The Business 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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Debra Lee
BET continues to be the primary entertainment source for African American music and culture on television. Chairwoman and CEO Debra Lee is at the helm of the iconic network, and understands the tremendous responsibility...
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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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Marshall "Eminem" Mathers
For anyone that missed Eminem's comeback in 2010, the Detroit rap superstar carried the momentum into 2011 and continued to ride a wave of goodwill that sustained him throughout the year. His 2010 album, Recovery was...
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Dr. Dre
While fans are still awaiting the release of his next magnum opus, Detox, Dr. Dre finally whet their appetites with the release of a couple of singles in 2011 that reminded everyone just how brilliant the good doctor...
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Cortez Bryant
One of the most powerful, yet below-the-radar men in hip hop is Cortez Bryant. As manager for Lil Wayne, Bryant shepherds the career of one of the biggest stars in music. As Chief Visionary Officer of Young Money Entertainment...
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Rick Ross
In 2011, Rick Ross continued his push from Miami rap sensation, to bonafide star, to hip hop mogul-in-the-making. Ross continued to reap the commercial rewards of his blockbuster 2010 album, Teflon Don, but also proved...
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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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Jermaine Hall
Jermaine Hall has steered VIBE magazine back to the forefront of hip hop and pop music and culture. The magazine Editor-In-Chief, Hall has been guiding the iconic magazine brand for the better part of two years and in 2011...
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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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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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Julie Greenwald
Atlantic Records president Julie Greenwald may have begun her career as an assistant to Lyor Cohen, but she has grown into one of the industry's smartest and most powerful executives. As President of one of music's most...
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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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Michael Rapino
Live Nation is one of the most powerful entities in entertainment. Since it's merger with Ticketmaster, it has become the foremost brand in concerts and promotion, as well as providing managerial services for some of...
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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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J. Prince
J. Prince is the Godfather of Southern Hip Hop. As founder of Houston's Rap-A-Lot Records, Prince has had a hand in some of the region's most legendary figures, ranging from the Geto Boys and Scarface to UGK. The label...
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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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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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Soulja Boy
In a year full of ups and downs, Soulja Boy was still one of the most talked-about artists in hip hop. The Atlanta rapper was the subject of seemingly-constant media scrutiny throughout 2011; whether it was because...
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Craig Kallman
As Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records, Craig Kallman heads one of the music industry's most powerful labels. Home to acts like T.I., Wiz Khalifa and countless others, Kallman and Atlantic house some of music's...
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Bryan "Birdman"
Listed as the fifth richest man in hip hop by Forbes Magazine, Bryan "Birdman" Williams, alongside his more low-profile brother Ronald "Slim" Williams, sits atop the Cash Money Records empire, which has three of the biggest...
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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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Jimmy Iovine
Jimmy Iovine has had a hand in the careers of everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Snoop Dogg to Eminem to Lady Gaga. An industry vet with over 35 years experience in music on a myriad of levels, Iovine is one of the most power...
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Dwayne "Lil Wayne"
Lil Wayne may have spent much of 2010 incarcerated, but he returned to the music industry reinvigorated and wasted no time reclaiming his spot at the head of hip hop's table. Wayne's Young Money imprint continued to be a...
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Lyor Cohen
Lyor Cohen is the North American Chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group, which means he runs one of the most successful and powerful record labels in the largest media market in the world. A veteran of the music...
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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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Alfred Liggins III
CEO & President of Radio One, a comprehensive radio, television and online network serving African-American audiences, Alfred Liggins III casts a long shadow of influence over African American entertainment. Responsible for...
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L.A. Reid
Long one of the music industry's most powerful and respected executives in music, L.A. Reid had an eventful 2011 that could prove to have ongoing ramifications in the world of entertainment. Reid departed Island Def...
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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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David Mays
As print publications continue to flounder, Hip Hop Weekly has proven its staying power by remaining true to its roots and maintaining its street aesthetic. Founder David Mays has helped steer the publication and its unique...
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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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Eskay
Nah Right remained on the cutting edge of hip hop news and culture throughout 2010 and 2011. Founder Ahsmi "Eskay" Rawlins is the mastermind behind a digital powerhouse that's been celebrated by Rolling Stone...
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Tech N9ne
Indie rapper Tech N9ne has proven that you can build a thriving reputation and career without succumbing to the major label machine. The Kansas City, Missouri rapper has quietly become an indie mainstay and one of the...
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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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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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Julia Beverly
Julia Beverly knows everyone in hip hop. Growing Ozone Magazine from a local publication to an internationally-recognized brand was no easy feat, but Beverly parlayed a love for southern hip hop and an unparalleled work...
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DJ Drama
DJ Drama has made himself one of the most recognized DJs in hip hop. There isn't a more respected mixture DJ in hip hop than Drama, and he maintains that status by maintaining strong ties to seemingly everyone in the rap game...
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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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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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Steve Stoute
Steve Stoute is an industry veteran who's name evokes respect and who's reputation for being an upfront and knowledgeable mover-and-shaker is welldeserved. Having made his career working with some of the industry's...
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Barry Weiss
As the chairman and CEO of Island/Def Jam, Barry Weiss sits at the head of hip hop's most iconic record label. Nonetheless, it is never easy to replace a legend-- and that's just what Weiss has had to do at Def Jam. Weiss...
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Lucian Grainge
Stepping into the shoes of the legendary Doug Morris was no easy task, but Lucian Grainge was up to the challenge. As the new head of Universal Music Group, Grainge takes the helm of one of the biggest labels in music....
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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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