The Humanity 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Angela Yee
With a reputation for no-holds-barred interviews and a knack for probing questions, Angela Yee has become one of the most popular personalities on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. As host of Eminem's station, Shade 45, Yee has broken...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Kevin Liles
Kevin Liles is an accomplished entrepreneur, executive and one of the industry's most respected veterans. Formerly president of Def Jam Records and Warner Music Group, Liles is now CEO of KWL/Def Jam Enterprises, a music...
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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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Russell Simmons
"The Godfather of Hip Hop" For anyone else, a title such as this would sound hyperbolic. But for Russell Simmons, even 'Godfather' may be an understatement. The man who put hip hop on the global map, Simmons began launch...
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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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