The Notable Influencers * Listed in No Specific Order of Importance
Brandi Garcia
One of the most beloved on-air personality in Houston hip hop radio, Brandi Garcia has become one of the hottest urban radio/mixtape veteran’s in Hip Hop today. Starting off in Huntsville, AL she was quickly noticed for her extraordinary... Read More
Tyree "DJ Drama" Simmons
DJ Drama is the most prolific and visible mixtape DJ in the hip hop industry. With a seemingly-endless parade of artists looking to work with Drama's popular series, he has become the go-to DJ for hip hop's elite personalities. Drama even... Read More
Doug Morris
Doug Morris, as chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, has headed what many consider to be one of the most powerful entities in the music industry. Under Morris' direction, UMG has become the world's largest music... Read More
Justin "Just Blaze" Smith
Few producers can boast the track record of hitmaker Just Blaze. The NYC-based producer became a household name after working on classic Jay-Z albums like The Blueprint and The Black Album, and he spent 2009-2010 working with... Read More
Tim Westwood
Tim Westwood is the U.K.'s most visible and preeminent hip hop media personality. Westwood hosts the top ranked hip-hop show in the UK, which is also the second highest rated show in the history of MTV Europe. Westwood’s... Read More
Craig Kallman
One of the few remaining music execs that actually has a background in music-making, (he even DJed the Big Beat Records Relaunch Party), Craig Kallman remains a guiding force in the industry as Chairman and CEO of Atlantic... Read More
Dr. Cornell West
One of the most respected African-American scholars and cultural commentators, Dr. Cornell West has remained an elder who sincerely attempts to build bridges between the Civil Rights generation and the hip hop generation. West... Read More
Oshea "Ice Cube" Jackson
Ice Cube remains a respected veteran recording artist in the hip hop industry, but his legacy extends far beyond his pioneering work with N.W.A. and his incendiary solo recordings. Cube is one of hip hop's most versatile... Read More
William "Rick Ross" Roberts, Jr.
Not many rappers can claim to have had a better year than Miami superstar Rick Ross. Ross' album Teflon Don debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, selling 176,000 copies in its first week. The rapper, always maintaining his visibility... Read More
Frazier "Trae" Thompson III
Over the past decade, Houston’s Trae The Truth has put together a very impressive career, with no less than six solo albums and another one slated for release this November, with features from Lil Wayne, Lupe Fiasco, and more... Read More
