The 20 Greatest Black Rapper Artists of All Time

Let’s start with the old-school hip-hop titans that paved the way for the new-school rappers to do their thing. Following is a list of rap’s “godfathers,” all of whom boast that they are guaranteed a spot at the very top.

As we can see now, the popularity of rap music continues to rise across the globe.

Key Takeaways

• This list honors the most influential and groundbreaking Black rappers of all time.
• The musicians on the list range from the early days of hip-hop to the present.
• According to the ranking, Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-Z are among the top three greatest Black rappers of all time.
• Other legendary rappers on the list include Nas, Rakim, and KRS-One.
• The list recognizes female Black rappers such as Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, and Queen Latifah.
• The list acknowledges the influence of regional genres, such as Outkast’s Dirty South sound and Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s West Coast G-funk.
• With artists like Kendrick Lamar and Public Enemy on the list, the list emphasizes the significance of storytelling and social criticism in Black rap.
• The list exemplifies the diversity of Black rap, with musicians like Tyler, the Creator and Childish Gambino defying hip-hop conventions.
• The list recognizes the impact of Black rap on other genres such as pop, rock, and techno music.
• The list serves as a reminder of Black art and culture’s ability to inspire change and affect the world in which we live.

The top 20 black rap artists of all time are listed below:

1.Canibus

1 Canibus	Information
Full Name	Germaine Williams
Birthdate	December 9, 1974
Birthplace	Kingston, Jamaica
Nationality	Jamaican-American
Occupation	Rapper, actor
Genres	East Coast hip hop, hardcore hip hop
Years Active	1993–present
Labels	RBCUniversalArchives Music, Banygrande, GladiatorWar Lab, RBC Records
Notable Achievements	Ranked 32nd on About.com’s “Top 50 MCs of Our Time” list
Collaborations	Member of Four Horsemen, Refugee Camp All-Stars, Sharpshooterz, Cloak N Dagga, the Undergods
Education	Studied computer science at DeKalb College, Atlanta
Military Service	Served in the United States Army
Discography	Released 13 solo studio albums

Canibus is the stage name of Jamaican-American rapper and actress Germaine Williams. Canibus started his mic career in the early ’90s, as the rap music trend took off among young people.

Canibus has made a name for itself through high-profile collaborations with established artists like Slick Rick, The Firm, and Common.

2. Ice Cube

Ice Cube	Information
Full Name	Ice Cube
Born	June 15, 1969
Birthplace	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations	Rapper, songwriter, actor, filmmaker
Years Active	1986–present
Organization(s)	Cube Vision, Lench Mob Records
Spouse	Kimberly Woodruff (m. 1992)
Children	4, including O’Shea Jr.
Relatives	Del tha Funky Homosapien (cousin), Kam (cousin)
Genres	Hip hop, gangsta rap, political hip hop
Labels	Interscope, Lench Mob, Priority, EMI
Notable Contributions	– Contributed lyrics on N.W.A’s album “Straight Outta Compton”

O’Shea Jackson Sr. (born June 15, 1969), better known by the stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. Ice Cube is one of the founding artists of gangsta rap, he initially received recognition as the main songwriter and member of the popular hip hop group C.I.A. and N.W.A, where the latter has become wildly popular for pushing the boundaries of lyrical content in mainstream popular music, as well as visual effects in music videos.

3. Rick Ross

Rick Ross	Information
Full Name	Rick Ross
Birthdate	January 28, 1976
Birthplace	Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.
Other Names	Rozay, The Boss, Renzel, Teflon Da Don
Occupations	Rapper, record executive, songwriter
Years Active	2000–present
Children	4
Origin	Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Labels	Epic, Maybach Music, Def Jam, and more
Member of	Triple C’s
Debut Single	“Hustlin'”
Albums	Port of Miami, Trilla, Deeper Than Rap, Teflon Don, God Forgives, I Don’t, Mastermind, Black Market, Rather You Than Me, Port of Miami 2, Richer Than I Ever Been
Maybach Music Group	Founded by Rick Ross
Notable Signings	Meek Mill, Wale, French Montana, and more
Education	Attended Albany State University
Previous Career	Former correctional officer

An American rapper by the name of Rick Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, was born on January 28, 1976. The rapper adopted the name of a notorious “highway” drug dealer with whom he had no affiliation (Ricky Ross sued him for $10 million for appropriating his name; for more on this controversy, see Ricky Ross’s lawsuit).

In addition to releasing his studio albums Deeper Than Rap and Don Teflon on his own Maybach Music Group label, Ross also formed the Maybach Music Group. After launching the Maybach Music Group label in 2012, he rose to prominence by releasing his album Deeper Than Rap and was named MTV’s Hottest MC in Games that same year.

4. Gucci Mane

Gucci Mane	Information
Full Name	Gucci Mane
Born	Radric Delantic Davis
Birthdate	February 12, 1980
Birthplace	Bessemer, Alabama, U.S.
Other Names	Guwop, Mr. Zone 6, Wizop, East Atlanta Santa, LaFlare
Occupations	Rapper, record executive, songwriter
Years Active	2001–present
Spouse	Keyshia Ka’Oir
Children	3
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop, trap
Labels	1017 Records, Atlantic, RBC, Asylum, Warner Bros., Tommy Boy, Big Cat
Notable Albums	– Trap House
Influences	– Pioneer of trap music
Musical Collaborations	The Weeknd, Drake, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Selena Gomez, Mariah Carey, Usher, Bruno Mars, Marilyn Manson

Radric Delantic Davis is better known for his stage moniker Gucci Mane. Trap House (2005), Hard to Kill (2007), Trap-A-Thon (2007), and Back to the Trap House (2007) were the four albums released by Gucci Mane between 2005 and 2007. In addition, his CD “The Appeal: Georgia’s Most Wanted” topped the charts in 2010.

Gucci Mane’s first number-one record on the Billboard Hot 100 was a collaboration with Rae Sremmurd in 2016 called “Black Beatles.” He also started the Billboard Hot 100 and runs it now. President/C.E.O. of 1017 Discs.

If you’re a fan of Gucci Mane, you may want to check out Hood MWR’s list of the top 21 famous rappers from Atlanta. This list includes other prominent Atlanta-based rappers such as Future, T.I., and OutKast, and provides some background on their career accomplishments and contributions to hip hop culture.

5. Treach

Treach	Information
Full Name	Treach
Birthdate	December 2, 1970 (age 52)
Birthplace	East Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation	Rapper, Actor
Known For	Lead rapper of the hip hop group Naughty by Nature
Group Affiliation	Naughty by Nature, Rottin Razkals (affiliated group)
Collaborations	Worked with Vin Rock and DJ Kay Gee in Naughty by Nature
Notable Songs	“O.P.P.”, “Ghetto Bastard”
Relationships	Older brother of rapper Diesel
Marriages	Married to Sandra Denton (Pepa) from 1999 to 2001, and to Cicely Evans since September 8, 2019
Children	One daughter (Egypt Jahnari Criss) and two children with Cicely Evans
Legal Incidents	Arrested in 2014 for reckless driving, speeding, and driving with a suspended license; also had warrants for child support and motor vehicle violations

Treach’s birthplace is specified as East Orange City in New Jersey. Treach is 669th on the list of Top Rap Artists by popularity and 22424th overall. Approximately 205,052,174 people called the United States home in 1970.

6. Freddie Gibbs

Freddie Gibbs	Information
Full Name	Fredrick Jamel Tipton
Stage Name	Freddie Gibbs
Date of Birth	June 14, 1982
Age	41
Birthplace	Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop, gangsta rap
Occupation(s)	Rapper, songwriter
Years Active	2004–present
Labels	Warner Records, ESGN, Str8 Slammin’, CTE World, Decon, Interscope, No Tamin
Member of	MadGibbs, P.O.C.
Children	2

Gary City, Indiana, U.S.A. native Freddie Gibbs is a multi-talented rapper best known for his albums on urban life in Gary, Indiana, such as ESGN 2013, which reached #17 on the U.S. Rap chart. His underground mixtape releases and honest raps about surviving on the streets won him a devoted following.

7. Q-Tip

Q Tip	Information
Full Name	Kamaal Ibn John Fareed
Birthdate	April 10, 1970
Birthplace	Harlem, New York City, U.S.
Other Names	The Abstract, Tip, The Lone Ranger, The Last Zulu, Qualiall
Education	Murry Bergtraum High School
Occupations	Rapper, record producer, singer, DJ
Years Active	1985–present
Relatives	Consequence (cousin)
Genres	Hip hop, jazz rap, progressive soul
Labels	Jive, Arista, Universal Motown, Battery, GOOD, Def Jam, Epic
Formerly of	A Tribe Called Quest, Native Tongues, Soulquarians, The Ummah

Rapper, record producer, performer, actor, and D.J. Q-Tip (born Jonathan William Davis on April 10, 1970) hails from the United States. Q-Tip is widely regarded as a pioneer in hip hop’s history. He collaborated with the duo The Chemical Brothers on the dance track “plating,” which was nominated for a Grammy in 2006.

Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest headlines on The Castle Stage during Day 3 of Bestival at Lulworth Castle on September 9, 2017 in Wareham, England

If you’re a fan of Q-Tip, you may also want to check out the 25 Dopest Rappers of The 90s article. This article showcases some of the most influential rappers of the decade, including Q-Tip. From his work with A Tribe Called Quest to his successful solo career, Q-Tip continues to be a respected figure within the hip-hop community.

8. Cam’ron

Cam ron	Information
Full Name	Cam’ron (Cameron Ezike Giles)
Also known as	Killa Cam
Born	February 4, 1976 (age 47)
Birthplace	East Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop, East Coast hip hop, gangsta rap
Occupation(s)	Rapper, songwriter, record producer, actor, record executive, entrepreneur
Years Active	1993–present
Labels	Killa, Cinematic, Diplomat, Virgin, E1, Asylum, Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam, Epic, Untertainment, Sony
Member of	The Diplomats, Children of the Corn, U.N.
Notable Albums	Confessions of Fire, S.D.E. (Sports Drugs & Entertainment), Come Home with Me, Purple Haze, Killa Season, Crime Pays
Notable Singles	“Oh Boy”, “Hey Ma”, “Dipset Anthem”, “Killa Cam”, “Wet Wipes”, “Get It in Ohio”, “Cookin Up”

Cam’ron’s birth date is February 4, 1976, and he was born in New York City, New York (U.S.A.). He was a member of the rap group Children of the Corn before he became renowned. Two of his albums, Confessions of Fire and S.D.E., were released in 1998 and 2000, respectively. In 2004, Purple Haze was released to widespread praise and economic success, eventually certified gold by the RIAA.

9. AZ

AZ	Information
Full Name	Anthony Cruz
Stage Name	AZ
Birthdate	March 9, 1972
Birthplace	New York City, U.S.
Other Names	AZ the Visualiza, Sosa, The Rap James Bond
Genres	East Coast hip hop, mafioso rap
Occupation(s)	Rapper, songwriter
Years Active	1993–present
Labels	Quiet Money, Real Talk, Koch, Noo Trybe, Virgin, EMI, 300 Entertainment
Notable Collaborations	Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega, Nature, Ghostface Killah
Accolades	About.com’s “Most Underrated Rapper of All Time”
Notable Albums	Doe or Die, Pieces of a Man, Aziatic, The Format, Doe or Die II
Popular Singles	“Sugar Hill”, “Problems”, “The Essence”
Notable Features	Featured on Nas’s album Illmatic
Notable Achievements	Grammy Award nomination for “The Essence”
Background Information	African-American and Afro-Dominican heritage
Education	Eli Whitney High School (attended with Jay-Z)

Az’s birthday is March 9. Thus he is 47 years old. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. In 1995, with his debut solo album “Doe or die,” he hit the top spot on Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart in the United States. AZ made his debut on Nas’s groundbreaking 1994 album Illmatic when he contributed to the tracks “Life’s a Bitch” and “The Genesis.”

In 2003, AZ had a single from his album “The Essence” nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the Grammys. Nas was a featured artist on the track.

Rapper Danny Brown performs at the Lost Lake Music Festival on October 22, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona.

If you’re a fan of AZ, don’t miss out on the list of the 25 Dopest Rappers of The 90s . Discover more talented hip-hop artists of the era, such as Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, and Outkast.

10. Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg	Information
Full Name	Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.
Birthdate	October 20, 1971 (age 51)
Birthplace	Long Beach, California, U.S.
Other Names	Snoop Doggy Dogg, Snoop Lion, Bigg Snoop Dogg, Dogg Father, Snoop Rock, DJ Snoopadelic, Snoopzilla, FaZe Snoop
Occupations	Rapper, actor
Years Active	1992–present
Title	Founder of Doggystyle Records, Owner of Death Row Records, Executive Creative Consultant at Def Jam Recordings
Spouse	Shante Taylor (married in 1997)
Children	4
Relatives	Brandy Norwood (cousin), Ray J (cousin), Sasha Banks (cousin), Daz Dillinger (cousin), Nate Dogg (cousin), RBX (cousin)
Awards	American Music Award, Primetime Emmy Award, 17 Grammy Award nominations
Genres	Hip hop, West Coast hip hop, G-funk, gangsta rap
Labels	Death Row, Doggystyle, EMPIRE, Def Jam, RCA Inspiration, E1, i am OTHER, Columbia, RCA, MCA, Priority, Geffen, Capitol, EMI, Star Trak, No Limit, Interscope
Member of	7 Days of Funk, Mt. Westmore, QDT, Tha Eastsidaz
Formerly of	213

Long Beach, California, United States, is the place of origin for Snoop Dogg, the whose given name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. While being a gifted artist in his own right, Snoop Dogg also possesses a strong business, production, and other related skills, making him a formidable competitor in the rap industry. Snoop Dogg has amassed enough trophies to fund the Construction of a museum to house all of his achievements.

Music by Snoop Dogg, Rhythm & Ganysta, No Limit, Tha Doggfather, and more. Snoop Dogg has reaped several benefits from all of these. Furthermore, working with other well-known artists contributes to the success of his songs.

11. Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill	Information
Full Name	Lauryn Noelle Hill
Birth Name	Lauryn Noelle Hill
Also known as	Ms. Lauryn Hill, L. Boogie
Born	May 26, 1975
Birthplace	East Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop, soul, reggae
Occupation(s)	Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actress
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar
Years Active	1988–present
Labels	Columbia, Island, Ruffhouse
Member of	Fugees
Partner	Rohan Marley
Children	6, including Selah Marley
Breakthrough Album	The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
Billboard Achievements	Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 with “Doo Wop (That Thing)”
Grammy Awards	Eight Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year
Record Sales	One of the best-selling albums of all time; Diamond certification by RIAA
Contributions	Popularized melodic rapping; Introduced hip hop and neo soul to popular music
Influence and Recognition	Regarded as one of the greatest rappers and most influential musicians of her generation
Film and Acting Career	Starred in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit; Appeared in other films and TV shows
Humanitarian Work	Received the NAACP’s President’s Award; Inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame

In the United States, Lauryn Hill entered this world on May 26, 1975, in East Orange. When she first started performing, she often sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting events.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” Lauryn Hill’s debut album, has sold over 10 million copies in the United States, earning it a diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In doing so, the singer of “Everything Is Everything” made history as the first female rapper to top the charts with a single song.

To understand the impact Lauryn Hill had on the rap industry and music industry as a whole, it’s important to take a look at the East Coast rappers who came before her. With her unique style and powerful voice, Hill helped redefine what it meant to be a female rapper in the industry.

12. Drake

Drake	Information
Full Name	Aubrey Drake Graham
Birthdate	October 24, 1986
Birthplace	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Other Names	Champagne Papi, Drizzy, 6 God
Citizenship	Canadian, American
Occupations	Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Businessman
Years Active	2001–present
Children	1
Relatives	Larry Graham (uncle), Teenie Hodges (uncle)
Musical Career Genres	Hip hop, R&B, Pop Rap, Pop, Trap
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	OVO Sound, Republic, Young Money, Cash Money
Musical Artist	Drake
Introduction	Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter known for popularizing singing in hip hop
Acting Career	Starred as Jimmy Brooks in the TV series “Degrassi: The Next Generation”
Albums	Critical successes: Thank Me Later, Take Care, Nothing Was the Same, Views, Scorpion
Commercial Success	Sold over 170 million records worldwide
Entrepreneurship	Founder of OVO Sound record label, part owner of A.C. Milan, collaborations with brands
Awards and Achievements	Multiple Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, and more
Cultural Impact	Influential figure in contemporary popular music, significant influence on hip hop
Philanthropy	Involved in charitable endeavors and community initiatives

The male rapper’s middle name is Drake, not his given name. Specifically, his full name is Aubrey Draka Graham. “Drizzy” and “Champagne Papi” are well-known monikers for male rapper. Drake grew up in Toronto, Ontario, as a Canadian of Arab descent.

Drake is a frontrunner in the battle for the top spot in the global hip-hop and R&B music scene. Drake has accomplished several musically horrible feats that impress. The album “Thank Me Later” is his first release. Drake’s meteoric rise to fame and the creation of his record label, O.V.O. Sound, followed his signing with Lil Wayne.

Also, in 2016, Drake dropped One Dance, which went on to become a global phenomenon and one of the best-selling songs in history. Drake has accomplished not only those as mentioned earlier but also many other musical milestones.

13. Styles P

Styles P	Information
Full Name	Styles P
Birth Name	David R. Styles
Also Known As	Big Dave, Styles, Styles Pinero, Holiday Styles, the Ghost
Birthdate	November 28, 1974 (age 48)
Birthplace	Corona, Queens, New York City, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation(s)	Rapper, Songwriter
Associated Acts	The Lox, Ruff Ryders
Genres	Hip Hop
Labels	D-Block, Phantom, High Times, E1, Koch, Nature Sounds, Ruff Ryders, Interscope
Years Active	1994–present
Notable Albums	A Gangster and a Gentleman (2002), Time Is Money (2006), Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman) (2007), Master of Ceremonies (2011), The World’s Most Hardest MC Project (2012), Float (2013), Phantom and the Ghost (2014), A Wise Guy and a Wise Guy (2015), G-Host (2018)
Notable Collaborations	“Good Times”, “Locked Up” (Alternate Version, featuring Akon), “Filthy America… It’s Beautiful”, “Beloved” (collaboration album with Dave East), “Styles David: Ghost Your Enthusiasm”
Personal Life	Vegan, married to Adjua since July 31, 1995, two children (Noah and Tai), tragically lost younger brother Gary Quarles Styles in a car accident in 2001
Legal Issues	Involved in a nightclub altercation resulting in stabbing, served an eight-month sentence in 2002-2003
Business Ventures	Co-founder of D-Block Records and Juice for Life juice bars, co-owner of Farmacy for Life health food store
Literary Works	Released novel “Invincible” in 2010
Television Appearances	Marriage Boot Camp (2020), Everything’s Gonna Be All White (documentary series, 2022)

Styles P. entered the world on this planet on November 28, 1974, in New York City, New York State, United States. As a youngster, he began rapping alongside Jadakiss and Sheek Louch, which led to a meeting with Mary J. Blige, who delivered a demo of the trio to Sean “Diddy” Combs, catapulting their careers.

Former member of The L.O.X. and creator of D-Block Recording America, as well as a talented rapper and author. His 2010 novel, Invincible, was published by Random House.

If you’re a fan of Styles P, you might also be interested in discovering the top 25 famous Chicago rappers. Known for his unique flow and twist on traditional East Coast hip-hop, Styles P’s style aligns with many of the famous rappers from the Windy City. Check out this list to explore more underrated and overlooked artists.

14. Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott	Information
Full Name	Missy Elliott
Born	July 1, 1971
Birthplace	Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
Other Names	Misdemeanor
Occupations	Rapper
Years Active	1991–present
Awards	Four Grammy Awards
Musical Career	Genres: Hip hop, R&B, progressive rap
Labels	The Goldmind Inc.
Member of	Swing Mob
Musical Artist	Best-selling female rapper in Nielsen Music history

Melissa Arnette Elliott, better known as Missy Elliott, has won five Grammys and is responsible for classics including “Sock it two me,” “Get ur freak on,” and “Work it” from the early 2000s. Elliott, an American singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer is the only female rapper to have six studio albums certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Under Construction was one of her most successful albums, peaking at #3 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Furthermore, the album was nominated for a Grammy.

15. Mos Def

Mos Def entered the world on this planet on December 11, 1973, in the borough of Brooklyn, New York. He co-founded the rap duo Black Star with Talib Kweli and has starred in numerous films and T.V. episodes, such as Dexter, Be Kind Rewind, and The Job of the Italian.

Mos Def’s fourth album, 2009’s “The Ecstatic,” included the funny combination of tracks like “Life in Marvelous Times” and “History,” earning him considerable accolades from the music community. Combination of socially conscious themes and lyrical depth with singalong hooks and professional sound design. Ultimately, Ecstatic was nominated for a Grammy in 2010 for Best Rap Album.

Mos Def	Information
Full Name	Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def)
Birthdate	December 11, 1973
Birthplace	Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Other Names	Yasiin Bey, Black Dante, Dante Beze, Flaco, El-Bey
Genres	Alternative hip hop, conscious hip hop,
Occupation	Rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, activist
Years Active	1994–present
Labels	Rawkus, Downtown, GOOD, Geffen, Priority
Group Membership	Black Star
Notable Works	“Black on Both Sides,” “The New Danger,”
Acting Career	Films: Something the Lord Made, Next Day Air,
Social Activism	Advocacy for police brutality, American
Children	6

16. Killer Mike

Rapper Killer Mike (real name Michael Render), born on April 20, 1975, in Atlanta, Georgia, is a member of the influential group OutKast. On Jay-The Z’s Blueprint 2 album from 2002, he contributed to the track “Poppin ‘Tags.”

Mike made his first appearance on Outkast’s 2000 LP Stankonia and later performed on the Grammy Award-winning single “The Whole World” from the group’s smash album Big Boi and Dr. Dre Present…Outkast (2001). He has since gone on to release five studio albums under his name.

Killer Mike	Information
Full Name	Killer Mike
Birth Name	Michael Santiago Render
Also Known As	Mike Bigga, Jerome Jewel
Born	April 20, 1975
Birthplace	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, songwriter, actor, activist
Years Active	1995–present
Labels	Loma Vista, Mass Appeal, Grind Time, Fontana, SMC, Grand Hustle, Atlantic, Williams Street, Fool’s Gold, Purple Ribbon, Columbia
Member of	Run the Jewels, Dungeon Family
Formerly of	Purple Ribbon All-Stars
Children	4
Notable Debut	Featured on Outkast’s album “Stankonia”
Grammy Award	Won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
Solo Albums	Released multiple full-length albums
Social Activism	Advocate for social equality, police brutality, and systemic racism
Lectures and Writing	Delivered lectures and written articles on social justice
Political Support	Vocal supporter of Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns
Acting Career	Appeared in films such as “Idlewild,” “Baby Driver,” and “ATL”
Documentary Series	Hosted “Trigger Warning with Killer Mike” on Netflix
Business Ventures	Co-owns and plans to expand barbershops across the United States
Online Bank	Co-founded Greenwood, an online bank supporting Black-owned businesses

If you’re a fan of Killer Mike, you might also be interested in discovering the pro-life celebrities who’ve used their platform to promote the importance of valuing every life. Whether you share their views or not, it’s always fascinating to learn about the values and causes that matter to public figures.

17. Kurupt

On November 23, 1972, Kurupt entered this world. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. American rapper and ex-Vice President of Death Row Records, born Ricardo Brown. The Dogg Pound was a rap group in which he participated. Doggystyle, Snoop Dogg’s first album, featured him.

Kurupt	Information
Full Name	Kurupt
Birthdate	November 23, 1972
Birthplace	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other Names	Young Gotti, Kurupt Tha Kingpin
Occupations	Rapper, songwriter, record producer, actor
Years Active	1991–present
Spouse	Jovan Brown (2007–2017)
Partners	Foxy Brown (1997–1999), Natina Reed (2000–2002)
Children	6
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop, Gangsta rap
Labels	Death Row, Interscope, Antra, A&M, Artemis, D.P.G., Heritage Music
Member of	Tha Dogg Pound, The HRSMN
Musical Artist	Kurupt
Notable Collaborations	– Helped set lasting trends in gangsta rap’s rise during the 1990s.

18. Busta Rhymes

American rapper, musician, record producer, actor, and record executive Trevor George Smith Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes. He became well-known thanks to his song “Woo Hah!” and his ability to rhyme quickly. Not only that, but he also helped establish the Conglomerate label. His work has been nominated for eleven Grammys.

The Coming (1996), When Disaster Strikes… (1997), E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front (1998), and Genesis (2001) are just a few of Busta Rhymes’ excellent albums (2001).

Busta Rhymes	Information
Full Name	Busta Rhymes
Birthdate	May 20, 1972
Birthplace	Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Occupations	Rapper, Songwriter, Record Producer, Actor, Businessman
Years Active	1986–present
Education	Uniondale High School
Genres	Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop, Progressive Rap
Instruments	Vocals, Samplers, Drums
Labels	Empire, Conglomerate, Epic, Violator, Republic, Cash Money, Young Money, Universal Motown, Interscope, Aftermath, J, Elektra
Formerly of	Flipmode Squad, Leaders of the New School
Awards	12 Grammy Award nominations
Notable Singles	“Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check”, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See”, “Dangerous”, “Gimme Some More”, “What’s It Gonna Be?”, “Pass the Courvoisier, Part II”, “I Know What You Want”, “Touch It”
Solo Albums	The Coming, When Disaster Strikes, Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front, Anarchy, Genesis, It Ain’t Safe No More, The Big Bang, Back on My B.S., Year of the Dragon, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God
Other Ventures	Founded Conglomerate (formerly Flipmode Entertainment) record label and production crew, Listed in About.com’s 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time, MTV referred to him as “one of hip-hop’s greatest visual artists”

19. Jadakiss

On May 27, 1975, in Yonkers City, New York, United States, Jadakiss entered this world. He was one of the original members of the legendary rap group The Warlock. New York native and rapper Jason Phillips has had three albums debut in the top five. Kiss of Death, his lone studio album, was released in 2004.

When his song “Why?” implied that George W. Bush was at fault for the September 11 assaults on the World Trade Center, he sparked controversy and earned the wrath of Bill O’Reilly.

Jadakiss	Information
Full Name	Jadakiss
Birth Name	Jason Terrance Phillips
Also Known As	Montega Jada
Birthdate	May 27, 1975
Birthplace	Yonkers, New York, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper, Songwriter
Years Active	1992–present
Labels	SoRaspy, Roc Nation, Def Jam, D-Block, Ruff Ryders
Member of	The Lox, Ruff Ryders
Debut Solo Album	“Kiss Tha Game Goodbye” (2001)
Notable Songs	“We Gonna Make It”
Awards	BET Hip Hop Awards: Best Collaboration (2004)

If you’re looking for the best rappers of the 2000s, you can’t skip Jadakiss. With his iconic flow and hard-hitting lyrics, Jada has cemented his place in hip-hop history. Check out our list of the top 24 best rappers of the 2000s to find out who else made the cut.

20. Lupe Fiasco

Chicago native Lupe Fiasco (born February 16, 1982) got his start as the lead singer for a Japanese band called Cartoon. The U.S. top 10 featured his song “Show Goes On,” which reached number nine.

Only a select few rappers, Lupe Fiasco, included, can create complex meanings with their words. It’s pretty challenging to reach the third or fourth layer of meaning in the music of competent rappers because only two layers of meaning occur in the music of rappers in general. He’s a pioneer of the sociopolitical hip hop scene, with a distinctive sound shaped by his early life experiences.

Lupe Fiasco	Information
Full Name	Lupe Fiasco
Birth Name	Wasalu Muhammad Jaco
Birthdate	February 16, 1982
Birthplace	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper, Record Producer, Entrepreneur
Years Active	2000–present
Labels	1st & 15th, The Orchard, Thirty Tigers (current), Atlantic (former)
Member of	Japanese Cartoon
Formerly of	All City Chess Club, Child Rebel Soldier
Notable Albums	“Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor,” “Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool,” “Lasers,” “Drill Music in Zion”
Notable Songs	“Kick, Push,” “Superstar,” “The Show Goes On,” “Daydreamin'”
Entrepreneurship	Chief Executive Officer of 1st and 15th Entertainment, clothing lines (Righteous Kung-Fu and Trilly & Truly)
Social Activism	Involved in charitable activities, recorded a benefit single for victims of the Haiti earthquake
Artistic Influences	Inspired by Jay-Z, Nas, The Watts Prophets, and jazz musicians
Musical Style	Known for lyrical depth and socially conscious themes
Anti-Establishment	Known for expressing anti-establishment views in interviews and music
Background	Raised in Chicago, developed an interest in hip hop, joined a group called Da Pak, signed a record deal with Atlantic

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