Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969[1]), known by his stage name Diddy, is an American record producer, rapper, actor, men's fashion designer, entrepreneur and dancer. He won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally known as Puff Daddy and then as P. Diddy (Puff and Puffy being often used as a nickname, but never as recording names).
Bobby Ray Simmons (born November 15, 1988 in Decatur, Georgia), better known by his stage name B.o.B, is a Grammy Award-nominated American rapper, singer and producer signed to <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/T.I." class="bbcode_artist">T.I.</a>'s Grand Hustle Label and Atlantic Records. In 2007 he released his debut EP Eastside, and has since released another EP, 12th Dimension, and five mixtapes. His debut album, B.o.B Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray, was released in April 2010 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, Nothin' on You featuring <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Bruno+Mars" class="bbcode_artist">Bruno Mars</a>, peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Natassia Gail Zolot, better known by her stage name Kreayshawn, born September 24, 1989 in Oakland, California, United States, is an American hip hop singer-songwriter and up-and-coming music video director who rose to fame in 2011 (but has been active since 2008) with the release of her single, "Gucci Gucci", a rap anthem describing Zolot's disdain for designer labels. According to the Gucci Gucci Songfacts, the video generated nearly three million views in its first three weeks and led to a $1 million recording contract with Columbia Records In June 2011.
Michael Franti (born April 21, 1966, in Oakland, California) is an African, Irish, and German American poet, musician, and composer. Franti is the creator and driving force behind Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, folk, and rock. Franti was part of the industrial punk band The Beatnigs with DJ Rono Tse, which released a self-titled LP, and an EP Television on Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles Records.
Gary Grice (born August 22, 1966), better known by his stage name GZA ([ˈdʒɪzʌ]), is an American hip hop artist best known as a founding member of seminal hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan and for his inclusion on their group albums, his groupmates' solo releases and a successful solo career. Born in Staten Island, Grice developed an interest in hip-hop by attending block parties as a child in the late '70's.
Gary Grice (born August 22, 1966), better known by his stage name GZA (pronounced /ˈJizzah/) and The Genius, is an American hip hop artist best known as a founding member of the seminal hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan and for his inclusion on their group albums, his group mates' solo releases and a successful solo career. When it comes to thought provoking, street-bred raw lyricism, the Wu-Tang Clan's fountain of wisdom, GZA takes his job very seriously. The way he crafts his double-edged rhyme flow mirrors the skill and precise technique of one who works with fine ceramics.
DJ Mehdi (born Mehdi Favéris-Essadi in 1977) is a french DJ since 1992, who began in the rap band Ideal J (with Kery James). He also spun for 113. He created the label "Espionnage", with names like Rohff, Rocé, Karlito, Dj Feadz, and Zdar (Cassius).
He has also worked with Assassin, MC Solaar and Keziah Jones. Mehdi took part in several Original Soundtracks such as "Femme Fatale" (De Palma) and "Rois et Reines" (Arnaud Desplechin).
From label boss, hit producer, World Champion DJ, trendsetter, genre-mangling party-starter, to blogger extraordinaire, Alain Macklovitch, best known as A-Trak, embodies the full scope of the 21st Century musician-entrepreneur model. At the mere age of 26, A-Trak has had two distinct phases to his winding 11 year career. Stage one: after winning the World DMCs at age 15 (in 1997), he spent years as one of hip hop’s most renowned selectors.
Lord Finesse is a Hip Hop artist and producer, hailing from The Bronx, New York. In 1989, Finesse, and his former partner DJ Mike Smooth, signed to Wild Pitch Records, home to other popular Hip Hop artists like Gang Starr, Main Source, Chill Rob G, Percee P, and O.C.. In 1990, the duo released their debut album Funky Technician. He was hailed for his strong lyrical ability and clever punchline delivery. The album featured production from future star beat-makers DJ Premier, Diamond D and Showbiz. Finesse became the leader of the popular New York underground crew d.