The Notable Influencers * Listed in No Specific Order of Importance
Curtis "50 Cent"
He hasn't released an album in almost four years, but that has done little to slow 50 Cent's ascension to the top of hip hop business and entrepreneurship. After his GUnit Records imprint signed a distribution deal with...
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Shawn "Jay-Z"
Jay-Z is still sitting at the top of hip hop. He was ranked #1 on Forbes' Hip Hop Cash Kings list of the industry's biggest earners in rap music. His $150 million deal with Live Nation, stake in the popular 40/40 clubs...
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Kanye West
One of the most iconic rappers in the world, Kanye West seems to be everywhere and into everything. Despite his controversial reputation, West's creativity and ambition know no limits, and he has aligned himself with some...
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Angela Yee
Radio superstar Angela Yee ended 2010 with a major professional transition. The frank and funny DJ left Sirius/XM's Shade 45 for a co-hosting gig on Power 105.1's "The Breakfast Club." She joined Charlamagne...
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Wiz Khalifa
Pittsburgh native Wiz Khalifa had a breakthrough year in 2011. The hip hop upstart became a household name this year on the strength of one of the year's most recognizable early singles, a hit debut album and tour, and...
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Bun B
Former UGK member Bun B continued to prove that he's one of hip hop's most beloved and respected elder statesmen throughout 2011. Appearing on albums and mixtapes ranging from Big K.R.I.T to Jay Electronica to Killa Kyleon...
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Dr. Cornel West
Cornel West continued to be one of the more respected members of the Civil Rights generation with considerable influence within the hip hop community. His willingness to provide a voice for many African Americans as it...
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Datwon Thomas
For fifteen years, Datwon Thomas has been one of the most respected men in hip hop journalism. He's transitioned from print media, to online and back to print' all without ever losing a shred of his cache and respect...
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Big Boy
Big Boy's 5-10 a.m. weekday show, "Big Boy's Neighborhood," has pushed 106 FM into the stratosphere, giving station KPWR some of the most enviable ratings in urban radio. In 2010, Big Boy's show was No. 6...
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Ice Cube
Ice Cube's reputation as a hip hop renaissance man continued well into 2011, without he rapper/actor embarking on a dizzyingly varied array of projects. Having released his latest album, I Am the West in late 2010...
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Pete Rock
Legendary superproducer Pete Rock came into 2011 with a bold announcement. The acclaimed beatsmith assured fans that he would be releasing a whopping five albums before year's end. While producing tracks for other...
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T.I.
Despite being incarcerated, Atlanta superstar T.I. hasn't lost a bit of his cache in hip hop circles. The last few years of his career have been peppered with ongoing legal issues, yet the man born Clifford Harris has...
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Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah continues to be hip hop's everywoman. The woman born Dana Owens continued to make sure she had her hands in as many different fields of business, art and entertainment as possible. And the world has not...
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Charlamagne Tha God
There's one man in hip hop radio that does not care how you feel. Charlamagne Tha God's scathing sense of humor has become infamous. The controversial co-host of 105.1's hit morning show "The Breakfast Club"...
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Snoop Dogg
He's a rapper, businessman, actor, pitchman, and philanthropist. Snoop Dogg is still arguably the most recognized man in hip hop, and he continues to ensure that his profile will not be diminishing any time soon......
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Jermaine Dupri
He's produced hits for everyone from Usher to Mariah Carey to Jay-Z. He's been one of the most powerful and respected executives in music. He's even been a platinum-selling rapper. Jermaine Dupri has done virtually everything...
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Terrence J
"Terrence J" Jenkins is one half of BET's "106 & Park" hosting tandem that also includes Rocsi Diaz, but in 2011, the popular veejay continued to expand his professional repertoire outside of his day job bringing...
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Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams does a little bit of everything. The superproducer/recording artist/philanthropist/businessman keeps his hands in so many different pots, its sometimes difficult to succinctly describe in a few...
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Tim Westwood
The man who has held interviews with everyone from Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All and Snoop Dogg is one of hip hop's most well-known and powerful personalities in journalism. He's definitely the go-to personality...
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Russell Simmons
Forbes magazine estimated Simmons to have a net-worth estimate of $340 million as of April of 2011. His companies Phat Farm, Argyleculture and American Classics are cornerstones of the urban clothing industry and he...
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Swizz Beatz
A year after marrying superstar Alicia Keys and welcoming a new baby boy, superproducer Swizz Beatz didn't allow marital bliss to slow him down going into 2011. Swizz not only continued building one of the more...
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Sway
Being one of the longest-tenured and most-recognized journalists in hip hop has its perks, but MTV personality Sway has built his reputation on an easy-going demeanor and a knack for getting the biggest names to speak...
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Will.i.am
There are few artists, producers and personalities in hip hop as ubiquitous as will.i.am. The Black Eyed Peas frontman is a rapper, dancer, producer, activist, spokesperson, and admitted techie--and he showcases each facet...
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Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson
Questlove, as drummer of the acclaimed hip hop band The Roots, is one of the most respected figures in music in general and hip hop in particular. Questo was named one of 2011's Top Tweeters...
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Sean "Diddy" Combs
Combs was ranked #2 on Forbes Hip Hop Cash Kings list, behind Jay-Z. And while Jay have out-earned Combs in 2010 and 2011, he has not surpassed Diddy's overall wealth. Forbes ranked Combs #1 on its list of the Wealthiest...
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Marve Frazier
Bossip has built its reputation on vicious commentary on pop culture. And editor Marve Frazier has been the guiding force behind the site's exploding growth. She's also helped steer the development of Mogul Media...
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Abou Thiam
Abou Thiam is a star-maker and one of music's brightest young business minds. Nolonger dismissed as 'Akon's little brother,' Thiam, as VP of A&R for Def JamRecordings is one of music's most quietly powerful voices. After...
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Stephen Hill
BET is no longer the sole Black network dotting the landscape of American television, but that hasn't diminished its cache in the Black community nor its relevance to hip hop culture. As President of Music Programs and...
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Kevin Powell
Kevin Powell, a hip hop journalist, activist, community speaker and politician, has long been one of the more respected writers of his generation. He continued his work into 2011, speaking on panels around the country...
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No I.D.
No I.D. resumed his place as one of the most talked-about beatmakers in hip hop. The legendary Chicago hip hop producer has reunited with his longtime collaborator, rapper Common, for the upcoming album The...
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Fred Mwungagubunga
Fred Mwungagubunga's story epitomizes the Do-It-Yourself ethos of hip hop entrepreneurship. The founder of MediaTakeOut walked away from a career as a corporate lawyer to launch the world's most beloved...
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Harvey Levine
How did we exist for so long without TMZ? The gossip brand is one of the most cited entertainment news sources in the business. Since launching in 2005, the website and TV show have grown to become the most cutting-edge...
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Magic Johnson
Early in 2011, Magic Johnson Enterprises and investor Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Companies announced a strategic investment in Vibe Holdings LLC. Johnson himself was named Chairman of the company, which also...
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Ludacris
Ludacris is one of the hardest working men in hip hop. While the Atlanta rapper is prepping his forthcoming album Ludaversal for a late 2011 release, he's kept busy throughout the year with a myriad of business...
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Elliott Wilson
Since founding RapRadar back in 2009, Elliott Wilson has proven that he has the savvy to make the transition from respected print journalist to powerhouse of online media. Wilson has had tenures at VIBE and most notably was...
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"Grouchy" Greg Watkins
There are few brands in hip hop journalism as respected and popular as AllHipHop. Founder "Grouchy" Greg Watkins and his partner, Chuck "Jigsaw" Creekmur, founded the website in the late 90s and in the 2000s, it became...
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Rev. Run
Hip hop legends don't come much bigger than Run DMC, and Rev. Run has remained the more visible half of the surviving two members of the iconic rap group. Philanthropist, entrepreneur, motivational speaker...
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Kevin Liles
A hip hop power player for the better part of two decades, Kevin Liles continues to prove why he's been able to remain a respected mover-and-shaker in an industry notorious for short-lived careers. Liles has worked as...
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Necole Bitchie
With over 1.1 unique visitors, 3.78 million overall visitors and over 12 million page views per month, Necole Bitchie has become a go-to online destination for urban gossip and fashion commentary. Necole has grown...
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Lupe Fiasco
One of the most celebrated emcees in hip hop since he debuted back in 2006, Lupe Fiasco had never caught the mainstream's attention. That all changed in 2011, for a myriad of reasons. Fiasco's Lasers album finally...
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Rocsi
The sexy co-host of BET's hit show "106 & Park" is still one of the most popular and influential figures in hip hop for teens and twentysomethings. Rocsi and her cohost, Terrence J, provide a platform for artists to...
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Devyne Stephens
UpFront Megatainment music mogul Devyne Stephens is a Renaissance man. Actually, that cliche may be an understatement. He runs Dreamland, a huge 17- acre estate that is available for ultra exclusive events, weddings and...
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Sandra Rose
Blogging is not for the faint of heart. And Sandra Rose is many things; but 'faint of heart' is not one of them. The most controversial name in the urban blogosphere, Rose's website is known for its...
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Toure
Toure is still one of hip hop's most recognized commentators and one of the most respected journalists in the entertainment industry. He's written about rap and rappers for more than twenty years and via his blogging...
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Rocky Williform
Rocky Williform has proven himself to be one of the most forward-thinking minds in hip hop media and culture. The founder of micro-blogging media juggernaut HipHopBlog.com has made an indelible mark...
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Vanessa Satten
Vanessa Satten is Editor-In-Chief for hip hop's most respected publication, XXL Magazine. In her two years at the helm, Satten has landed some of the most controversial and entertaining personalities and stories in the...
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Q O'Denat
Lee "Q" O'Denat keeps WorldStarHipHop at the cutting edge of online hip hop news and gossip. O'Denat, a one-time homeless high school dropout, built the site from the ground up and now it's one of the biggest sites...
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Trae
One would be hard-pressed to find a more beloved rapper in Houston, TX than the man known as Trae the Truth. He's respected for his work ethic and gritty, honest rhymes, and has gone from upstart emcee to elder...
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