Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, known to one and all as Nas, is one of hip-hop’s best-known, most mercurial, and lyrically blessed figures ever to touch the microphone. Since his heart-stopping debut turn on Main Source’s “Live at the Barbeque”, Nas has delivered countless beautifully structured, thought-provoking, keenly observed verses.
Christopher George Latore Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, Big Poppa, Biggie, and Big, is one of the legends. As a drug slinger, he eventually got into music, namely flowing over beats as a hard, yet witty lyricist. The Notorious B.I.G. was the worthy adversary of the great 2Pac, birthing one the most famous rivalries in all of hip hop history. Let them Rest In Peace.
Shawn “JAY Z” Carter is one of the most successful rappers ever to pick up a microphone. He has sold over 50 million records, received ten Grammys, and has more number one albums than any solo artist ever. All of this would be meaningless, though, if it weren’t for his artistry. “Jay-Hova”’s rhymes, flow, trend-setting styles, ear for beats, and ability to craft songs ranging from heartbreakers to party anthems ensures that all of the accolades are not misplaced.
Born and raised in Harlem, NY, A$AP Rocky is no stranger to the cliché rap lifestyle, popularized by fellow Harlem Patriarchs from Big L and Kool Moe Dee to Mase and Cam'ron. However, Rocky’s entrenching yet melodic rap style has drawn more immediate comparisons to fellow Harlemite Max B.
Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott (born January 20, 1995), better known by his stage name Joey Badass (stylized as Joey Bada$$), is an independent American rapper from Brooklyn, New York. He is a member of the hip hop collective Pro Era, with whom he has released two mixtapes.
llmatic is the debut album by Nas, released on April 19, 1994 through Columbia Records. Other MCs were tougher and better-armed, but no one verbally photographed the dark menace of life on the streets quite like this 20-year-old from New York’s Queensbridge projects. With lines like I never sleep, ‘cause sleep is the cousin of death, Nas showed more poetic style on this record than any MC since Rakim.
The Modern Era of Rap, in an academic but important sense, begins here. Ready To Die shares credit with Enter The Wu-Tang and Illmatic for breaking with the ambient positivity of hip-hop’s Golden Age. Several years hence, though, it’s the one that presents the most compelling case for that break, the most logical transition from a socially-conscious, communitarian culture to the gritty urban nihilism that still defines the Rap Genius brand of rap.
Hov’s first album! As Jay said in a 1997 interview, "Basically we named the album Reasonable Doubt because with anything you do in life, people are going judge you. Whether it be through interviews or radio. So the album is basically on trial … this being my first album."
A$AP Rocky’s critically acclaimed mixtape, LiveLoveA$AP, catapulted the young Harlem rapper into Hip Hop stardom. The tape features the hit singles, “Peso” and “Purple Swag: Chapter 2”.
B4.DA.$$, pronounced “Before da Money,” is the debut studio album by Joey Bada$$, released on January 20, 2015 – his 20th birthday – through Pro Era LLC and Cinematic Music Group.
