"The name Kane is superior to many people. It means King Asiatic Nobody's Equal." No truer words were ever spoken, even though they were from the man, himself. Along with Rakim, Kane has had one of the most enduring influences on Hip-Hop as we know it today, having been one... Read more

"Me, I'm supa fly!" With those 4 words, Missy Elliott changed the landscape of Hip-Hop, particularly its depiction of women, forever. In 1997, Missy burst onto the scene with her single The Rain and brought a new sing-songy flow, effortlessly shifting from singing to rhyming then back again, as well... Read more

Pete Rock has long gotten credit for being one of the most influential hip-hop producers of all time. Recently, there has also been a bit of a spike in interest in Pete Rock & CL Smooth, particularly in light of their announcement that they are remaking their classic Mecca &... Read more

All hail the Queen...Latifah, that is. As one of the first ladies of hip-hop, she blazed the trail not only for women MCs but also for positivity and self-respect in hip-hop. After nearly 25 years in the game, her reign continues as an artist, actress and overall luminary. Today, we... Read more

Dante Smith. Mos Def. Yasiin Bey. No matter the name, it still equals the same result--DOPE MC. The gifted rapper, singer and actor has been in the game for more than 20 years both as a solo artist and as a member of groups like Urban Thermo Dynamics and, of... Read more

Having been in the game 25 years strong, there is still no MC (male or female) who rhymes harder than MC Lyte. She is the latest hip-hop Living Legend who's contribution to the culture we celebrate. Check out the (mostly) video playlist of some of Lyte's toughest joints below. Related:... Read more

Although she is arguably THE GREATEST DOUBLE THREAT OF ALL TIME (MC and singer--and let's not forget actor...), people still sometimes forget just how incredible an artist Lauryn Hill is. Not here, not today. Here's a playlist celebrating the illustrious career of Living Legend Lauryn Hill. Listen to the playlist... Read more

After more than 25 years in the game, there is no question the OG Ice Cube is a living legend. Before acting, producing and becoming a media mogul, Cube was one of the most powerful and political voices in hip-hop. During a time of raging gang wars, police brutality and... Read more

As we approach the 24th anniversary of the release of De La Soul's game-changing 3 Feet High and Rising album (released in March 1989), it's just plain ridiculous how little recognition they get as one of the greatest hip-hop groups of all time. Not only did De La revolutionize the... Read more

There are few MCs that are more overlooked in discussions of the great ones than Grand Puba. Whether solo or as part of Brand Nubian, Puba's buttery and distinctive flow always leaps out and makes an incredible impression. Here's a (mostly video) playlist celebrating the one and only Grand Puba... Read more

Clifford Smith. Johnny Blaze. Tical. No matter the moniker used, after nearly 20 years of shredding mics, Method Man is the epitome of a hip-hop Living Legend. He is the latest hip-hop icon we recognize in our series where we celebrate our legends while we still have them. Here's a... Read more

Mary J. Blige is not an MC...but she has been the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul for more than 20 years. She is the next artist we salute as part of our Living Legends series where we celebrate the careers of our hip-hop icons while we still have them. Here's a... Read more

If Common had stopped rhyming in the NINETIES he'd still be a Living Legend. But, he didn't stop...Now, after more than 20 years in the game, he is a hip-hop titan and continues to release some of the best music of his career. Whether solo or collabo he has some... Read more

DJ Quik is in the muthaf*ckin house! And, he's been here for more than 21 years dropping joint after joint after joint. People often forget there's more than 1 legendary producer/MC from Compton. Not today. DJ Quik is the latest legend we pay tribute to in our Living Legends series.... Read more

How do you say Living Legends with one word? OutKast. Big Boi and Andre 3000 completely re-shaped the perception of hip-hop, particularly Southern hip-hop, when their album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik dropped in 1994 and they've continued to change the game for 18 years strong. Though they haven't released an album together since... Read more

Redman. Reggie Noble. Whatever name you use for him, it's synonymous with dope MC. 2012 marks 20 years since the release of Redman's debut album Whut? Thee Album and his mind-bending verse on EPMD's Headbanger, and he has been blazing the mic ever since. Because of his undeniable contribution to... Read more

KRS-One has been in the game for 25 years. Ever since Criminal Minded dropped in 1987, the Blastmaster has been teaching and repping hip-hop culture. We celebrate him and his music in this latest installment of our living legends series where we pay homage to our hip-hop greats while we... Read more

Watching Rakim perform last night (see footage below) was a reminder of why he has nicknames like the God MC and Rakim Allah. There was a good 5-10 year stretch where there was NO QUESTION who the GOAT was. The debate started at #2, after the R. For these reasons... Read more

It's easy to take Snoop Dogg for granted. You don't think so? Ask yourself. When is the last time you included the Boss Dogg in your list of Top 10 MCs or even put him in the discussion? There is no question he should be in the discussion but he... Read more

The loss of MCA was a reminder of how much love we show to fallen hip-hop legends. It's time to show some to the LIVING Legends too. We're kicking off a new series of playlists where we celebrate those hip-hop icons still with us (especially those who may not have... Read more