The Notable Influencers * Listed in No Specific Order of Importance
Abu Thiam
Despite his age, Abu Thiam has already forged a career in the music industry that many gray-haired executives would envy. Before being named to his current position as Vice President of Def Jam, Thiam, as the co-CEO of Konvict... Read More
Lonnie "Common" Lynn, Jr.
After over 15 years in hip hop, Common's visibility and cache are at an all-time high. The Chicago-born emcee has become one of the bigger crossover stars in hip hop, all the while maintaining his credibility within the genre... Read More
"DJ Vlad" Lyubovny
An ex computer programmer turned disc jockey, DJ Vlad, (aka "The Butcher") has turned VladTV.com into one of the most reputable hip hop-centric sites online. The site most notoriously helped reveal Rick Ross' past... Read More
Julia Beverly
Ozone Magazine is the South's most respected hip hop publication. Driving the publication's success is Julia Beverly, who founded Ozone when she was only 20 years old. She grew the initially-photo heavy magazine into one... Read More
Raquel "Rocsi" Diaz
As co-host of BET's "106 & Park," Rocsi is one of the most influential and beloved personalities on entertainment television. The show is one of the highest rated for its demographic and has made Rocsi a pop culture icon... Read More
Benny Boom
Any hip hop fan that rushes home to catch the latest video shows or sits on YouTube watching the vids of all their favorite rappers is familiar with the work of talented lensman Benny Boom. Nominated for the BET Hip Hop Award... Read More
"Cousin" Jeff Johnson
Since his appearances on "Rap City" in the early 2000s, "Cousin" Jeff Johnson has emerged as one of the most respected cultural commentators of the hip hop generation. The motivational speaker and activist appeared last year... Read More
Aston "Funkmaster Flex" Taylor, Jr.
Funkmaster Flex is more than just the voice of New York City hip hop radio, he's quite possibly the most respected hip hop radio DJ in the country. Flex has built a reputation for landing exclusive interviews with the biggest names in the industry... Read More
Chris "Ludacris" Bridges
As one of the few early 2000s superstars that has proved to have staying power, Ludacris managed to turn a relatively-quiet 2010 into another banner year for his musical career and business ventures. The Atlanta emcee... Read More
"Terrence J" Jenkins
The co-host of BET's "106 & Park," Terrence J is the face of urban teen culture. He and co-host Rocsi have become an indelible part of of pop culture landscape and are the personalities that are inextricably tied to BET's core... Read More
