The people
Artists
Origins, history and full discographies, from Compton and the Bronx to Sacramento, Vallejo and Detroit.
Artist11/5Hunters Point, San Francisco, California
Artist2 Live CrewLiberty City, Miami, Florida
Artist2PacMarin City, California (born in New York City)
Artist8Ball & MJGOrange Mound, Memphis, Tennessee
ArtistA Tribe Called QuestSt. Albans, Queens
ArtistA-PlusEast Oakland, California (born in Denver)
ArtistAfrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic ForceBronx River Houses, the Bronx
ArtistAl KaponeSouth Memphis, Tennessee
ArtistAlmighty DreadnaughtsDetroit and Highland Park, Michigan
ArtistAloe BlaccLaguna Hills, Orange County, California
ArtistAlton EllisKingston, Jamaica
ArtistAndre NickatinaFillmore, San Francisco, California
ArtistAntônio Carlos JobimRio de Janeiro, Brazil
ArtistArthur VerocaiRio de Janeiro, Brazil
ArtistAudio TwoBrooklyn, New York
ArtistAwesome DréDetroit, Michigan
ArtistAzymuthRio de Janeiro, Brazil
ArtistB-LegitVallejo, California
ArtistBeanie SigelSouth Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
ArtistBeastie BoysNew York City
ArtistBellyOttawa, Ontario
ArtistBig Daddy KaneBedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
ArtistBig HawkHouston, Texas
ArtistBig HerkWoodrow Wilson / Dexter-Linwood, Detroit
ArtistBig HermBayview-Hunters Point, San Francisco
ArtistBig MelloHouston, Texas (Hiram Clarke)
ArtistBig MoeThird Ward, Houston, Texas
ArtistBig PunBronx, New York
ArtistBig SeanDetroit, Michigan (born in Santa Monica, California)
ArtistBig TuckQueen City, Dallas, Texas
ArtistBizarreDetroit, Michigan
ArtistBlack MoonBushwick and Brownsville, Brooklyn
ArtistBlack SpadeSt. Louis, Missouri
ArtistBlack StarBrooklyn, New York
ArtistBlade IcewoodDetroit, Michigan
ArtistBlak TwangDeptford, London
ArtistBluInglewood / Los Angeles, California
ArtistBlue ScholarsUniversity District, Seattle, Washington
ArtistBone Thugs-n-HarmonyEast 99th and St. Clair, Cleveland, Ohio
ArtistBrotha Lynch HungSouth Sacramento, California
ArtistC-BoMeadowview, Sacramento
ArtistCelly CelVallejo, California
ArtistChance the RapperWest Chatham, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistChief KeefParkway Garden Homes, Washington Park, South Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistChingyWalnut Park, St. Louis, Missouri
ArtistCommonCalumet Heights, South Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistCoo Coo CalMilwaukee, Wisconsin
ArtistCookie CrewClapham, London
ArtistCougnutLakeview, San Francisco, California
ArtistCriminal NationHilltop, Tacoma, Washington
ArtistCrioloGrajaú, São Paulo, Brazil
ArtistCrucial ConflictWest Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistCypress HillSouth Gate, California
ArtistD'PhuzionDetroit, Michigan
ArtistDa BratWest Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistDA SmartRobert Taylor Homes, South Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistDana DaneFort Greene, Brooklyn
ArtistDandy LivingstoneKingston, Jamaica
ArtistDanny BrownDetroit, Michigan
ArtistDarkroom FamiliaHayward and Northern California
ArtistDaz DillingerLong Beach, California
ArtistDelroy WilsonKingston, Jamaica
ArtistDemon BoyzTottenham, London
ArtistDerek BHammersmith, London
ArtistDerrick MorganClarendon, Jamaica
ArtistDesmond DekkerKingston, Jamaica
ArtistDevin the DudeHouston, Texas (born Pontiac, Michigan)
ArtistDilated PeoplesLos Angeles, California
ArtistDJ GodfatherDetroit, Michigan
ArtistDJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh PrinceWest Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
ArtistDJ PremierHouston and Prairie View, Texas; Brooklyn, New York
ArtistDJ QuikCompton, California
ArtistDJ ScrewSmithville, Texas; South Side, Houston
ArtistDMXYonkers, New York (born in Mount Vernon)
ArtistDo or DieEast Garfield Park, West Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistDon DrummondKingston, Jamaica
ArtistDorroughDallas, Texas
ArtistDweleDetroit, Michigan (west side)
ArtistE-40Vallejo, California
ArtistE-A-SkiOakland, California
ArtistE.C. IllaUptown, North Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistEastside Chedda BoyzJefferson/Conner, East Side, Detroit
ArtistEbony EyezSt. Louis, Missouri
ArtistElis ReginaPorto Alegre, Brazil
ArtistEmicidaSão Paulo, Brazil
ArtistEminemDetroit, Michigan
ArtistEric B. & RakimEast Elmhurst, Queens / Wyandanch, Long Island
ArtistEshamSeven Mile, Detroit
ArtistEvidenceVenice, Los Angeles, California
ArtistFat BoysEast New York, Brooklyn
ArtistFat PatHouston, Texas
ArtistFoe LocoRosemont, East Sacramento
ArtistFredo SantanaChicago, Illinois
ArtistFrizzoMetro Detroit, Michigan (raised in Yreka, California)
ArtistG HerboSouth Shore (“Terror Town”), South Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistGang StarrBoston / Brooklyn, NY
ArtistGangsta PatWhitehaven, Memphis, Tennessee
ArtistGeto BoysHouston, Texas
ArtistGoodie MobAtlanta, Georgia
ArtistGucci ManeZone 6, East Atlanta, Georgia (born Bessemer, Alabama)
ArtistGuruBoston, MA
ArtistHavocQueensbridge Houses, Queens, New York (born in Brooklyn)
ArtistHi-TekCincinnati, Ohio
ArtistHijackBrixton, London
ArtistHot BoysNew Orleans, Louisiana
ArtistHueyKinloch, St. Louis County, Missouri
ArtistHushDetroit, Michigan
ArtistIce-TNewark, NJ → South Central Los Angeles
ArtistImmortal TechniqueHarlem, New York (born in Lima, Peru)
ArtistInsane Clown PosseDetroit, Michigan
ArtistJ DillaConant Gardens, Detroit, Michigan
ArtistJ-KwonSt. Louis, Missouri
ArtistJ.J. FadRialto, California
ArtistJackie MittooBrown's Town, St. Ann, Jamaica
ArtistJay-ZBedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
ArtistJeezyAtlanta, Georgia (born Columbia, South Carolina)
ArtistJeru the DamajaEast New York, Brooklyn
ArtistJibbsSouth St. Louis, Missouri
ArtistJimmy CliffSomerton, St. James, Jamaica
ArtistJorge BenRio de Janeiro, Brazil
ArtistJT the Bigga FiggaFillmore, San Francisco, California
ArtistJuice WRLDChicago, Illinois (raised in Homewood, Illinois)
ArtistJunieStrawberry Manor, Sacramento
ArtistJustin Hinds & the DominoesSteer Town, Saint Ann, Jamaica
ArtistJuvenileNew Orleans, Louisiana
ArtistKanye WestSouth Shore, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistKaos & MystroDetroit, Michigan
ArtistKardinal OffishallToronto, Ontario
ArtistKen BootheKingston, Jamaica
ArtistKendrick LamarCompton, California
ArtistKhayreeVallejo, California
ArtistKid 'n PlayQueens, New York
ArtistKid CudiShaker Heights, Cleveland, Ohio
ArtistKid RockRomeo, Michigan (Detroit area)
ArtistKid SensationSeattle, Washington
ArtistKilo AliBankhead, Atlanta, Georgia
ArtistKing LouieEast Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistKing StittKingston, Jamaica
ArtistKing VonParkway Gardens (O’Block), South Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistKingpin Skinny PimpDixie Homes, North Memphis, Tennessee
ArtistKlashnekoffHackney, London
ArtistKool Moe DeeHarlem, Manhattan
ArtistKutt CalhounKansas City, Missouri
ArtistLaurel AitkenHavana, Cuba
ArtistLazarusDetroit, MichiganArtistLil Bibby79th and Essex, South Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistLil DurkEnglewood, South Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistLil Jon & the East Side BoyzAtlanta, Georgia
ArtistLil KekeHerschelwood, Houston, Texas
ArtistLil RaiderVacaville, California
ArtistLil ReeseEnglewood, South Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistLil ToroSouth San Francisco, Daly City, Fairfield and Vacaville, California
ArtistLil WayneNew Orleans, Louisiana
ArtistLil' KimBedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
ArtistLL Cool JSt. Albans, Queens
ArtistLondon PosseSouth London, London
ArtistLord TanamoKingston, Jamaica
ArtistLunasiccSacramento, California
ArtistLupe FiascoWest Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistM.O.P.Brownsville, Brooklyn
ArtistMac DreVallejo, CaliforniaArtistMac MallVallejo, CaliforniaArtistMaccniphNorthern California; based in Sacramento
ArtistMaestro Fresh WesToronto, Ontario
ArtistManixDetroit, Michigan
ArtistMannie FreshNew Orleans, Louisiana
ArtistMarcelo D2Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
ArtistMarcos ValleRio de Janeiro, Brazil
ArtistMarv WonDetroit, Michigan
ArtistMarvalessSacramento, California
ArtistMasta AceBrownsville, Brooklyn
ArtistMasta KillaBrooklyn, New York
ArtistMaster PNew Orleans, Louisiana
ArtistMax RomeoSt. Ann, Jamaica
ArtistMC BreedFlint, Michigan
ArtistMC LyteEast Flatbush, Brooklyn
ArtistMC Shy DThe Bronx, New York; Atlanta, Georgia
ArtistMetro BoominSt. Louis, Missouri
ArtistMF DOOMLong Beach, New York (born in London)
ArtistMGKShaker Heights, Cleveland, Ohio
ArtistMick JenkinsHuntsville, Alabama; raised on the South Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistMissy ElliottPortsmouth, Virginia
ArtistMos DefBedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
ArtistMozzyOak Park, Sacramento
ArtistMr. DoctorSouth Sacramento, California
ArtistMr. Serv-OnNew Orleans, Louisiana
ArtistMvstermindNorth St. Louis, Missouri
ArtistMysticOakland, California
ArtistNasQueensbridge, Queens, New York
ArtistNatasDetroit, Michigan
ArtistNato CaliphSt. Louis, Missouri
ArtistNellyUniversity City, St. Louis, Missouri
ArtistNice & SmoothThe Bronx, New York
ArtistNipsey HussleCrenshaw, South Los Angeles
ArtistNo I.D.Chicago, Illinois
ArtistNonameBronzeville, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistO.C.Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York
ArtistOl' Dirty BastardFort Greene, Brooklyn
ArtistOrganized NoizeAtlanta, Georgia
ArtistOutKastEast Point, Atlanta, Georgia
ArtistOwen GrayKingston, Jamaica
ArtistParadimeLivonia, Michigan
ArtistPayroll GiovanniWest Side, Detroit
ArtistPeople Under the StairsLos Angeles, California
ArtistPete RockMount Vernon, New York (born in the Bronx)
ArtistPhyllis DillonLinstead, St. Catherine, Jamaica
ArtistPolo GOld Town, North Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistPop SmokeCanarsie, Brooklyn
ArtistPrince BusterKingston, Jamaica
ArtistProdigyHempstead, Long Island; Queens, New York
ArtistProject PatNorth Memphis, Tennessee
ArtistProofDetroit, Michigan
ArtistPsychodramaWest Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistQuest M.C.O.D.Y.Detroit, Michigan
ArtistR.A. the Rugged ManSuffolk County, Long Island, New York
ArtistRacionais MC'sSão Paulo, Brazil
ArtistRaheem the DreamAtlanta, Georgia
ArtistRappin' 4-TayFillmore, San Francisco, California
ArtistRascalzEast Vancouver, British Columbia
ArtistRaw SocietyEast St. Louis, Illinois
ArtistRay CashCleveland, Ohio
ArtistRhymefestSouth Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistRichie RichEast Oakland, California
ArtistRick RossCarol City, Miami Gardens, Florida
ArtistRockwell KnucklesNorth St. Louis, Missouri
ArtistRodney PBalham, London
ArtistRoland AlphonsoHavana, Cuba
ArtistRoots ManuvaStockwell, London
ArtistRoxanne ShantéQueensbridge, Queens
ArtistRoyce da 5'9"Detroit, Michigan
ArtistRun-DMCHollis, Queens
ArtistSabaAustin, West Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistSabotageSão Paulo, Brazil
ArtistSalt-N-PepaQueens, New York
ArtistSan QuinnFillmore, San Francisco, California
ArtistScarfaceSouth Acres, Houston, Texas
ArtistSchoolly DWest Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
ArtistSeven the GeneralDetroit, Michigan
ArtistSir Mix-a-LotCentral District, Seattle, Washington
ArtistSkinnymanFinsbury Park, London (born in Leeds)
ArtistSleepy Eyed JonesDetroit, Michigan
ArtistSlim SmithKingston, Jamaica
ArtistSlum VillageConant Gardens, Detroit, Michigan
ArtistSmif-N-WessunBedford-Stuyvesant and Brownsville, Brooklyn
ArtistSminoNorth St. Louis, Missouri
ArtistSnak the RipperMaple Ridge, British Columbia
ArtistSoul IntentDetroit, Michigan
ArtistSoulja SlimNew Orleans, LouisianaArtistSouls of MischiefEast Oakland, California
ArtistSpecial EdFlatbush, Brooklyn
ArtistSpice 1Hayward, California
ArtistSt. LunaticsSt. Louis, Missouri
ArtistStetsasonicBrooklyn, New York
ArtistStompdown KillazLangley and Surrey, British Columbia
ArtistStranger ColeKingston, Jamaica
ArtistStretch MoneyDetroit, Michigan
ArtistSweet TeeQueens, New York
ArtistSwollen MembersVancouver, British Columbia
ArtistSylk SmoovNorth St. Louis, Missouri
ArtistT La RockThe Bronx, New York
ArtistT.I.Bankhead, Atlanta, Georgia
ArtistTalib KweliPark Slope, Brooklyn
ArtistTask ForceHighbury, London
ArtistTef PoePine Lawn, North St. Louis County, Missouri
ArtistTerror SquadBronx, New York
ArtistThaíde & DJ HumSão Paulo, Brazil
ArtistThe ClickVallejo, California
ArtistThe D.O.C.West Dallas, Dallas, Texas
ArtistThe Dangerous CrewOakland, California
ArtistThe Dayton FamilyFlint, Michigan
ArtistThe EthiopiansKingston, Jamaica
ArtistThe GayladsKingston, Jamaica
ArtistThe HeptonesKingston, Jamaica
ArtistThe LunizOakland, California
ArtistThe MelodiansKingston, Jamaica
ArtistThe NeptunesVirginia Beach, Virginia
ArtistThe Notorious B.I.G.Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
ArtistThe ParagonsKingston, Jamaica
ArtistThe PharcydeSouth Central Los Angeles
ArtistThe PioneersKingston, Jamaica
ArtistThe RootsPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
ArtistThe SkatalitesKingston, Jamaica
ArtistThe TechniquesKingston, Jamaica
ArtistThe UniquesKingston, Jamaica
ArtistThe UpsettersKingston, Jamaica
ArtistThree 6 MafiaMemphis, Tennessee
ArtistTim MaiaTijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
ArtistTimbalandNorfolk, Virginia
ArtistTimbaland & MagooNorfolk, Virginia
ArtistTommy McCookKingston, Jamaica
ArtistTommy Wright IIIWhitehaven, Memphis, Tennessee
ArtistTone ToneDetroit, Michigan
ArtistTony TribeKingston, Jamaica
ArtistToo $hortOakland, California
ArtistToots & the MaytalsKingston, Jamaica
ArtistTrick DaddyLiberty City, Miami, Florida
ArtistTrinaLiberty City, Miami, Florida
ArtistTriple BeamSacramento, California
ArtistTum TumPleasant Grove, Dallas, Texas
ArtistTwistaWest Garfield Park, West Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistTyBrixton, London
ArtistU-RoyKingston, Jamaica
ArtistUGKPort Arthur, Texas
ArtistUTFOEast Flatbush, Brooklyn
ArtistVic MensaHyde Park, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistWhodiniGowanus, Brooklyn
ArtistWoodieAntioch, California (born in San Leandro)
ArtistWu-Tang ClanStaten Island, New York City
ArtistX-RaidedSouth Sacramento, CaliforniaArtistYoung ChopSouth Side, Chicago, Illinois
ArtistZ-RoSouth Park, Houston, Texas
ArtistZigg ZaggSacramento, California