AKA: DMX

Dec 18, 1970 - April 9, 2021 
He was an emcee, song writer and an actor from Yonkers. His critically acclaimed album Its Dark And Hell Is Hot sold 250,000 records the first week it was released in 1998. DMX's 7 albums sold more than 23 million copies. He worked with countless artists including Jay z, Nas, Mary J Blige, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes and Red Man. DMX appeared in several movies such as Belly, Romeo Must Die, Cradle To The Grave and Top 5. He is considered one of the top selling as well as greatest Hip Hop artists ever. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Big Pun

Nov 10, 1971 - Feb 7, 2000 
Despite the time of his career, Pun was considered one of the greatest emcees in Hip Hop. Discovered by Fat Joe,Big Pun was featured on the album Jealous Ones Envy in 1995. Puns critically acclaimed album Capitol Punishment came out in 98, establishing him as the first solo Latino artist to go platinum. Big Pun during his career worked with best friend Cuban Link on the Beat Nuts hit record Off The Books, as well as artists KRS One, Kool G Rap, Black Thought, Noreaga  and several others. He continues to inspire and was given the great honor in 2021 of having a street in the Bronx renamed Big Pun Plaza. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Ecstasy

Jun 7, 1964 - Dec 23, 2020 

He was born and raised in Brooklyn. Ecstasy co-founded the group Whodini with Jalil in the early 80s. Grand Master Dee joined soon after. During his career Whodini became one of the first sex symbols in Hip Hop and one of the first groups to use dancers on stage. Kangol and Doctor Ice would branch off to form UTFO. Ex was known for his golden voice and his trade mark wide brimmed hats. He and his group were great mentors and inspired many other artists that came after them. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Big L

May 30,1974 - Feb 15,1999

An emcee and songwriter from Harlem
NY, Big L founded the group Children Of The Corn in the early 90s with Camron, Mase and Bloodshed. His first single in 92, called Yes You May was with Lord Finesse. A couple of years later Big L would become a member of the crew Digging In The Crates. One of his best known songs Ebonics came out in 98 to critical acclaim! Big L was known for his multi syllabic rhyme style and word play! Big L is the subject of documentaries celebrating the great influence he had on the culture in a such a short time rhyming!

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Prince Markie Dee

Feb 19, 1968 - Feb 18, 2021

He was an emcee, producer, song writer, actor and radio personality from Brooklyn NY. Mark co founded the Disco 3 which became the incredible group The Fat Boys. He was featured in the movies Krush Groove and The Disorderlies. Around 2008, Prince Markie Dee started working as a radio personality in Miami. He also produced songs for Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J Blige, Ariana Grande and many more. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Shock G

Aug 25, 1963 - April 22, 2021

He was an emcee, producer, musician and lead vocalist who founded the group Digital Underground. Shock G was born in Brooklyn but moved back and forth from Tampa to NY during his childhood. Studied music and after college , Shock G moved to Oakland and created Digital Underground, who sound was heavily influenced by funk music. He gave 2pac his first feature on the track Same Song, which was featured in the movie Nothing But Trouble. 2pac returned the favor a couple years later and Shock G produced and was featured along with Money B on the smash record I Get Around. He also produced Pac's record So Many Tears along with songs by Prince, Bobby Brown and other artists. 

Feb 19, 1968 - Feb 18, 2021

He was an emcee, producer, song writer, actor and radio personality from Brooklyn NY. Mark co founded the Disco 3 which became the incredible group The Fat Boys. He was featured in the movies Krush Groove and The Disorderlies. Around 2008, Prince Markie Dee started working as a radio personality in Miami. He also produced songs for Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J Blige, Ariana Grande and many more. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Black Rob

July 12, 1969 - April 17, 2021

He was an emcee who grew up in Harlem. Rob was signed to Diddy's label, Bad Boy in the mid 90s. In 2000, his single Whoa was a huge hit and reached the top 10 on Billboards R and B/Hip Hop charts. Black Rob's vocal were featured on several remixes including 112 and Total. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Malik B

Nov 14, 1972 - July 29, 2020

Founding Member of the Roots

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Soulja Slim 

Sept 9, 1977 - Nov 26, 2003

An emcee from New Orleans

Hit record "Slow Motion"

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Dolla

Nov 25,1987 - May 18, 2009

Dolla started in 2000 as an emcee from Chicago with Da Raskalz Cru. In 07 he signed a solo deal with Akons Konvict Music label.

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Proof

Oct 2, 1973 - April 11, 2006

Emcee / Actor

Member of D12 and other groups,
Worked as Eminem's hypeman

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Apache

Dec 26, 1964 - Jan 22, 2010

Hit record "Gangsta B***h".

Featured artist on albums by Queen Latifah, Naughty by Nature, Fat Joe

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Big Hawk

Nov 15, 1969 - May 1, 2006

Emcee and Founding member of "The Screwed Up Click" with the late DJ Screw

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Cowboy

Sept 20, 1960 - Sept 8, 1989

Cowboy is credited with pioneering the call and response style of getting the audience involved. He joined Grand Master Flash And The Furious 5 in the mid 70s. The group was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 and they just received a lifetime achievement award in 2021 from the Grammys.  

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: MCA

Aug 5, 1964 - May 4, 2012

Emcee, bass player, filmmaker and a founding member of the hip hop group Beastie Boys.  He directed many of Beastie Boys' music videos, often under the pseudonym Nathaniel Hörnblowér.  Yauch created Oscilloscope Laboratories and directed, produced and distributed several films.  He organized the Tibetan Freedom concert and founded the Milarepa Fund, a nonprofit organization devoted to Tibetan independence. 

Submitted by: Steven Blum

AKA: Guru

July 17, 1961 - April 29, 2010

Born in Roxbury MA, Guru was an emcee, producer and actor who moved to Brooklyn, where he met DJ Premier. They formed the group Gangstarr. Their first 3 albums were critically acclaimed, leading to  collaborations with Nice n Smooth, Inspecktah Deck, Donald Byrd, Chaka Kahn, Roy Ayers and many more artists. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Lord Infamous

Nov 17, 1973 - Dec 20, 2013

Founding member from Memphis of the group Three 6 Mafia. He helped father the style of emceeing called horror core. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Dota Rock 

Sept 15, 1961- Feb 4, 2015

He was one of Bronx first emcees. Started rhyming with the Mighty Force, then the Cold Crush Brothers and wound up joining the Fantastic 5 in the late 70s with DJ Grand Wizzard Theodore and Kevie Kev Rockwell. He was featured in Hip Hop's first movie Wild Style in the classic basketball game/rhyme battle with their chief rivals The Cold Crush Brothers. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: MC Breed  

June 12, 1971 - Nov 22, 2008

He was an emcee from Flint Michigan. Breed had 2 hit records Ain’t No Future In Your Frontin and Gotta Get Mine featuring 2pac. He also worked with Doctor Dre, Ice Cube and Pimp C. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Stezo

March 10, 1968 - April 29, 2020

Born in New Haven CT, Stezo originally was a dancer for EPMD. He was featured in their video You Gots To Chill. Stezo was inspired and became an emcee and producer. He had 2 hit records To The Max and Its My Turn. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Mac Dre

July 5,1970 - Nov 1, 2004

He was born in the Bay Area and was instrumental in the emergence of hyphy, which was a cultural movement in the San Fran/Oakland area. Mac's music very much was relatable to his life in the streets. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Fresh Kid Ice

May 29, 1964 - July 13, 2017

Credited as the first Asian American emcee and co founder of the group 2 Live Crew.  He was born in Trinidad and Tobago. Fresh moved to Brooklyn at 12 years old. He enlisted in the Air Force in California , where he met Vee and Mr Mixx. They formed 2 Live Crew and their first few singles attracted the attention of Luke. He eventually joined the group and all of them moved to Miami. Their single Me So Horny made them a controversial but well known platinum selling group.

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Mercury 

Dec 19, 1964 - March 9, 1995

He was an original member of the Force MDs, who came from Staten Island. They were one of the first groups to sing and rhyme on their songs. Their top 10 hit Tender Love was featured in the movie Krush Groove. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Hussein Fatal

April 3, 1973 - July 10, 2015

He was a good friend of Tupac’s, who formed a group called The Outlawz. Fatal made his debut on Pac's album All Eyez On Me. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Mac Daddy 

Aug 11, 1978 - May 1, 2013

He was one half of the group Kriss Kross. They were discovered and produced in Atlanta by Jermaine Dupri. They had a hit record called Jump, which made them the youngest group to go platinum at the age of 12 years old. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Ol' Dirty Bastard  

Nov 15, 1968 - Nov 13, 2004

ODB was one of the founding members of Wutang Clan with his cousin Rza. Russell was from Fort Greene Brooklyn, while most of the crew were from Staten Island. ODB became the second member to start a solo career with the album Return To The 36 Chambers. He quickly gained intrigue from his comical yet unstable rhyme style.. Half singing mixed in with half rhyming. One of the most interesting collaborations ever was with ODB rhyming on Mariah Carey’s song Fantasy. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Easy E   

Sept 7, 1964 - March 26, 1995

Easy E was a songwriter, producer and entrepreneur from Compton who helped propel West Coast rap. With his group NWA , pushed lyrical content with their controversial album Straight Outta Compton in 1988. Their videos were banned from MTV and very few radio station played their music. However, Easy E and his groups album was certified platinum in less than a year. Easy E signed the group Bone Thugs and Harmony from Cleveland to his Ruthless Records label. Due to the legacy of NWA first album , a movie with the same name came out about 5 years ago! To this day it’s still a critically acclaimed that continues ton inspire many. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Heavy D   

May 24, 1967 - Nov 8, 2011

Born in the country of Jamaica, Heavy D moved to Mount Vernon at a young age. He was the first artist to be signed to Uptown Records. Heavy was one of the first emcees to combine fun, love and socially conscious lyrics in his music. He was featured on both Michael and Janet Jackson’s songs and Heavy D worked with his cousin Pete Rock, Teddy Riley, Q Tip and many others. He wrote the theme song for the show In Living Colour as well as discovered singers Monifah and Soul For Real. Heavy D also produced several songs on Soul For Reals album and was also given the position of President of Uptown Records. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Lil Marlo 

May 1, 1990 - July 11, 2020

He was an emcee from Atlanta who released his first mixtape The Wire in 2017. His music created a buzz that allowed him to perform all over the country and he released music videos from the you tube channel he created. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: The Jacka

Aug 12, 1977 - Feb 2, 2015

He was an emcee from the Bay Area who was part of the group Mob Figaz in the late 90s. After awhile, The Jacka left and his solo album Tear Gas in 2009 emphasized how difficult life can be. He also focused on morality. The Jacka’s music definitely impacted many in the Bay Area. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Scientifik

July 24, 1972 - June 4, 1998

He grew up in Lawrence MA, 30 miles from Boston and in 1990 had an epic battle with Ed OG. Ed was an up and coming emcee as well. After the battle they supported each other when Ed’s album dropped in 1991 and Scientifiks in 94. Ed OG in fact produced the album Criminal for Scientifik. His lyricism impressed many fans in Boston and caught the ear of Diamond D. Diamond produced the track Boston. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Mac Miller 

Jan 19, 1992 - Sept 7, 2018

Mac Miller was an emcee, song writer, and producer from Pittsburg PA. At 14 years old, he made a name for himself in the freestyle game. In 2010 Mac attracted national attention with his K.I.D.S mix tape. 2 years later he moved to LA and produced the album Macadelic. His next couple albums revealed his problems with substance abuse which really connected him to his growing fan base. Mac Miller had a wide array of friends in the music business and worked with John Mayer, Thunder cat, School Bit Q and many others. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: MC Trouble  

July 30, 1970 - June 4,1991

She was from LA and was the first female emcee to be signed to Motown. MC Trouble was an actress and producer. She had a hit record in 1990 called I Wanna Make You Mine with r and b group The Good Girls. Trouble owned a production called Rogers Connection. She produced all her songs on the album Gotta Get A Grip.

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd

AKA: Freaky Tah 

May 14, 1971 - March 28, 1999

Freaky Tah was an emcee, hype man and promoter. He was a member of The Lost Boyz in Southside Queens in the mid 90s. Tah was featured on their first album Legal Drug Money in 1996. The album went gold and was followed up by Love Peace And Nappiness. 

Submitted by: Jeffrey Boyd