.E.R.D. and Outkast. He melded indie rock, electronica and dubstep seamlessly with hip-hop without pandering or reaching. Before Drake broke through with 2009’s So Far Gone, rapping and singing over Swedish indie poppers Lykke Li and Peter Bjorn and John, Cudi tweaked with multi-genre covers and seamless transitions between singing and rapping." In a 2009 interview with HipHopDX, when speaking on his debut album Cudi stated: "Well one thing I wanted to do was combine sounds that really bring out intense moods." Kid Cudi's music has also been described as trip hop. Furthermore, he is known for harmonizing and humming in his music, which helps formulate his signature sound. On 2011's WZRD and 2015's Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven, Cudi incorporated the use of screamed vocals, and can be heard yodeling on his 2016 album Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin'. Throughout the years he has also incorporated elements of psychedelia, R&B, electronica, synthpop and grunge, in his music.
Discography Main article: Kid Cudi discography Studio albums • Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009) • Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager (2010) • Indicud (2013) • Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon (2014) • Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven (2015) • Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' (2016) Collaborative albums • WZRD (with Dot da Genius as WZRD) (2012) • Cruel Summer (with GOOD Music) (2012) • KIDS SEE GHOSTS (with Kanye West as KIDS SEE GHOSTS)

J.COLE

Jermaine Lamarr Cole (born January 28, 1985), known professionally as J. Cole, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. Born on a military base in Germany but raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina,Cole initially gained recognition as a rapper following the release of his debut mixtape, The Come Up, in early 2007. Intent on further pursuing a solo career as a rapper, he went on to release two additional mixtapes, The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights after signing to Jay-Z's Roc Nation imprint in 2009. Cole released his debut studio album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, in 2011. It debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, and was soon certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His next two releases, 2013's Born Sinner and 2014's 2014 Forest Hills Drive, received mostly positive reviews from critics, and both were certified platinum in the United States. The latter earned him his first Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album. In December 2016, Cole released his fourth studio album 4 Your Eyez Only. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum in April 2017. His fifth album, KOD, was released in April 2018. The album debuted atop the Billboard 200, making it his fifth album to reach number one on the chart and has since been certified 2x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Self-taught on piano, Cole also acts as a producer alongside his hip-hop career, producing singles for artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Janet Jackson, as well as handling the majority of the production in his own projects. He has also developed other ventures, including Dreamville Records, as well as a non-profit organization called the Dreamville Foundation. In January 2015, Cole decided to house single mothers rent-free at his childhood home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. After becoming musically inspired by Canibus, Nas, Tupac and Eminem, Cole and his cousin worked on developing their basic understanding of rhyming and wordplay, as well as beginning to learn how to interpolate storytelling within their lyrics. By 14, Cole had various notebooks filled with song ideas, however, was unable to produce beats further than sampling. Cole's mother later purchased him the Roland TR-808 drum machine in order to further Cole's understanding of production. Over the next three years, he began posting songs on various internet forums under the moniker Blaza, but later switched to the name Therapist. Cole later expanded his production to create an entire CD's worth of instrumentals, and traveled to Roc the Mic Studio, hoping to play it for Jay Z while he was in recording sessions for American Gangster. Cole waited for over three hours, before being dismissed by Jay Z. Cole later used the CD as the backdrop for his debut mixtape, The Come Up.
Discography Logo used by J. Cole earlier in his career. Main articles: J. Cole discography and J. Cole production discography Studio albums • Cole World: The Sideline Story (2011) • Born Sinner (2013) • 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014) • 4 Your Eyez Only (2016) • KOD (2018)

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He has been branded as the "new king of hip hop" numerous times. Raised in Compton, California, Lamar embarked on his musical career as a teenager under the stage name K-Dot, releasing a mixtape that garnered local attention and led to his signing with indie record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). He began to gain recognition in 2010, after his first retail release, Overly Dedicated. The following year, he independently released his first studio album, Section.80, which included his debut single, "HiiiPoWeR". By that time, he had amassed a large online following and collaborated with several prominent hip hop artists, including The Game, Busta Rhymes, and Snoop Dogg. Lamar's major label debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, was released in 2012 by TDE, Aftermath, and Interscope Records to critical acclaim. It debuted at #2 on the US Billboard 200 and was later certified platinum by the RIAA. The record contained the top 40 singles "Swimming Pools (Drank)", "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe", and "Poetic Justice". His critically acclaimed third album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) incorporated elements of funk, soul, jazz, and spoken word. It debuted atop the charts in the US and the UK, and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 58th ceremony. In 2016, Lamar released Untitled Unmastered, a collection of unreleased demos that originated during the recording sessions for Butterfly. He released his fourth album Damn in 2017 to further acclaim; its lead single "Humble" topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Aside from his solo career, Lamar is also known as a member of the West Coast hip hop supergroup Black Hippy, alongside his TDE label-mates and fellow South Los Angeles–based rappers Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, and Schoolboy Q. Lamar has received many accolades over the course of his career, including twelve Grammy Awards. In early 2013, MTV named him the "Hottest MC in the Game", on their annual list. Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016. In 2018, Damn became the first non-classical and non-jazz album to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music. In 2004, at the age of 16, Lamar released his first full-length project, a mixtape titled Youngest Head Nigga in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year), under the pseudonym K-Dot. The mixtape was released under Konkrete Jungle Muzik and garnered local recognition for Lamar. The mixtape led to Lamar securing a recording contract with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), a newly founded indie record label, based in Carson, California. He began recording material with the label and subsequently released a 26-track mixtape two years later, titled Training Day (2005).
Throughout 2006 and 2007, Lamar would appear alongside other up-and-coming West Coast rappers, such as Jay Rock and Ya Boy, as opening acts for veteran West Coast rapper The Game. Under the moniker K-Dot, Lamar was also featured on The Game's songs "The Cypha" and "Cali Niggaz". In 2008, Lamar was prominently featured throughout the music video for Jay Rock's commercial debut single, "All My Life (In the Ghetto)", which features American hip hop superstar Lil Wayne and was backed by Warner Bros. Records. Lamar garnered further recognition after a video of a live performance of a Charles Hamilton show surfaced, in which Hamilton battled fellow rappers who were in the audience. Lamar did not hesitate and began rapping a verse over the instrumental to Miilkbone's "Keep It Real", which would later appear on a track titled "West Coast Wu-Tang". After receiving a co-sign from Lil Wayne, Lamar released his third mixtape in 2009, titled C4, which was heavily themed around Wayne's Tha Carter III LP. Soon after, Lamar decided to drop K-Dot as his stage name and go by his birth name. He subsequently released The Kendrick Lamar EP in late 2009. That same year, Lamar along with his TDE label-mates: Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and ScHoolboy Q formed Black Hippy, a hip hop supergroup.
Lamar has been branded as the "new king of hip hop" numerous times. Forbes said, on Lamar's placement as hip hop's "king", "Kendrick Lamar may or may not be the greatest rapper alive right now. He is certainly in the very short lists of artists in the conversation." Lamar frequently refers to himself as the "greatest rapper alive" and once called himself "The King of New York." On the topic of his music genre, Lamar has said: "You really can't categorize my music, it's human music." Lamar's projects are usually concept albums. Critics found Good Kid, M.A.A.D City heavily influenced by West Coast hip hop and 90s gangsta rap. His third studio album, To Pimp a Butterfly, incorporates elements of funk, jazz, soul and spoken word poetry. Called a "radio-friendly but overtly political rapper" by Pitchfork, Lamar has been a branded "master of storytelling” and his lyrics have been described as "katana-blade sharp" and his flow limber and dexterous. Lamar's writing usually includes references to racism, black empowerment and social injustice, being compared to a State of Union address by The Guardian. His writing has also been called "confessional" and controversial. The New York Times has called Lamar's musical style anti-flamboyant, interior and complex and labelled him as a technical rapper.
Discography Studio albums • Section.80 (2011) • Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012) • To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) • Damn (2017) Concert tours Headlining • Section.80 Tour (2011) • Good Kid, M.A.A.D City World Tour (2013) • Kunta Groove Sessions Tour (2015) • The Damn Tour

MOS DEF

Yasiin Bey(December 11, 1973), best known by his stage name Mos Def, is an American rapper, actor, and act He subsequently formed the duo Black Star, alongside fellow Brooklyn-based rapper Talib Kweli, and they released their eponymous debut album in 1998. He was featured on the roster of Rawkus Records and in 1999 released his solo debut, Black on Both Sides. His debut was followed by The New Danger (2004), True Magic (2006) and The Ecstatic (2009). The editors at About.com listed him as the 14th greatest em sitcoms, and theater. Since the early 2000s, Mos Def has appeared in films such as Something the Lord Made, Next Day Air, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 16 Blocks, Be Kind Rewind, The Italian Job, The Woodsman, Bamboozled and Brown Sugar, as well as for his portrayal of Brother Sam in the Showtime drama series Dexter. He is also known as the host of Def Poetry Jam, which aired on HBO between 2002 and 2007.
Mos Def began his music career in 1994, forming the group UTD (or Urban Thermo Dynamics) along with younger brother DCQ and younger sister Ces. In 2004, they released the album Manifest Destiny, their first and only release to date. The album features a compilation of previously unreleased and re-released tracks recorded during the original UTD run. In 1996, Mos Def emerged as a solo artist and worked with De La Soul and Da Bush Babees, before he released his own first single, "Universal Magnetic" in 1997.
In 2000, paired with Talib Kweli, Mos Def organized the Hip Hop for Respect project to speak out against police brutality. The project was created in response to the 1999 police shooting of Amadu Diallo, and sought to accumulate 41 artists to the roster, one to match each of the 41 gunshots fired on Diallo. Mos Def is well known for his left-wing political views. In 2000, Mos Def performed a benefit concert for death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal. In May 2005, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, R&B singer Martin Luther and City Councilman Charles Barron approached New York City Hall, demanding the withdrawal of the $1 million bounty for Assata Shakur.
In September 2005, Mos Def released the single "Katrina Clap", renamed "Dollar Day" for True Magic, (utilizing the instrumental for New Orleans rappers UTP's "Nolia Clap"). The song is a criticism of the Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina. On the night of the MTV Video Music Awards, Mos Def pulled up in front of Radio City Music Hall on a flatbed truck and began performing the "Katrina Clap" single in front of a crowd that quickly gathered around him. He was subsequently arrested despite having a public performance permit in his possession.
In October 2006, Mos Def appeared on 4Real, a documentary television series.Appearing in the episode "City of God", he and the 4Real crew traveled to City of God, a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to meet Brazilian MC MV Bill and learn about the crime and social problems of the community. On September 7, 2007, Mos Def appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher where he spoke about racism against African Americans, citing the government response to Hurricane Katrina, the Jena Six, and the murder conviction of Mumia Abu-Jamal. He appeared on Real Time again on March 27, 2009, and spoke about the risk of nucle The Source ranked him #23 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time. AllMusic called him one of the most promising rappers to emerge in the late 1990s, as well as one of hip-hop's brightest hopes entering the 21st century. Mos Def has influenced numerous hip hop artists throughout his career, including Lupe Fiasco, Jay Electronica, Kid Cudi, and Saigon. Kendrick Lamar has also mentioned Mos Def as a very early inspiration and someone he listened to "coming up" as a young rapper.
Mos Def discography Solo albums • Black on Both Sides (1999) • The New Danger (2004) • True Magic (2006) • The Ecstatic (2009) • Negus in Natural Person (TBA) Collaborative albums See also: Black Star discography • Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star (with Talib Kweli, as Black Star) (1998) • Manifest Destiny (with Ces and DCQ, as UTD) (2004)[89] • Dec 99th (with Ferrari Sheppard, as Dec 99th) (2016) • As Promised (with Mannie Fresh) (TBA)

TALIB KWELI

Talib Kweli Greene (born October 3, 1975) is an American hip hop recording artist, entrepreneur, and social activist. Kweli earned recognition early on through his collaboration with fellow Brooklyn rapper Mos Def, when they formed the group Black Star. Kweli's musical career continued with solo success including collaborations with producers and rappers Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Pharrell Williams. His most recent solo album is titled Radio Silence, released in 2017. In 2011, Kweli founded his own record label, Javotti Media.
Kweli made his debut in 1997, with featured five appearances on Doom, an album by Cincinnati, Ohio group Mood.[citation needed] In Cincinnati, Kweli met DJ Hi-Tek and the two collaborated on a few well received underground recordings as Reflection Eternal, including "Fortified Live" (1997), and "B-Boy Document 99/Chaos" (1999, featuring The High & Mighty). Shortly afterwards, upon returning to New York, he reconnected with Mos Def and formed Black Star. Kweli brought along Hi-Tek to produce their only album, 1998's Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. The album, released amidst a late '90s renaissance of conscious, Afrocentric hip hop, was hailed by critics and achieved modest mainstream success. Kweli and Hi-Tek continued their Reflection Eternal partnership on the 2000 album Train of Thought, which was likewise met with critical acclaim, but modest sales. The album was recorded at Electric Lady Studios.
An EP, Hip Hop for Respect, was organized by Mos Def and Kweli to speak out against police brutality, specifically, the case of Amadou Diallo. The project released one EP for Rawkus Entertainment. On February 4, 1999, Amadou Diallo was shot 41 times by four police officers while reaching into his pocket for his wallet. Diallo was unarmed. The project aimed to assemble 41 emcees to represent the 41 shots fired. Rappers featured on the EP include Owen Brown, Evil Dee, Kool G. Rap, Rah Digga, Sporty Thievz, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Common, Pharoahe Monch, Posdonus, Donte and Main Flow of Mood, Nine, Tiye Phoenix, Breezly Brewn' of the Juggaknots, Punchline, Imani Uzuri, El-P and Mr. Len of Company Flow, Jah-Born of Medina Green, John Forté, Mr. Khaliyl, Fre, J-Live, Rubix, Invincible, Wordsworth, A.L., Kofi Taha, Tame One, Jane Doe, Grafh, Shyheim, Channel Live, Wise Intelligent, Cappadonna, Crunch Lo, Rock, Nonchalant, Ras Kass, Dead Prez and Parrish Smith. Producers included Mr. Khaliyl, Organized Noize, and 88-Keys.
Discography Main articles: Talib Kweli discography and List of Talib Kweli songs Solo albums • Quality (2002) • The Beautiful Struggle (2004) • Eardrum (2007) • Gutter Rainbows (2011) • Prisoner of Conscious (2013) • Gravitas (2013) • Fuck the Money (2015) • Radio Silence (2017) Collaboration albums • Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (with Mos Def as Black Star) (1998) • Train of Thought (with Hi-Tek as Reflection Eternal) (2000) • Liberation (with Madlib) (2007) • Revolutions Per Minute (with Hi-Tek as Reflection Eternal) (2010) • Habits of the Heart (with Res as Idle Warship) (2011) • Indie 500 (with 9th Wonder) (2015) • The Seven (with Styles P) (2017)

PUBLIC ENEMY

An American hip hop group consisting of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, Khari Wynn, DJ Lord, Sammy Sam, and the S1W group. Formed in Long Island, New York, in 1986, they are known for their politically charged music and criticism of the American media, with an active interest in the frustrations and concerns of the African American community. Their first four albums during the late 1980s and early 1990s were all certified either gold or platinum and were, according to music critic Robert Hilburn in 1998, "the most acclaimed body of work ever by a hip hop act". Critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine called them "the most influential and radical band of their time." They were inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
The revolutionary influence of the band is seen throughout hip-hop and is recognized in society and politics. The band "rewrote the rules of hip-hop", changing the image, sound and message forever. Pro-black lyrics brought political and social themes to hardcore hip hop, with stirring ideas of racial equality, and retribution against police brutality, aimed at disenfranchised blacks, but appealing to all the poor and underrepresented. Before Public Enemy, hip hop music was seen as "throwaway entertainment", with trite sexist and homophobic lyrics. Public Enemy brought social relevance and strength to hip hop. They also brought black activist Louis Farrakhan to greater popularity, and they gave impetus to the Million Man March in 1995.
Band members Current members • Chuck D (Carlton D. Ridenhour) – MC • Flavor Flav (William Drayton) – hype man, occasionally lead vocals • Khari Wynn – guitars • DJ Lord (Lord Aswod) – DJ • Sammy Sam (Samuel H. Kim) - Rapper/MC, Music producer, hype man • Professor Griff (Richard Griffin) – Minister of Information • S1W ◦ Brother James (James Norman) ◦ Brother Roger (Roger Chillous) ◦ Brother Mike (Michael Williams) ◦ James Bomb (James Allen) ◦ The Interrogator (Shawn K. Carter) ◦ Big Casper (Tracy D. Walker) Former members • Terminator X (Norman Rogers) - DJ, Producer • Sister Souljah (Lisa Williamson) - Minister of Information (took over Richard Griffin's place when Griffin left group) • S1W ◦ Jacob "Big Jake" Shankle • The Bomb Squad ◦ Hank Shocklee (James Hank Boxley III) *original member ◦ Keith Shocklee (Keith Boxley) *original member ◦ Eric "Vietnam" Sadler *original member ◦ Gary G-Wiz (Gary Rinaldo) (took Eric Sadler's place when Sadler left group)
◦ Discography • 1987: Yo! Bum Rush the Show • 1988: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back • 1990: Fear of a Black Planet • 1991: Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black • 1994: Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age • 1998: He Got Game • 1999: There's a Poison Goin' On • 2002: Revolverlution • 2005: New Whirl Odor • 2006: Rebirth of a Nation (with Paris) • 2007: How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul? • 2012: Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear on No Stamp • 2012: The Evil Empire of Everything • 2015: Man Plans God Laughs • 2017: Nothing Is Quick in the Desert

WU TANG CLAN

An American hip hop group from Staten Island, New York City, originally composed of East Coast rappers RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa. Longtime collaborator Cappadonna became an official member in 2007. Wu-Tang Clan are regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop groups of all time. Wu-Tang Clan has released four gold and platinum studio albums. Their 1993 debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), is considered one of the greatest albums in hip hop history. The group has introduced and launched the careers of a number of affiliated artists and groups, collectively known as the Wu-Tang Killa Bees. In 2008, About ranked them "the No. 1 greatest hip hop group of all time". Kris Ex of Rolling Stone called Wu-Tang Clan "the best rap group ever". In 2004, NME hailed them as one of the most influential groups of the last ten years.
Studio albums • Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993) • Wu-Tang Forever (1997) • The W (2000) • Iron Flag (2001) • 8 Diagrams (2007) • A Better Tomorrow (2014) • Once Upon a Time in Shaolin (2015)

RUN DMC

An American hip hop group from Hollis, Queens, New York, founded in 1981 by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. Run-DMC is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture and one of the most famous hip-hop acts of the 1980s. Along with LL Cool J, The Beastie Boys, and Public Enemy, the group pioneered new school hip-hop music. Run-DMC was the first group in the genre to have a gold album (Run–D.M.C., 1984) and be nominated for a Grammy Award.[2] They were the first to earn a platinum record (King of Rock, 1985), the first to earn a multiplatinum certification (Raising Hell, 1986), the first to have their videos broadcast on MTV, and the first to appear on American Bandstand and the cover of Rolling Stone. Run-DMC was the only hip hop act to perform at Live Aid in 1985. The group was among the first to highlight the importance of the MC and DJ relationship. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked them number 48 in their list of the greatest musical artists of all time.[5] In 2007, Run-DMC was named "The Greatest Hip Hop Group of All Time" by MTV.com[6] and "Greatest Hip Hop Artist of All Time" by VH1. In 2009, Run-DMC became the second hip hop group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Discography Main article: Run-DMC discography • Run-D.M.C. (1984) • King of Rock (1985) • Raising Hell (1986) • Tougher Than Leather (1988) • Back from Hell (1990) • Down with the King (1993) • Crown Royal (2001)

FUGEES

The Fugees; formerly Tranzlator Crew was an American hip hop group who rose to fame in the early-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper/producer Pras Michel. Deriving their name from the term refugee, Jean and Michel are Haitian, while Hill is American. The group recorded two albums—one of which, The Score (1996), was a multi-Platinum and Grammy-winning success and contains their hit single "Killing Me Softly"—before disbanding in 1997. Hill and Jean each went on to successful solo recording careers; Michel focused on soundtrack recordings and acting, though he found commercial success with his song "Ghetto Supastar". In 2007, MTV ranked them the 9th greatest Hip-hop group of all time.
Since their inception, a central part of the Fugees endeavor was promoting the concept of black empowerment. The band's members, both collectively and individually, have used their song lyrics and musical influence, advocating for social change. The multi-platinum success of The Score enabled the Fugees to increase the impact of their activism. They organized and performed at hip-hop charity festivals like Harlem's Hoodshock where the proceeds were used to fund a non-profit youth summer camp in New Jersey. They also turned their recording studio, The Booga Basement, into a transitional house for young Haitian refugees immigrating to the United States. After the group split, Wyclef Jean co-founded and headed the Yele Haiti Foundation, a non-profit organization "focusing on emergency relief, employment, youth development and education, and tree planting and agriculture" in Haiti. Pras Michel starred in a documentary about homelessness in Los Angeles and remained outspoken about Haitian politics.Lauryn Hill continued recording and performing socially conscious music and went on to advocate for female empowerment especially within the music industry.
Discography Main article: Fugees discography • Blunted on Reality (1994) • The Score (1996) Compilations • Greatest Hits (2003)

KRS ONE

Lawrence "Kris" Parker (born August 20, 1965), better known by his stage names KRS-One, and Teacha, is an American rapper and occasional producer from The Bronx, New York City, New York.Parker left home at 16 to become an MC, coming to live at a homeless shelter in the South Bronx where he was dubbed "Krisna" by residents because of his interest in the Hare Krishna spirituality of some of the antipoverty workers.By the time he met youth counselor Scott Sterling, he was also writing graffiti as KRS-One (Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone). Together he and Sterling, a.k.a. DJ Scott La Rock, created Boogie Down Productions, releasing their debut album, Criminal Minded, in 1987. KRS-One rose to prominence as part of the hip hop music group Boogie Down Productions, which he formed with DJ Scott La Rock in the mid-1980s. Boogie Down Productions are sometimes considered one of the first rap groups to inspire both gangsta rap and conscious rap. They received numerous awards and critical acclaim in their early years. Following the release of the group's debut album, Criminal Minded, La Rock was shot and killed, but KRS-One continued the group, effectively as a solo project. He began releasing records under his own name in 1993. KRS-One is politically active, having started the Stop the Violence Movement, after the death of Scott La Rock.
Studio albums • Return of the Boom Bap (1993) • KRS-One (1995) • I Got Next (1997) • The Sneak Attack (2001) • Spiritual Minded (2002) • Kristyles (2003) • Keep Right (2004) • Life (2006) • Adventures in Emceein (2008) • Maximum Strength (2008) • The BDP Album (2012) • Now Hear This (2015) • The World Is Mind (2017)

SHENSEEA

A female Jamaican dancehall performer and deejay. Of Korean descent, her real name is Chinsea Lee and she grew up in St. Elizabeth. Shenseea used to be a promo girl until she was signed by Romeich entertainment. After remixing well known Vybz Kartel’s song "Loodi" and performing on a side stage at Reggae Sumfest in 2015, she took the main stage in 2017 as her notoriety grew she toured internationally. She received corporate sponsorship deals from telecom firm Flow and Pepsi-Cola Jamaica sponsorship as a representative of their ginger flavoured soda in Jamaica. At the 2016 Youth View Awards she won Young Hot and Hype Artiste; Break Out Celebrity of 2016, and Collaboration of The Year for her song "Loodi" with Vybz Kartel which has been her most successful song to date. In additional to dancehall she has shown skills freestyling as a rapper. She teamed up with Sean Paul for the 2017 single "Rolling" and on a leg of his 2017 European tour. She has also worked with Tommy Lee. She was featured on Christina Aguilera's 2018 album Liberation, in the song "Right Moves".

QUEEN IFRICA

Ventrice Morgan, whose stage name is Queen Ifrica, is a reggae singer and disc jockey from the hills above Montego Bay, Jamaica. She is the daughter of ska music legend Derrick Morgan but was raised by her mother and stepfather. A Rasta by faith, she is known for her work in the community and for writing songs about deeply personal subject matter in songs such as "Below the Waist" and "Daddy". Queen Ifrica, began her career in 1995 after shining at a local talent contest in her hometown of Montego Bay, Jamaica. This eye-opening experience eventually led to major stage performances in her country including the esteemed Reggae Sumfest as well as a union with Tony Rebel’s Flames Crew in 1998. With roots firmly secured in the Rastafarian faith, she blossomed as one of the top cultural artists in reggae, swarming the airwaves with hits like “Randy”, “Jus My Brethren”, “Below the Waist” and “Daddy” and stealing the stages at major festivals and stage shows around the world (Summer Jam in Germany, Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Bob Marley Festival, Reggae on the River in California and Reggae Sundance Festival in Holland). As an active community leader, Ifrica is involved in several outreach programs for children in Jamaica’s inner-city and charity shows where proceeds are donated to the cause. She signed a record deal with VP Records, leading to the release of her first album, Montego Bay, in July 2009. Her second album, Climb, was released in March 2017, and topped the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.

LADY G

Born 7 May 1968 as Janice Fyffe, is a female dancehall and reggae deejay. She is best known for her song "Man a Bad Man" from the film Third World Cop. She is known all over the world and has a firm fan base. Lady G other songs include "Nuff Respect", "Round Table Talk" (with her mentor Papa San), "Certain Friends" and "Breeze Off". She records on the label Greensleeves. Lady G has performed at Europe's biggest reggae festival, Summerjam, in 2001. Lady G has recently toured the United States with Buju Banton.

MAVADO

David Constantine Brooks (born 30 November 1981), better known by his stage name Mavado, is a Jamaican deejay, singer and songwriter, who is signed to We the Best Music Group and formerly to Cash Money Records. Brooks was raised in Kingston, Jamaica's Cassava Piece community.He cites the music of Bounty Killer as an early influence. The boyhood idol became his mentor when at the age of 15, Bounty took him under his wing to show him the ropes of the music industry and introduced him to his manager, dancehall music business legend Julian Jones-Griffith, who would go on to manage Mavado's illustrious career. He decided to name himself "Mavado" after the Swiss watch company Movado, with his manager altering the spelling.
Mavado's first single, "Real McKoy", was released in 2004 and was his breakthrough single. He further established himself with the follow-up record "Weh Dem a Do", on the Red Bull & Guinness riddim, that had the distinction of hitting Billboard. After a string of hits in 2005 and 2006, Mavado released the album Gangsta for Life: The Symphony of David Brooks 10 July 2007 on VP Records. "Weh Dem A Do" and "Dying", two singles from the album, were featured heavily on R&B/hip-hop radio in the US and around the world.
That same year brought Mavado off-stage controversy, as he was unlawfully detained by Jamaican police. While in police custody, the singer claims he was thrown through a glass window, slicing three fingers in the process, which were sewn up at a local hospital. Police claimed Mavado escaped from custody, even though they let him walk out of the police station and go to the hospital with his manager. He was later arrested and charged with shooting with intent and illegal possession of firearm in relation to an event occurring 27 July 2007 He was later freed of all charges.
In March 2008, Mavado was featured performing a rendition of his song "Real McKoy" for Grand Theft Auto IV Trailer #4 "Everyone's a Rat". "Real McKoy", along with "Last Night" (both from the album Gangsta for Life), were also featured in the game on the radio station "Massive B Radio". Mavado was also featured on the G-Unit track 'Let It Go' along with Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks for the album: T.O.S: Terminate on Sight in 2008. He was the only non G-Unit feature on the album. In 2008 Mavado was given the prestigious UK MOBO Award for Best Reggae Act. In April 2010, Mavado starred as a gangster in Drake's song Find Your Love for Drake's album Thank Me Later He has also collaborated with Busta Rhymes, Wyclef, Ludacris, Birdman, Fabolous, Ace Hood, Akon, 50 Cent's G-Unit, Snoop Dogg and JAY Z.
Mavado formed his own label, Mansion Records, in 2011, which debuted with the single "Delilah" that was given mainstream US radio rotation. Along with Bounty Killer, he has cited 2Pac as a childhood idol, comparing the late rapper's life to his own.In 2011, Mavado recorded with U.K. grime artist Chipmunk on the track "Every Gyal". On 1 September 2011, Mavado appeared on the Angie Martinez show on New York's Hot 97 radio station to announce that he had signed a deal with DJ Khaled's record label We the Best Music Group. Mavado released three singles "Emergency" featuring Ace Hood, Soulja girl and "Survivor" featuring Akon on We the Best Music Group.
In May 2012 he was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and malicious destruction of property after a driving incident, and was fined a total of $100,000. An appeal against the sentence was unsuccessful. In 2012, it was announced that Mavado will feature in the upcoming "Shottas 2" a sequel to the Shottas movie, which starred Ky-Mani Marley and Spragga Benz. In 2016, Mavado's song "Progress" on The Mineral Boss Records Produced "Money Boss Riddim" was featured in DJ Khaled's "Major Key" album a 14 track album. The album was nominated for the 2017 Grammy Awards on the "best rap" album category. In 2017, Mavado, Alkaline and Jahmiel formed a camp known as MVP, the biggest and hottest thing in Jamaica in the recent years. In 2018, Mavado collaborated with Sean Paul for an inspirational song called "I'm Sanctify".
Albums • 2007: Gangsta for Life: The Symphony of David Brooks • 2009: Mr. Brooks...A Better Tomorrow Singles • "Weh Dem Ah Do" (2007) • "Real McKoy" (2007) • "Lost Dem" (2011) • "Do Road" (2011) • "Million Dollar Man" (2013) • "Tie Yuh" (2014) • "Ben Ova" (2014) • "My Own" (2014) • "Ghetto Bible" (2015) • "My League" (2015) • "Big League" (2016) • "Progress" (2016) • "Mama" (2017) • "Red Rose" (2017) • "Dress to Impress" (2018) • "Enemies" (2018) • "I'm Sanctify" - ft. Sean Paul (2018) • "Father God" (2018)

SPICE

Grace Latoya Hamilton (born 6 August 1982), known professionally as Spice, is a Jamaican dancehall recording artist, singer and songwriter. Beginning her career in the early 2000's, she had her first major success with the controversial single "Romping Shop" with Vybz Kartel in 2009. Her debut EP So Mi Like It, which included the hit single of the same name, was released in 2014 through VP Records. In 2018, Spice joined the cast of VH1's reality television series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta for the seventh season. Later that year, her mixtape Captured was released and debuted at number one on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.
In late 2008, Spice collaborated with fellow dancehall artist Vybz Kartel on the single "Romping Shop", which samples "Miss Independent" by Ne-Yo. The song quickly achieved international recognition, debuting on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and receiving immense rotation on mainstream urban stations, including HOT 97 and Power 105.1. Shortly after its release, the song was banned by the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation due to its explicit lyrical content. "Romping Shop" was ranked at number 9 on both Pitchfork's list of the "50 Best Dancehall Songs of All Time" and Billboard's "12 Best Dancehall & Reggaeton Choruses of the 21st Century".
In 2009, Spice received the Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME) Award for "Female Deejay of the Year". At the Youth View Awards in Jamaica, she won three awards: "Best Female Performer", "Favourite Local Female Artiste" and "Young, Hot & Hype Female". In July 2009, she signed to VP Records for a multi-album deal She again received the "Female Deejay of the Year" award at the 2010 EME Awards. Her single "Slim vs. Fluffy" featuring dancehall artist Pamputtae peaked at number 1 on the Canadian Dancehall/Reggae Singles charts. That year she also released her single "Jim Screechie". In 2011, Spice was featured on Gappy Ranks's "Whatever We Like", released as a bonus track on his album Thanks & Praise. She later released a remix for her song "Fun" featuring rapper Missy Elliott and collaborated with Mýa on the single "Take Him Out" from Mýa's sixth album K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple). Spice also performed the song with Mýa at Reggae Sumfest that year.
In October 2013, Spice released her single "So Mi Like It", which garnered worldwide recognition despite not entering any official charts. The song's accompanying music video has received over 80 million views on YouTube, becoming the most viewed music video by a Jamaican female artist. The song was included in the Ragga Ragga Ragga 2014 compilation album, alongside her singles "Go Go" and "All The Way" with Elephant Man. A remix of "So Mi Like It" featuring rapper Busta Rhymes was later released on his mixtape Catastrophic 2.
Spice starred as Candy in her first theatrical feature film "Destiny", which was released on April 2, 2014. She also recorded the song "No Push Over" for the film's soundtrack. Her debut extended play So Mi Like It, named after the single of the same name, was released through VP Records on November 28, 2014. It debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart. The EP features five songs, including her hits "So Mi Like It" and "Conjugal Visit" featuring Vybz Kartel. The music video for "Conjugal Visit" garnered over 2 million views on WorldStarHipHop within one day. The same month, she was featured along with soca artist Bunji Garlin on rapper ASAP Ferg's song "Jolly" from his mixtape Ferg Forever. In May 2015, Spice released her single "Needle Eye", which serves as a tribute to Shabba Ranks's 1987 single of the same name. She then received the award for "Best Female Dancehall Artist" at the 34th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA).

Okayafrica DAVIDO WIZKID SARKODIE CASSPER NYOVEST CANIBUS BOB MARLEY FELA KUTI CHRONIXX FUSE ODG YEMI ALADE AMARA LANEGRA REGGIE ROCKSTONE STORMZY Ozwald Boateng NAS LUPE FIASCO KID CUDI J. COLE KENDRICK LAMAR MOS DEF TALIB KWELI PUBLIC ENEMY WU TANG CLAN RUN DMC FUGEES KRS ONE