1 Jay Z (1986) is best known for his debut album "Reasonable Doubt" and being the first hip hop billionaire. He is also the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriter Hall Of Fame.
2 Eminem (1988) is best known for his debut album "Infinite" and for breaking the racial barriers for the acceptance of white rappers in popular music.
3 Cypress Hill (1988) is best known for being considered the main originators of West Coast and 1990s hip hop and for being huge advocates for recreational and medical use of cannabis in the US. They are also the first hip hop group to have a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Members include B-Real, Sen Dog, and Eric Bobo.
4 Poor Righteous Teachers (1989) is best known for their political rap style and the lead MC, Wise Intelligent is known as one of the most creative MCs of all time.
5 Nas (1991) is best known for his debut album "Illmatic" that later was inducted into the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry and is considered the greatest rap album of all time. He is also the son of jazz musician, Olu Dara.
6 Missy Eliot (1991) is best known for being the "Queen Of Rap" by media outlets and her debut album "Supa Dupa Fly" which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, being the highest charting debut for a female rapper at the time.
7 Tupac (1991 - 1997) is best known for being one of the most influential rappers of all time and for being a figure in West Coast hip hop for his conscious rap lyrics. He is also widely known for acting in movies like "Juice" and "Poetic Justice."
8 Mobb Deep (1991) is best known for their hit single "Shook Ones (PART II)" and for being some of the main originators of hardcore "east coast hip hop." They are one of the most successful rap duos of all time. Members include Havoc and Prodigy.
9 Da Brat (1992) is best known for being signed to So So Def Records and her debut album "Funkafied" which sold one million copies making her the first female solo rap act to receive a platinum certification.
10 Snoop Dogg (1992) is best known for his debut album "Doggystyle" produced by Dr Dre and acting in movies like Mac And Devin Go To High School." He has many awards including the Primetime Emmy Award and 17 Grammy Nominations.
11 Wu Tang Clan (1992) is best known for their debut album "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" and for popularizing the "east coast hip hop" and "hardcore style rap." Members include Method Man, RZA, Ghostface Killah, and others.
12 Notorious BIG (1992 - 1997) is best known for his debut album "Ready To Die" and for being signed to Bad Boy Records. In 1995 he was awarded Rapper Of The Year at the Billboard Music Awards and In 2020, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
13 Big L (1992 - 1999) is best known for his debut album "Lifesylez ov da Poor & Dangerous" and is considered one of the most auspicious storytellers and greatest punchline rappers of all time.
14 Lil Kim (1994) is best known for her debut album "Hardcore" which spawned 3 hit singles, "Not Tonight (Ladies Night)", "Crush On You", and "No Time." Her debut had the highest debut in the US for a female rap album at the time.
15 Black Star (1996) is best known for their debut album "Talib Kwali and Mos Def Are Black Star" and for shaping underground alternative rap, bringing it into the mainstream. Members include Mos Def (Yasiin Bey) and Talib Kwali.
