Along with fellow Harlem-based player Camron Jim Jones founded the Diplomat label home to the DiplomatsDipset and many of that crews prolific solo activities Though more of a businessman and behind-the-scenes figure than an MC he was also named a dir…

Fergie fits in between a diminishing trance scene and the radical advent of UK garage with an uncomplicated take on hard house ethics Beginning his DJ career at the age of 14 and taken through the clubland ranks with the help of Tony De Vit Fergie ma…

The third group to be put together through the reality television series Making the Band -- O-Town being the first Da Band being the second -- Danity Kanes membership includes five women who beat out hundreds of hopefuls Chosen by music mogul and Bad…

Friends Cadillac Don born Donald Sharp and J-Money born Tiyon Rogers grew up in Crawford MS listening to blues and RB but soon were drawn to the more aggressive nature of rap Both attended college on baseball scholarships but an injury sidelined J-Mo…

Pop-oriented RB vocalist Chris Brown debuted with the Scott Storch-produced Run It and became the first male solo artist to release a single that went straight to the top of the Billboard singles chart Only 16 at the time Brown came from a small town…

Songwriter arranger and vocalist Ne-Yo -- born Shaffer Smith -- was born in Arkansas and raised in Las Vegas NV His start in the music industry came as a songwriter Prior to exiting his teenage years he penned material for Youngstown and broke throug…

St Louis-based Jibbs began writing raps at an early age in an effort to impress his older brother DJ Beatz who was gaining a reputation locally producing tracks for Nelly and Chingy The results so impressed his brother that he invited Jibbs into the …

Rapper Lil Boosies hard Southern style comes from growing up in one of Baton Rouge LAs more notorious neighborhoods one that was known for drugs and gunplay Not having his father in his life was another challenge but things began moving in a positive…

Atlanta rap foursome Dem Franchize Boyz are purveyors of their own self-described style of "laid back crunk"--or "snap music" as it's often known--a woozier, less hyperactive version of the popular southern rap genre. Just how laid back the club get…