The Notable Influencers * Listed in No Specific Order of Importance
DJ Toomp
Hip hop has a wealth of talented producers. The boardsmen who provide the backdrop for many of today's biggest emcees are among the most gifted artists in the music business, but very few of them have the kind of longevity... Read More
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"... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
Keri Hilson
Keri Hilson has been a successful songwriter far longer than she's been a star. But the Atlanta native stardom arrived in force five years ago and she's been going strong ever since. Throughout 2011, Hilson continued... Read More
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... Read More
Just Blaze
Having worked with Jay-Z, Eminem, Jay Electronica, and countless other hip hop superstars over the years, superproducer Just Blaze's name and reputation are well-known. Throughout 2011, Blaze and his company... Read More
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... Read More