The Arts Influencers * Listed in No Specific Order of Importance
"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...
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"Sway" Calloway
As executive producer of MTV News, Sway has long been one of the network's most respected voices and the hip hop lifeline for much of network's programming. Sway conducted an hour-long with R&B star Chris Brown at Brown's...
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"Grouchy" Greg Watkins
Greg Watkins has become one of the driving forces behind the leading source of hip hop news and information online. Founding Allhiphop.com with his partner Chuck Creekmur, Watkins has guided what Chuck D once referred to as...
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Aldrin "DJ Toomp" Davis
DJ Toomp has long been one of the most admired individuals in southern hip-hop; having begun his career as a DJ, touring with early southern rap stars like MC Shy-D & JT Money. Now an in-demand producer, Toomp has worked...
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Andre "Dr. Dre" Young
With his long-awaited Detox album still among the most highly anticipated releases in popular music, Dr. Dre status as hip hop's most beloved and respected producer remains intact. For almost any other artist in hip hop, an eleven...
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Antoine Fuqua
Antoine Fuqua parlayed a storied career directing music videos for talents like Toni Braxton, Prince, Usher and more. He was a young video director who used savvy to ease his way into filmmaking. “When [film producer] Jerry...
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Antwan "Big Boi" Patton
Big Boi has been the more active member of Outkast since his former group's extended hiatus. This year was no different, with the southern rap superstar releasing new music and traveling the country for concerts...
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Aubrey "Drake" Graham
Drake has proven to be the breakout star on Young Money Entertainment roster. After his well-recieved 2009 mixtape "So Far Gone" helped launch his celebrity, Drake’s first studio album, Thank Me Later, debuted at number one on the...
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Bernard "Bun B" Freeman
Since the death of his former UGK partner Pimp C, Bun B has worked hard to keep the legacy of the Underground Kingz intact. His latest album Trill O.G. received the heralded 'Five Mic' rating in the Source--the first album to receive that...
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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...
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Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus
Snoop Dogg, undoubtedly one of the most recognizable hip hop stars in the world, continued to expand his considerable presence over the past year. The iconic West Coast rapper appeared on Katy Perry's #1 hit "California Gurls," and...
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Christopher "DJ Premier" Martin
DJ Premier has long been the producer most accredited with defining the sound of East Coast hip hop, from the early 1990s onward. To this day, Premier remains one of the most sought-after and respected beatsmiths in the industry;...
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Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson
Cocky and controversial, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson is always one of hip hop's most entertaining personalities. More than that, 'Fiddy,' over the course of his career, has shown a business savvy and a knack or self-promotion...
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Datwon Thomas
As editor-in-chief of GlobalGrind, Datwon Thomas manages one of the top-tier hip hop sites online. The former EIC of XXL, Thomas has helped push GlobalGrind beyond its hip hop demographic and into the larger stratosphere of popular...
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DeAndre "Soulja Boy" Way
Youth often belies wisdom. In the case of rapper/producer/writer Soulja Boy, youth – and youthful antics – completely distort his wisdom. Granted, the 20-year-old who has more than 100 tattoos admittedly has room to grow. But...
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Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
As a commentator for NPR, CNN and HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher," Dyson has helped keep race and class at the forefront of political dialogue in America. An ordained minister, Dyson has also discussed the role of theology...
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Dwayne "Lil Wayne" Carter
A little prison time did nothing to slow Lil Wayne's momentum throughout 2010. Still one of the most popular rappers in the industry, the man born Dwayne Carter has continued his run of chart success and shrewd business moves despite...
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Faheem "T-Pain" Najm
T-Pain is one of the most well-known and seemingly omnipresent personalities in hip hop. The AutoTuned singer continues to not only be one of the more successful artists in urban music, but he also has become a go-to artist for...
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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...
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Jay "Young Jeezy" Jenkins
In 2009, Jeezy joined Jay-Z on his "Blueprint 3 Tour" and Jeezy's Thug Motivation 103 remains one of the year's most highly-anticipated releases. He also expanding on what has been described as a 'maturing' 8732 apparel line...
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Jim Jonsin
Jim Jonsin, an American record producer and songwriter, has produced hits for top megastars like T.I., Usher, Soulja Boi, Lil’ Wayne, Kid Cudi and Nelly and won the 2010 BMI Pop Award, the BMI Songwriter of the Year in 2009...
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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...
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Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean
The 2010 BET Hip Hop producer of the year, Swizz's productions have been featured on seemingly everyone's albums this year; from Jay-Z to Plies to Chris Brown. Of course, his marriage to Alicia Keys kept his name...
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Keri Hilson
Keri Hilson's track record as a songwriter has garnered her numerous accolades and awards throughout her career. The Atlanta native has contributed her songwriting skills to hits like Justin Bieber's "One Less Lonely Girl," Trina's...
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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...
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Nahala "Mr. Boomtown" Johnson
Mr. Boomtown has quickly become the go-to director for many of the biggest names in southern hip hop. He has been behind the lens for some of Texas' most celebrated acts, including Bun B, Slim Thug and others. In 2009 alone,...
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Necole Bitchie
Blogger Necole Bitchie has found her niche online staying somewhere between straight-forward information and juicy gossip--all the while, delivering it without the expected levels of venom most associate with gossip sites. Her...
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Onika "Nicki Minaj" Maraj
Nicki Minaj has been the most talked-about artist in hip hop this year. Her unique style and persona have made her a permanent fixture on blogs and gossip television, but more than that, Minaj has single-handedly revitalized...
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Patrick "9th Wonder" Douthit
th Wonder is one of the most sought-after producers in hip hop. The North Carolina product earned his reputation in the early 2000s with beloved alt-rap duo Little Brother, and crafted classic tracks for Jay-Z...
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Radric "Gucci Mane" Davis
Despite having been incarcerated for one year on probation violation before being released in May of 2010, Gucci Mane has maintained his position near the top of the hip-hop industry. The State Vs. Radric Davis, Gucci’s 2nd album...
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Sandra Rose
With posts ranging from politics to fashion to scandals to news, SandraRose.com is a blog where gossip and culture collide. As the fearless brain behind the brand, Sandra Rose is always divulging juicy tidbits about tastemakers...
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Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter
Artist, mogul and icon, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter has been hip hop's alpha male for the better part of a decade, and he continues to be the industry's ultimate taste-maker, power player and trendsetter. On December 11, 2009, Jay-Z...
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Sylvia Rhone
A true industry veteran, Sylvia Rhone is a force in the music business who's earned her success over 30+ years of experience. As president of Universal/Motown, she leads a giant powerhouse. Starting in music in 1974, Rhone...
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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...
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Travis Barker
Travis Barker has emerged from his former band Blink-182 to become one of the most sought-after collaborators in hip hop. An entrepreneur, producer and accomplished drummer, Barker in the last year has become known in particular...
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Vanessa Satten
XXL is the most respected print publication in hip hop, and online, the brand is no less iconic and influential to urban audiences. Vanessa Satten guides the title, taking over as editor-in-chief at XXL after Datwon Thomas resigned...
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Wasalu "Lupe Fiasco" Jacoo
Lupe Fiasco has managed to maintain one of the most loyal fanbases in hip-hop. Earlier this fall, when his third LP, Lasers, was met with another delay, fans gathered a petition with over 28,000 signatures to demand that Atlantic...
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William "will-i-am" Adams Jr.
Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am is both one of the most active producers in hip hop and one of the most visible personalities in pop culture. With the Peas, will.i.am won three 2010 Grammy Awards and he was was the 2010...
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"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...
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"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...
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Aaron "TechN9ne" Yates
A former member of the Black Mafia, Tech N9ne has long been one of hip hop's most unique artists. His bizarre subject matter may have made him one of genre's permanent outsiders, but he's utilized that status to develop one...
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Amy Doyle
Amy Doyle oversees programming for one of television's most iconic brands. MTV remains at the forefront of youth culture, and keeping it there is the 39-year old Doyle. As MTV executive vice president of music and talent, Doyle...
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Angie Martinez
A voice of New York hip hop radio, Angie Martinez has been one of the most recognized hip hop DJs during her entire tenure at New York City's legendary Hot 97 station. She's interviewed some of hip hop and pop's biggest names,...
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Antonio "L.A." Reid
L.A. Reid heads one of the most powerful, respected and iconic brands in hip hop. As chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Island/Def Jam, Reid is captain of hip hop's most storied ship and he guides some of the industry's...
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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...
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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...
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Big Boy
Beloved radio star (and sometimes actor) Big Boy may not be quite as physically 'big' as he once was; but Angeleno's favorite hip hop DJ is as big as ever culturally. As radio host based on Los Angeles' KPWR (Power 106) Big Boy has...
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Brian "Birdman" Williams
Cash Money Records has been a hip hop juggernaut for over a decade now. As the only late 90s rap imprint that's still standing--and arguably, stronger than ever--the New Orleans-based label has surprised many by outlasting...
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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...
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Clifford "T.I." Harris, Jr.
In what can best be described as an up-and-down year, T.I. has been one of the most talked-about personalities in hip hop recently. The rapper spent most of late 2009/early 2010 incarcerated following a federal weapons conviction,...
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Dana "Queen Latifah" Owens
Queen Latifah's long been one of hip hop's most versatile and successful personalities. This year, she continued to maintain high visibility as a pitchwoman for CoverGirl cosmetics and Jenny Craig, and as a voiceover star...
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Dave Mays
David Mays is one of the most ambitious figures in hip hop media. The man who founded the Source in 1988 and helped launch Hip Hop Weekly with Raymond "Benzino" Scott, Mays has helped turn Hip Hop Weekly into one of the most...
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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...
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dream hampton
One of music journalism's most respected voices, the former Source editor that documented the ascensions of 2Pac, the Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z remained a potent voice and named after Martin Luther King's iconic speech, hampton...
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Dylan "Dizzee Rascal" Mills
U.K. rapper Dizzee Rascal is one of hip hop's biggest British stars. Credited with bringing British 'grime' to the mainstream music audiences in England, the East London-born emcee is still one of the biggest stars and greatest ambassadors...
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Fatima Wade Robinson
Since helping to choreograph Michael Jackson's iconic video "Remember the Time" at the tender age of twenty-one, Fatima Robinson has been the most in-demand choreographer in the music industry. Having worked...
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Gregory "DJ Greg Street" Polk
Atlanta is a hotbed of hip hop music and culture, and no one is arguably more respected on hip hop radio in Atlanta than DJ Greg Street. One of the most recognizable voices in radio, with a career spanning decades, Street also was a...
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Jermaine Dupri
The man who's been crafting monster hits for almost 20 years in the industry, Jermaine Dupri's reputation speaks for itself. He's produced or mentored some of the biggest selling acts in hip hop and continues to outwork his...
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Julia Beverly
Ozone Magazine is the South's most respected hip hop publication. Driving the publication's success if Julia Beverly, who founded Ozone when she was only 20 years old. She grew the initially-photo heavy magazine into one...
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Kanye West
There are few figures in 2000s hip hop culture that have been as artistically and culturally influential as Kanye West. Musically, the emergence of artists like Drake and Kid Cudi is evidence of Kanye West's ongoing influence on a younger...
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Keith "DJ Kay-Slay" Grayson
An avid hip hop head since he was a young graffiti artist in the 1970s, Kay-Slay is one of hip hop's most amicable DJs. The personality who served as a go-between in numerous hip hop feuds over the years (from Nas vs. Jay-Z, to 50 Cent...
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Kevin Powell
A long respected hip hop journalist and documentarian, Kevin Powell put his love for community at the forefront of his campaign for Congressman in his Brooklyn district. Powell has been a vocal social activist, speaking publicly...
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Marshall "Eminem" Mathers
Eminem once again ascended to the pinnacle of hip-hop in 2010, scoring a monster hit with his seventh solo album, Recovery. With two singles reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the album sales of 2.86 million...
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Nasir "Nas" Jones
Nas is one of hip hop's most respected artists. More than fifteen years removed from his debut album, the Queensbridge MC is still one of the genre's more credible and articulate artists, writing songs with a strong sense...
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No ID
Currently president of the GOOD Music label founded by Kanye West, No ID’s reputation as one of hip hop's most respected producers stretches back to the early 90s. Today, his immense talent is recognized amongst artists and...
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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...
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Pharrell Williams
Pharrell is not only one of the most respected artists and producers in hip hop, but he has maintained his high visibility through a series of shrewd artistic moves and savvy business ventures over the past year. The producer...
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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...
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Sean "Diddy" Combs
He started out humble enough to cater to the stars – be it the neighborhood paper boy (whom he persuaded to hand down a popular route for a percentage of his earnings); burgeoning pop-rock stars the Fine Young Cannibals and R B singer...
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Stephen Hill
As Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Music Programming for Black Entertainment Television, Stephen Hill is the guiding force behind one of the pillars of African American pop culture. BET is the primary source of music...
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Terius "The-Dream" Nash
Terius Youngdell Nash, better known as 'The-Dream,' is one of music's most successful singer songwriter and producers. Releasing a chart-topping album in 2009 Love Vs. Money, which debuted #2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, and...
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Toure
Toure has become FUSE TV's foremost authority on hip hop. The respected journalist has secured some of 2010s most talked-about interviews; he sat down with T.I. following the rapper's release from prison, Lauryn Hill when she...
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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...
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Vashtie Kola
Vashtie Kola is a hip hop renaissance woman. A designer, video director, party promotor and model, the New Yorker is already an iconic figure in design circles. An alumnus of the Manhattan-based School of Visual Arts, Vashtie Kola...
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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...
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Wyclef Jean
For a decade-and-a-half, Wyclef Jean has been one of the most acclaimed and respected artists/songwriter/producers in hip hop. But over the past year, Jean has become just as iconic for his civic, philanthropic and political work...
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