A Tribe Called Quest is an American rap group of the 1990s, formed in 1988. The group is composed of rappers Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A fourth member, rapper Jarobi White, left the group after their first album but occasionally tours with the group. They released five albums during their ten-year career, three of which were very highly acclaimed, and disbanded in 1998. In 2006, the group reunited and toured the US.

Mobb Deep are a hip hop duo made up of Havoc and Prodigy. They are perhaps most famous for their landmark album "The Infamous", and for their accompanying hit single, "Shook Ones Pt. II".

Boot Camp Clik is a American hip hop supergroup from Brooklyn, New York. The group consists of Buckshot (of Black Moon), Smif-N-Wessun, also known as Cocoa Brovaz (Tek and Steele), Heltah Skeltah (Rock and Ruck, aka Sean Price) and O.G.C. (Originoo Gunn Clappaz) (Starang Wondah, Top Dog, and Louieville Sluggah). Though commercial success has largely eluded them, the Camp has gained a large following in the underground rap community.

Little Brother is an American hip-hop group from North Carolina that consists of Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh. Producer 9th Wonder was a part of the group since its inception, but left before recording the album "Getback". Their debut album "The Listening" (2003) was highly acclaimed, and was followed by "The Chittlin Circuit 1.5" mixtape in 2005 and the group's second album, "The Minstrel Show", also released in 2005.

Heltah Skeltah is a hip hop duo consisting of members Rock (aka Da Rockness Monstah) and Ruck (aka Sean Price). The two are members of New York Hip Hop supergroup Boot Camp Clik, along with Buckshot, Smif-N-Wessun and O.G.C..

Boyz n da Hood is an American Southern hardcore rap quartet from Atlanta, Georgia. Current members of the group are Lee "Duke" Dixon, Miguel "Big Gee" Scott, Jacoby "Jody Breeze" White, and Gorilla Zoe. They are currently signed to Diddy's Bad Boy Records. American rapper Young Jeezy was formerly in the group, and left to pursue his solo career on Def Jam. Rappers Lil' Wayne, Rick Ross, and T.I. were rumored as the members that were to replace Young Jeezy, …

The Diplomats are a Harlem, New York-based hip hop group who are more commonly known as Dipset. The group was formed in 2002 by founding members Cam'ron, Jim Jones and Juelz Santana. Since its formation, The Diplomats have grown significantly and have expanded the group to well over 40 members and affiliates. All member albums are released under Diplomat Records to which Cam'ron and Jim Jones are Co-CEO's.

Smif-N-Wessun (aka Cocoa Brovaz) is a hip hop duo consisting of members Tek and Steele. Smif-N-Wessun are 2/5 of the Brooklyn supergroup Boot Camp Clik, with Buckshot, Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C.

The Fab 5 is a Hip Hop group, consisting of Heltah Skeltah (Rock and Ruck) and O.G.C. (Starang Wondah, Louieville Sluggah and Top Dog). The group joined the Boot Camp Clik and signed a record deal with Duck Down Records in 1995. They released their debut single "Blah" b/w "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka" later that year, with the B-Side "Leflah" becoming a surprise Billboard Hot 100 hit in 1995. The two groups split up to release separate debut albums in 1996, …

EPMD is an American rap group from Brentwood, New York, active from 1987 to 1999 (Now Reunited in 2006); one of the prominent acts in East coast hip hop. The group's name is an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars", referencing its members: rappers Erick Sermon ("E Double") and Parrish Smith ("PMD"). Diamond J, DJ K La Boss, and later DJ Scratch were DJs for the group.

The Juice Crew was a pioneering hip-hop collective in the mid to late 1980s founded by producer Marley Marl and housed by the label Cold Chillin' Records. The group's name was derived from radio DJ Mr. Magic's alias, "Sir Juice". The Juice Crew first grabbed at notoriety with a single entitled "The Bridge", which sparked a long time rivalry between the largely Queens-based crew and the Bronx rapper KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions.

Das EFX is an American hip-hop group. It consists of rappers Skoob (also known as Books, born Willie Hines on January 2, 1971) and Dre (also known as Krazy Drayzy, born Andre Weston on June 1, 1972). They rose to popularity in the early 1990s due to their affiliation with EPMD's Hit Squad and the group's stream of consciousness lyrical delivery, …

Lumberjacks is the hip hop duo between T-Mo and Khujo of the Atlanta rapping pioneers Goodie Mob. Contrary to popular belief, the Lumberjacks were put together before the entire Goodie Mob group. Khujo and T-Mo formed a duo in high school before joining Cee-Lo and Big Gipp later to form the aforementioned supergroup. The never released an album under the "Lumberjacks" moniker though until 2005 with "Livin' Life as Lumberjacks", which failed to chart.

Field Mob is a hip hop group from Albany, Georgia. They have recently signed with Ludacris and his Disturbing tha Peace record label.

Dem Franchize Boyz are an American hip hop group from Atlanta signed to So So Def Records. The group comprises four members: Gerald Tiller (a.k.a. Buddie, born 1983), Maurice Gleaton (a.k.a. Parlae, born 1983), Jamal Willingham (a.k.a. Pimpin, born 1984,) and Bernard Leverette (a.k.a. Jizzal Man, born 1983). They debuted with the poverty-stricken urban anthem "White Tee" and have more recently appreciated radio airplay with their singles "Oh, …

The Fu-Schnickens are a hip-hop trio. Similar to Das Efx for their cartoonish lyrics and near-constant allusions to pop culture staples, the Fu-Schnickens' popularity was brief but significant in hip hop history. Their best known track is 1993's "What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)," featuring basketball star Shaquille O'Neal, which was a Top 40 hit.

"Infamous Mobb", also known as "IM3", is a hip hop group from Queensbridge in Queens, New York, composed of members Ty Nitty, Twin Gambino and Godfather, Pt. III. Their style is similar to that of their Queensbridge affiliates Mobb Deep. Infamous Mobb first appeared on Mobb Deep's album "Hell On Earth". They also appeared on "Murda Muzik" and "Infamy", as well as many mixtapes.

Kinfolk Thugs is a rap group native of Memphis, Tennessee. Having been influenced by many of their city's rap artists like 8 Ball & MJG, Three 6 Mafia, Al Kapone, Playa Fly, Taylor Boyz, & Gangsta Pat, Kinfolk Thugs are known for their gritty depiction of the harsh ghetto life as well as their cockey yet laid back flow combined with a distanct southern gangsta style. Through this, they have risen to be amoung the top independent artists of the South.

Native Deen is a hip-hop trio band of Muslim musicians. It consists of three young Muslim men who were born and raised in America. Joshua Salaam, Naeem Muhammad, and Abdul-Malik Ahmad who grew up in Washington, DC. Their music seeks to inspire young people to keep their faith amid the pressures and temptations of modern life. "Deen" in Arabic means religion or way of life.

The Ultramagnetic MC's are a rap group whose members are Kool Keith, Ced Gee, TR Love, Moe Love and later Tim Dog. A former member was Rooney Roon but he got kicked out. Their work was associated with unorthodox sampling, polysyllabic rhymes, and bizarre lyrical imagery.

stic.man (born Clayton Gavin, 1975, Shadeville, Florida, USA) is a rapper, activist and author known for his work as one half of the political hip-hop duo dead prez. He is known largely for their hard-hitting style and politically active lyrics, focusing on racism, critical pedagogy, activism against governmental hypocrisy, and corporate control over the media, especially hip-hop record labels. dead prez made their stance clear on their first album, …

O.G.C. debuted on Smif-N-Wessun's 1995 album "Dah Shinin'", appearing on the tracks "Sound Bwoy Bureill" and "Cession At Da Doghillee". Later in 1995, they teamed up with Heltah Skeltah to form The Fab 5, and released the single "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka", which became a Billboard Hot 100 hit, peaking at #75 on the chart. In October 1996, they released their debut album "Da Storm", which went on to sell 250,000 in the United States.

Audio Two were the Brooklyn, New York hip hop duo of rapper Kirk "Milk Dee" Robinson and DJ Nat "Gizmo" Robinson, most famous for their first hit, the classic "Top Billin'". They are also the older brothers of female rap star MC Lyte. Their debut single "Make It Funky" was released in 1987, but it was the b-side "Top Billin'" that hit, making not only the group instant stars but a deep cultural impact on hip hop.

In the mid seventies, in the area of the South Bronx known as Soundview Houses, the story of Hip hop music pioneers, the "Jazzy Five" MC’s begins. Their founder, the 1st and best rapper in the Soundview area at the time, MC Sundance, was an MC with Disco King Mario along with Charlie Choo and the Master Bee. DJ Jazzy Jay was Mario’s DJ at the time. MC Sundance and Jazzy Jay became good friends, …

Jon Boy, also known as Jonny Boy (born Jon Wertz), is an American rapper from Reedville, Virginia, originally from Baltimore. The 5'10", brown-eyed, 175 pound rapper is also known for his producing skills. He was the executive producer for both of the High Rolla Records albums. He is the current owner of Lucky 7s Recording Studio and CEO of High Rolla Records.

The United Streets Dopeboyz of America also known as USDA, is a hip hop trio from Atlanta. The group's founder, Atlanta-based rapper Young Jeezy, officially brought the group mainstream after his departure from Boyz N Da Hood.

D4L is a rap group from Atlanta, Georgia who are best known for their #1 hit Laffy Taffy. The members are Fa-bo, Mook-B, Stoner and Shawty Lo.

Clipse is a Virginia based (via The Bronx) hip hop duo. Formed by brothers Malice (born Gene Thornton in 1972, in The Bronx, New York) and Pusha-T (born Terrence Thornton in 1977, in The Bronx, New York) in 1992, they are best known for their 2002 hit single "Grindin'" and their affiliation with multi-platinum production team, The Neptunes.

M.O.P.'s fanbase was loyal but remained rather small until 2000, when they released "Warriorz", this time on Loud Records. Mainstream radio began playing the first single, "Ante Up", produced by DR Period whom they had not worked with since their debut. The single, containing a sample from Sam & Dave's "Soul Sister, Brown Sugar", was a major radio hit and propelled the album to #25 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart.