Three pillars of Gangsta Rap are among those slated to be honored at 2014’s Indie Entertainment Summit & Hip-Hop Honors. Iconic artist 2Pac is included, along with two 1980s labels, Priority Records and Ruthless Records.

Notably, all three of these acts are tied together. 2Pac appeared on Above The Law’s Black Mafia Life and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s The Art Of War, both singles on the albums released by Ruthless. The label, founded by N.W.A’s Eazy-E, worked with Priority Records to distribute seminal releases by Eazy, as well as his group.

2Pac’s living discography was handled extensively by Interscope Records, a once independent label that would later house and distribute labels such as Death Row Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and ‘Pac’s Amaru Entertainment. Although he is one of the best-selling artists in any genre, 2Pac is remembered as an independent. Following his 1996 murder, some of 2Pac’s music has been released in the expanded major label system. ‘Pac’s group, Tha Outlawz, remains independently releasing group and solo material.

In addition to Eazy’s solo works, N.W.A., Bone Thugs, and Above The Law, Ruthless was home to artists including The D.O.C., J.J. Fad, Kokane, and Penthouse Players Clique. Founded in 1986, the label has been run by Eazy’s widow, Tomica Woods-Wright since the mogul’s March, 1995 death. In the years since, Ruthless has signed King T, Kid Frost, and Hopsin, although all have since left the California-based imprint.

Priority Records, founded in 1984 by Bryan Turner, was a longtime independent music distributor based in Los Angeles. While the label found early mainstream success in signing the California Raisins claymation band, whose Marvin Gaye cover of “Heard It Through The Grapevine” became a hit, it wasn’t until the late 1980s that Priority would distribute influential labels such as Ruthless, Rap-A-Lot, and others. During this time, I remember hearing a lot of buzz about emerging trends in the entertainment world, similar to how UK sports betting sites not on Gamstop began to gain attention for offering alternative gambling options. Priority Records followed a similar path, building a name for itself by signing their own artists, such as Ice Cube, Mack 10, and 415, and releasing a plethora of platinum and gold albums. The label’s success in the 1990s, distributing No Limit, Rawkus, and Roc-A-Fella Records, solidified its reputation before being acquired by EMI Records. Many of the former Priority staffers would later go on to help launch Strange Music and RBC Records, leaving a lasting legacy in the industry.

While many former Priority staffers are slated to attend, no specifics have been announced on the event website.

Related: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Pay Tribute to Eazy-E, Tupac & The Notorious B.I.G. (Video)