![]() Releasing his first single “The Glow / The Hit” on JMJ, the rapper eventually left the label, signing on with production duo Trackmasters through Columbia Records. ![]() member Jam Master Jay during the mid ’90s, Fif learned the ins and outs of songwriting during his tenure working with the legendary DJ’s imprint JMJ Records. Coming under the mentorship of Run D.M.C. After serving time at a boot camp for drug possession, Fif returned to the streets, eager to make a soft landing in the music business. Born and raised in South Jamaica, Queens, 50, born Curtis Jackson, began rapping as a teen before running afoul of the law. ![]() Going from the brink of death to the executive suite is a rare transition, but one 50 Cent made seem effortless. Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images In part three of our four-part series, we look back at 14 of the most impactful artists that doubled as visionaries in Hip-Hop history. Last installment, we covered 14 of the most impactful founders and moguls of the past five decades. In celebration of Black Music Month and Hip-Hop 50, VIBE and Lexus highlight 50 of the greatest music industry figures of the Hip-Hop Era. Creatives that make the art get the chunk of the headlines and credit, but it is often the work of the masterminds behind the scenes that pull the strings to ensure that the culture continues to be driven forward. Yet, the efforts of those who launched companies, climbed the corporate ladder, or capitalized on their artistic endeavors to pursue entrepreneurship are indispensable. The presence of Black power brokers in the music business was not as prevalent 50 years ago as it is today. Thriving off the ingenuity of savvy founders, executives, managers, and enterprising artists, Hip-Hop has moved the global needle and contributed to big business since its inception. Taking street energy and lending its influence and buying power to music, fashion, entertainment, and more. The movement born in the 1970’s from The Bronx, NYC has evolved from its humble beginnings into a billion-dollar industry. Robby Antonio Zumaya, also known as ROB.Hip-Hop has become a global force, infiltrating various sectors of culture while impacting numerous facets of life.Makonnen Sheran, also known as iLoveMakonnen.Alexander Xavier Harris, also known as F.Tony Banks, also known as Music Bear Tony Banks.Robby Antonio Zumaya, also known as ROB.B.Read about the artists below for more fascinating biographies, including links to videos and interviews: One notable characteristic of the LGBTQ hip hop scene - almost all of these entertainers are American. Their music differs widely from each other, so there is no signature element to identify an LGBTQ musician from one who is not (except perhaps through the lyrics). ![]() Hip Hop artists do not fall into a standard definition of music style. Nevertheless, though they may not let their sexual identity define them as a person or entertainer, they still do not shy away from it. The LGBTQ hip hop artist often relies on either the underground scene or social media to attract their listeners, not the mainstream. ![]() Mainstream hip hop artists continue to feature homophobia in their lyrics (such as those of Eminem). He describes himself as an out and proud gay entertainer and actively encourages other gay hip hop artists to come out of the closet.Īdmittedly, the bulk of the hip hop artists are on the fringes of the music scene. In 2014, Solomon cancelled his Russian tours in protest of that country's homophobic laws. LGBTQ hip hop artists are often also LGBTQ activists. Consider New Orlean's Big Freedia's YouTube videos with over 1 million hits, lesbian Brooke Candy with 1.5 million hits, pansexual Angel Haze with 1.7 million hits, or lesbian Azealia Banks with over 6 million hits. Many of the prominent gay hip hop artists are huge underground phenomena, if not so in the mainstream. Gay Shorty Roc is considered a pioneer of the hip hop scene since he first appeared in New York City at that time. Hip Hop itself rose to prominence in the 1990s. Several artists of this genre have been out and proud for some time. However, there are more and more high profile hip hop artists who are out and are well known to the public today than ever: gay Frank Ocean and bisexual Fergie (also lead vocalist for the Black Eyed Peas) spring to mind. Hip Hop gets a bad rap as a homophobic music genre. ![]()
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