http://mp3.rhapsody.com/charts?cat=artist&category=genre&genreId=146&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rssTop Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody OnlineRap/Hip-Hopen720Mon, 20 May 2013 01:32:19 +0000 http://static.rhap.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://mp3.rhapsody.com/charts?cat=artist&category=genre&genreId=146&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.9005&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Dirty South Sat, 11 May 2013 13:34:59 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.9005 art.9005 Lil Wayne art.9005 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.9005&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.9005&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Tha Block Is Hot. His raps focus on youthful rebellion, New Orleans style -- crack, girls and turf supremacy are paramount. Lights Out, released in 2000, and 2002's 500 Degreez established Wayne as a true force in a shifting hip-hop landscape. With 2004's Tha Carter and its 2005 follow-up, Tha Carter II, he made a case for himself as the South's preeminent rapper, with a supple flow, witty lyrics and ample charisma. He wrapped up the trilogy with 2008's Tha Carter III, featuring the inescapable hit "Lollipop," and continued to expand his horizons across mixtapes, the rock-leaning single "Prom Queen" and even a performance alongside Kid Rock at the Country Music Awards. Now a full-fledged pop star, he dabbled in rock music for 2010's Rebirth, while nurturing his Young Money Entertainment clique and rising stars like Drake, Nicki Minaj and Tyga. - SCHENNAULT]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.21379866&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss West Coast Indie Sat, 27 Apr 2013 04:22:05 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.21379866 art.21379866 Macklemore art.21379866 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.21379866&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.21379866&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.28463069&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Hitmakers Tue, 7 May 2013 17:29:31 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.28463069 art.28463069 Drake art.28463069 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.28463069&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.28463069&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Degrassi: The Next Generation, the rapper born Aubrey Drake Graham is an unlikely candidate to serve as hip-hop's latest great hope. But that's what he's been shaking out as, ever since his self-released 2007 mix tape, Comeback Season, brought him to the attention of Lil Wayne, the first of several superstars he has managed to collaborate with before even releasing a debut album. The list now includes Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and others, and it shows no signs of letting up, especially given Drake's starring role in two of 2009's more inescapable summer hip-hop singles: his own "Best I Ever Had" and Young Money Entertainment's "Every Girl." As with the early Kanye, Drake's persona bridges the gap between street smarts and backpacker emo; it's clear, too, that he can sing as nimbly as he raps. Talk about a future multi-threat; he doesn't even need to cross over to acting, because he's already been there. In 2010, Drake certified his superstar status with Thank Me Later, one of the year's biggest sellers. - CEDDY]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Hitmakers Thu, 9 May 2013 01:36:09 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.44 art.44 Eminem art.44 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss 8 Mile. Eminem's third record, The Eminem Show, dropped in the summer of 2002. Encore followed in 2004. It took Eminem five years to complete a follow-up. The 30-something was busy bouncing in and out of rehab and trying to decide whether or not to rekindle a relationship with longtime girlfriend Kim. Out in 2009, Relapse was as disturbing as anything he'd released, and recast the pop culture spotlight on the bratty kid from Detroit. The next year, he released another chart-topper, Recovery. - SCHENNAULT]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1289&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss East Coast Street Poets Sat, 11 May 2013 13:34:55 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.1289 art.1289 Jay-Z art.1289 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1289&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1289&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.40912632&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss West Coast Rap/Hip-Hop Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:17:00 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.40912632 art.40912632 Kendrick Lamar art.40912632 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.40912632&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.40912632&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.215&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss West Coast Rap/Hip-Hop Thu, 16 May 2013 10:42:01 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.215 art.215 2Pac art.215 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.215&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.215&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss 2Pacalypse Now in 1991, followed by starring roles in the films Juice and Poetic Justice. His second album contained the player anthem "I Get Around" and the ode to struggling sisters "Keep Your Head Up." In addition to his rising celebrity status, Tupac also saw numerous run-ins with both sides of the law. In 1994 he released Thug Life, was shot several times in NYC, and was convicted of sexual assault. Me Against The World (1995) debuted at No. 1, while Pac was sitting in jail. Bailed out by Suge Knight, his Death Row premiere All Eyez On Me -- the first hip-hop double album -- featured the hit "California Love" and easily went multiplatinum. On September 7, 1996, Tupac was shot repeatedly in Las Vegas and died six days later. Numerous theories continue to surround his murder; some blame Bad Boy, others think Suge set him up, while legions of believers think he is still alive. Many new albums and compilations have continued his career posthumously, with "Changes" getting massive airplay in 1999. Tupac's murder remains unsolved. - BWINNING]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5015309&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Hitmakers Wed, 8 May 2013 10:34:50 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.5015309 art.5015309 Kanye West art.5015309 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5015309&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5015309&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss The Blueprint dropped in 2001 with West productions "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" and "Never Change," his patented chipmunk soul (sped-up soul loops for choruses; dramatic, sweeping strings) ushered in a new era of polished hip-hop formalism. It was a nice rejoinder to the bombast of Timbaland and the Neptunes. Many doubted that West could make the transition from producer to emcee; his flow was rigid compared to his Roc-A-Fella counterparts, and his middle-class perspective was the antithesis of their crack raps. But on his 2004 debut, College Dropout, West delivered one of the most thematically complex pop albums of the decade, alternately accepting and rejecting rap's conspicuous consumerism and reconciling his middle-class upbringing with hip-hop's more nihilistic archetypes. Subsequent albums documented West's ascension from quirky underdog to king of the hip-hop world, a position he continued to hold with 2008's mystifying 808s & Heartbreak, which brandished his sensitive heart on its Auto-Tuned sleeve, and 2010's acclaimed My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. - SCHENNAULT]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6375330&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Dance Pop Fri, 10 May 2013 02:54:07 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.6375330 art.6375330 Pitbull art.6375330 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6375330&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6375330&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss M.I.A.M.I. (Money Is A Major Issue) catapulted the young emcee into rap stardom, especially in the South and among Latinos. With releases like El Mariel and The Boatlift, he has continued making songs with insightful social commentary while proving his ability to move the masses with his club anthems. - BWINNING]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.43550&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Hitmakers Mon, 13 May 2013 21:58:04 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.43550 art.43550 Eve art.43550 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.43550&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.43550&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Bulworth soundtrack in '98. The following year, she hooked up with the Ruff Ryders and scored a major hit with the Latin-esque club rocker "What Ya Want." Her first solo album, Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady, was a major success, fueled by the singles "Gotta Man" and "Love Is Blind." She has also loaned her skills to other albums by the Roots and Blackstreet. Able to balance sex appeal, tough-girl posturing and real-life issues, Eve is among the most respected female mic-touchers in the game. Her second record, Scorpion, dropped in 2001, featuring the Dre-produced Gwen Stefani collaboration "Let Me Blow Your Mind." That was quickly followed in 2002 by Eve-olution, which included a hit duet with Alicia Keys, Gangsta Lovin'. After that the singer dropped out of the spotlight for a few years, but she returned in 2007 with the hit single "Tambourine" and the subsequent album Here I Am. - BWINNING]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.28685&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Alt Metal Thu, 2 May 2013 04:12:21 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.28685 art.28685 Linkin Park art.28685 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.28685&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.28685&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Hybrid Theory, dubbed after the band's original name. Thanks to "In the End," the album was a massive hit and the second single, "Crawling," won them a Grammy for "Best Hard Rock Performance." Despite a somewhat cool reception from anyone over the age of 13, Linkin Park claimed a spot at the very top of the heap in the early 2000s nu-metal arena. They have since released an album of Hybrid Theory remixes, a studio album and a live album chronicling their extensive tours. A single called "Numb/Encore," featuring a collaboration with rapper Jay-Z, was released in 2004; the EP it was taken from, Collision Course, and single hit No. 1, and firmly reset Linkin Park's place at the top of the charts. In 2005 the band concentrated on a number of relief efforts to aid victims of the Southeast Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. MC Mike Shinoda splintered off to work on his solo project, a hip-hop group called Fort Minor. The band released Minutes to Midnight in 2007, another chart-topper that scaled back the rapping in favor of a more straight forward arena-friendly rock sound; the live album Road to Revolution followed in 2008 and A Thousand Suns in 2010. - MMCGUIRK]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.58816&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss ATL Sat, 11 May 2013 13:35:06 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.58816 art.58816 T.I. art.58816 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.58816&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.58816&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss I'm Serious, didn't exactly burn up the charts, but it featured production from the Neptunes and displayed a tenderness that subsequent releases would downplay. In many ways, 2003's Trap Muzik was T.I.'s official unveiling; the irresistible single "Rubber Band Man" served as a raison d'etre of sorts for the star. After spending time in prison for cocaine charges, he returned in 2004 with the comparatively cheery Urban Legend. Between the release of that album and 2006's King, he had begun to challenge 50 Cent and Eminem as the most famous emcee in the world. T.I.'s next album, 2007's T.I. vs. T.I.P., explored the division between the rapper's street persona and his corporate interest. Mining dark territory and featuring Justin Timberlake, 2008's Paper Trail continued to cement his status as the king. - SCHENNAULT]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.19596595&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Hitmakers Fri, 3 May 2013 02:41:45 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.19596595 art.19596595 Tyga art.19596595 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.19596595&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.19596595&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss No Introduction, failed to capitalize on "Coconut Juice." Over a year later, Tyga re-emerged as part of Lil Wayne's Young Money camp. He made several appearances on the group's 2009 compilation We Are Young Money, and the next year dropped a verse on Chris Brown's Grammy-nominated comeback hit "Deuces." With new momentum behind his career, Tyga scheduled a second album, Careless World, for 2011. - MREEVES]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.32558379&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Hitmakers Fri, 3 May 2013 04:30:31 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.32558379 art.32558379 Nicki Minaj art.32558379 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.32558379&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.32558379&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss We Are Young Money (and its accompanying hits like "BedRock") as well as spotlight-stealing guest verses for Ludacris ("My Chick Bad") and Usher ("Lil Freak") brought her national exposure. As the hype and controversy (including a "beef" with prototypical gangster mistress Lil' Kim) reached a fever pitch, Minaj released her first hit single, "Your Love." At the end of 2010 she released her debut album, Pink Friday. It quickly went platinum and launched hits including "Right Thru Me" and "Moment 4 Life." - MREEVES]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.10872254&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Dirty South Sat, 11 May 2013 13:35:04 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.10872254 art.10872254 Rick Ross art.10872254 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.10872254&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.10872254&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.46022569&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss ATL Fri, 3 May 2013 04:30:35 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.46022569 art.46022569 2 Chainz art.46022569 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.46022569&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.46022569&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.15802707&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss East Coast Street Poets Fri, 3 May 2013 02:41:46 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.15802707 art.15802707 Wiz Khalifa art.15802707 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.15802707&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.15802707&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Show and Prove. The deal yielded an acclaimed single, "Say Yeah," which turned Alice Deejay's rave chestnut "Better Off Alone" into a strip-club anthem; the song got plenty of buzz on the Internet but barely skirted the U.S. singles charts. After two more failed singles, "All in My Blood (Pittsburgh Sound)" and "Youngin On His Grind," Warner dropped him. Undaunted, Wiz continued to build support for his cleverly rendered hipster thug style, issuing numerous mixtapes as well as a potent indie album, 2009's Deal or No Deal. By 2010, Wiz's time had arrived, thanks to a new class of emcees that mixed a street ethos with fashion-forward cool and deft rhymes. It made a new deal -- this time with Atlantic Records – seem all but inevitable. In the fall of 2010, Wiz Khalifa landed a surprise number-one hit in his hometown tribute "Black & Yellow." The song became ubiquitous when the Pittsburgh Steelers adopted it for their 2011 Super Bowl run. He then followed it up with his major-label bow, Rolling Papers. - MREEVES]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6384205&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss ATL Fri, 10 May 2013 02:54:28 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.6384205 art.6384205 Young Jeezy art.6384205 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6384205&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6384205&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Thug Motivation 101: Let's Get It with 2006's The Inspiration. Not wanting to mess with a winning formula, the album featured dark tales about dealing drugs. - BWINNING]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.19296515&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Hitmakers Sun, 12 May 2013 07:32:35 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.19296515 art.19296515 Kid Cudi art.19296515 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.19296515&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.19296515&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss A Kid Named Cudi, meanwhile, samples Band of Horses, Ratatat and Nosaj Thing, among others. Throughout the mixtape, Cudi deals with themes of cultural disassociation and isolation, as well as heartbreak and emotional vulnerability. And while that may sound drab and serious, Cudi adds enough levity via his quirky gadget and gear obsession that the mix never feels emotionally indulgent. For many fans, Cudi is simply making honest music that resonates with his largely middle-class fan base. In 2009, Kid Cudi delivered on that early promise with his hit debut, Man on the Moon: End of Day, which yielded another hit in "Pursuit of Happiness." The next year, he issued Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager. - SCHENNAULT]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.13293819&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Pop Wed, 8 May 2013 16:48:33 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.13293819 art.13293819 Will.i.am art.13293819 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.13293819&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.13293819&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Lost Change and 2003's Must B 21. It's fashionable in rap circles to say that Will eventually sold out when he recruited Fergie into BEP for the group's third album, collaborated with the likes of Justin Timberlake and became the mega-star that he is today. But it's also true that he's always been about accessibility and eclecticism. That approach has changed little. - SCHENNAULT]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5230932&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss ATL Sun, 14 Apr 2013 04:59:05 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.5230932 art.5230932 Future (ATL) art.5230932 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5230932&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5230932&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.51836014&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss East Coast Rap/Hip-Hop Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:43:19 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.51836014 art.51836014 A$AP Rocky art.51836014 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.51836014&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.51836014&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.20697410&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Lyrical Mon, 6 May 2013 05:35:01 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.20697410 art.20697410 J Cole art.20697410 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.20697410&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.20697410&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss The Come Up. A track from that mixtape, "Lights Please," became J Cole's first official single; meanwhile, he landed cameos on Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3, as well as albums by Wale and Reflection Eternal. In 2010, he dropped another single, "Who Dat." Amidst preparations for a proper full-length debut in 2011, he continued to attract a big audience with MP3s and mixtapes like Friday Night Lights. - MREEVES]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.19296513&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss East Coast Rap/Hip-Hop Wed, 15 May 2013 17:30:08 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.19296513 art.19296513 Wale art.19296513 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.19296513&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.19296513&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Attention Deficit. - TKONDO]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.26871512&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Dance Pop Wed, 15 May 2013 17:28:04 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.26871512 art.26871512 Ke$ha art.26871512 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.26871512&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.26871512&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44827&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss East Coast Rap/Hip-Hop Thu, 9 May 2013 01:36:16 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.44827 art.44827 50 Cent art.44827 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44827&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44827&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Power of the Dollar) that ended up unreleased, he was signed by Eminem's Shady Records label, thanks in part to his reputation on N.Y.C.'s mix tape circuit. Get Rich or Die Tryin' came out in early 2003 and propelled him to rap superstardom. He followed it with 2005's The Massacre, 2007's Curtis, and 2009's Before I Self-Destruct. Not content with a solo recording career, 50 has also released an album with his G-Unit Crew; put his name on a clothing line, a Reebok sneaker and an energy drink; written a book; and starred in a semi-autobiographical movie. - RDEVITT]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.872&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Hard Rock Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:07:08 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.872 art.872 Kid Rock art.872 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.872&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.872&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Devil Without A Cause, which spawned the mega-singles "Cowboy" and "Bawitdaba," went platinum 11 times over, and established Robert James Ritchie as the reigning king of his very own genre, a hybrid of rock, rap, metal and country. With 2001's Cocky, Rock delved deeper into his mix of classic rock moves and gold chain-draped rapper posturing, but by 2003's Kid Rock, the Detroit-bred champion of hicks had transitioned away from hip-hop and more toward rock, covering Bad Company and pushing the guitars (even acoustic ones sometimes) way up front. Kid's interest in this modern version of the classic rock he grew up with deepened on 2006's "Live" Trucker (featuring album art that paid homage to Bob Seger's Live Bullet) and culminated in 2007's Rock N Roll Jesus, which went so far as to mash up Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" and Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" for the hit single "All Summer Long." - MMCGUIRK]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.20184101&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss East Coast Rap/Hip-Hop Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:34:51 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.20184101 art.20184101 The Notorious B.I.G. art.20184101 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.20184101&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.20184101&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Who's The Man?. He hooked up with Puff Daddy's upstart Bad Boy label and dropped his classic debut LP Ready To Die in 1994. The album burned up the charts thanks to hit singles like "Juicy" and "Big Poppa." Mixing a potent blend of street thuggism and flossy living, his deep narratives spoke to listeners from all walks of life. The combination of Biggie's charm on the mic and Puffy's ultra-catchy, sample-based production made them both rich and famous. After his album's success, Biggie put on his BK crew Junior M.A.F.I.A. and sparked Lil Kim's solo career. On March 9th, 1997, he was gunned down in Los Angeles. Many speculated it was due to a supposed "east-west beef" between Bad Boy and Death Row, although no one was ever arrested or charged in the case. Biggie's second LP Life After Death dropped three weeks later and debuted at #1, sporting singles like "Hypnotize" and "Mo Money, Mo Problems." In 1999, Born Again appeared, loaded with cameos from the biggest names in the business. Today he remains one of hip-hop's all time greats, influencing a generation of emcees from beyond the grave. - BWINNING]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44063&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Funk Thu, 9 May 2013 01:17:04 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.44063 art.44063 Prince art.44063 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44063&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44063&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Purple Rain-crazed '80s, but that seems due more to bad publicity surrounding his tabloid lifestyle than his musical output. He can't hide the fact that he is an odd, fuzzy little man, but genius doesn't come in perfect packages. While legions of Prince's contemporaries crash and burn, he sits in his Minneapolis tower and continues to expand the boundaries of popular music. - NDEDINA]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.15021891&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Dance Pop Thu, 9 May 2013 05:52:49 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.15021891 art.15021891 Flo Rida art.15021891 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.15021891&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.15021891&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44043&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss West Coast Rap/Hip-Hop Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:28:16 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.44043 art.44043 Snoop Dogg art.44043 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44043&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44043&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss The Chronic, Snoop Dogg's laconic, rubbery flow and goofy gangsta persona has been a hip-hop institution. His Doggystyle (1993) became the first debut album to hit the charts at No. 1. After a rancorous split with Death Row Records, Snoop moved to Master P's No Limit label. In the late '90s, he began working with Dre again, resulting in standout tracks like "Bitch Please," "Still D.R.E." and "The Next Episode." Not content with simply rapping, Snoop launched an acting career in feature films like Training Day and The Wash. His sixth solo record Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$ dropped in late 2002, followed two years later by R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta). In 2006, Snoop released the excellent Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, followed by the sleazy "Sensual Seduction" and subsequent 2008 album Ego Trippin'. Though the middling success of 2009's Malice 'N Wonderland and 2011's Doggumentary suggested Snoop's star power was waning, he still commanded attention with urban hits like "I Wanna Rock" and "Boom." - SCHENNAULT]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.10337267&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Dirty South Wed, 1 May 2013 02:59:38 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.10337267 art.10337267 DJ Khaled art.10337267 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.10337267&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.10337267&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Listennn, featured a who's who of hip-hop and spawned the breakout single "Holla at Me," featuring Rick Rock, Paul Wall and Lil Wayne with production by Cool and Dre. That success, however, was nothing compared to the buzz created by 2007's "We Takin' Over," which was the lead-off single for Khaled's sophomore Koch release, We the Best. - SCHENNAULT]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4522&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Pop Fri, 10 May 2013 02:54:03 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.4522 art.4522 The Black Eyed Peas art.4522 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4522&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4522&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Behind the Front. They returned with Bridging the Gap two years later, bulking up their sound through collaborations with Premier, Mos Def and De La Soul, among others. For their third LP, 2003's Elephunk, the group added singer Fergie to the mix, moved away from their backpacker roots and towards a slick pop sound, and scored enormous hits. Singles "Let's Get It Started" and "Where Is the Love?" which launched them into the stratosphere and paved the way for extensive touring, advertising work, and a Grammy Award. Three more albums as a group (plus solo turns from both Fergie and will) propelled them into a heavily dance-pop sound -- and even higher up the charts -- before the Peas went on indefinite hiatus in 2011. - RDEVITT]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.15951853&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Hitmakers Sat, 27 Apr 2013 04:22:20 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.15951853 art.15951853 B.o.B art.15951853 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.15951853&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.15951853&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss The Adventures of Bobby Ray. Born Bobby Ray Simmons in Decatur, Georgia, he was first discovered as a teenager by Jim Jonsin, the Miami producer best known for hits like Trick Daddy’s “Let’s Go.” After signing with Jonsin’s Rebel Rock production company in 2007, B.o.B built a huge buzz through mixtapes and regional hits like “Haters” and “Cloud 9”. However, fans grew impatient when he signed deals with Atlantic Records, and even T.I.’s Grand Hustle imprint, but only had modest singles like “Autotune” and “I’ll Be in the Sky” to show for it. The arrival of “Nothin’ On You,” a song originally written by Bruno Mars of upstart production duo the Smeezingtons, finally brought B.o.B a mainstream hit, reaching number one on the charts in early 2010. The Adventures of Bobby Ray, which debuted at number one upon its release, added a second major hit in “Airplanes.” - MREEVES]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.15138855&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Contemporary Hard Rock Tue, 7 May 2013 12:08:53 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.15138855 art.15138855 Five Finger Death Punch art.15138855 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.15138855&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.15138855&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss The Way of the Fist in 2007. Alternating between throaty yell/screams and near spoken word singing amid decidedly crushing riffs, the band offers a brand of metal that is both accessible to the Warped Tour kids and tough enough to allow singer Ghost Moody to appear shirtless in most photo opportunities. - MMCGUIRK]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.69259&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss ATL Fri, 10 May 2013 02:54:27 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.69259 art.69259 Outkast art.69259 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.69259&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.69259&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (1994), swiftly went platinum on the strength of their huge hit "Player's Ball." Subsequent albums have shown a rapidly evolving style that incorporates wide-ranging influences and Dre's experiments with more abstract prose. Their fourth LP, Stankonia propelled them to superstar status, thanks to addictive singles like "Ms. Jackson," "B.O.B.," and "So Fresh, So Clean." Unlike many crews who come out strong only to buckle under the double-edged sword of commercial success, Outkast continue to grow and improve with each release. - BWINNING]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6587646&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Dirty South Fri, 29 Mar 2013 04:03:00 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.6587646 art.6587646 Lil Boosie art.6587646 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6587646&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6587646&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss It's a Gamble. In 2000, Boosie released his debut LP Youngest of the Camp. - NCAVALIERI]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.27956648&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Street Hop Tue, 7 May 2013 17:29:30 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.27956648 art.27956648 Meek Mill art.27956648 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.27956648&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.27956648&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6639830&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Reggaeton Tue, 7 May 2013 17:25:26 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.6639830 art.6639830 Don Omar art.6639830 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6639830&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6639830&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss The Last Don released in 2003, made him a bona fide hero in the community, and VI Records released a live double album a year later. 2005's Da Hitman Presents Reggaeton Latino, which rehashed Don Omar's hits, rocketed off with the hugely successful single "Reggaeton Latino," an all-star posse cut, and some remix work from Swizz Beatz. On King of Kings (2006), the Don adopted a post-apocalyptic warrior alter ego (onstage and on the album cover art) and departed from run of the mill reggaeton conventions by enlisting collaborators like Juelz Santana and Miri Ben-Ari, and working salsa, rock and arabesque rhythms into the mix. He also expanded on subject matter beyond love and adultery; the hit "Angelito" tells the tragic tale of a life cut short by AIDS while "Munecas de Porcelana" is a leftfield lesbian coming of age story. In March 2008, Don Omar and fellow reggaetonero Daddy Yankee squashed their epic beef at a Wisin y Yandel concert in Puerto Rico. By this time Omar gained a wider audience after friend Vin Diesel insisted his single "Bandoleros" be included in the film The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift; three tracks from his 2009 release, the futuristic-themed iDon, found their way onto the soundtrack of follow-up Fast & Furious. - SBARDEEN]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.53815&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Hitmakers Mon, 6 May 2013 11:46:48 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.53815 art.53815 Nelly art.53815 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.53815&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.53815&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Nellyville featured even more platinum hits, loaded with heavy-rotation singles such as "Hot In Herre," "#1," and "Dilemma." After the tremendous success of his sophomore LP, Nelly also founded several charities (including one for his cancer-afflicted sister and one for underprivileged kids from the neighborhood), launched his Apple Bottom clothing company for the ladies, and started his own energy drink called Pimp Juice. He released a remix album Da Derrty Versions: The Reinvention in 2003, and the following year made history by releasing two new LPs simultaneously: Suit, a mellow love-rap collection, and Sweat, aimed squarely at the clubs. However, by 2008 and his fifth album, Brass Knuckles, Nelly's career cooled considerably. Two years later, he launched a comeback with a new hit single, "Just A Dream." - BWINNING]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4794&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Hitmakers Thu, 4 Apr 2013 04:32:34 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.4794 art.4794 Beastie Boys art.4794 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4794&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4794&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Licensed to Ill, went off like a bomb amid the international record-buying public. The New York trio's brash hollering and sophomoric humor, along with producer Rick Rubin's brilliant idea to blast heavy metal riffs underneath, turned the music world on its ear. On their second album, Paul's Boutique, MCA, Ad-Rock and Mike D. loosed a torrent of sly jokes and deep pop culture references that, along with unheard-of production by the Dust Brothers that interlocked over 100 samples, resulted in a critical 180 for the band. This shot-calling in the rap world continued over the next two albums (Check Your Head and Ill Communication) before tapering off as the trio devoted time to developing bands on their Grand Royal label and fighting for various political causes. Their fifth album, Hello Nasty, won a pair of Grammys in 1998, and 2004's To the 5 Boroughs received critical praise. In 2011, the group released its final album, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two; the following year, MCA passed away from cancer at the age of 47. - MMCGUIRK]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6464831&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss West Coast Lyricists Thu, 9 May 2013 01:36:14 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.6464831 art.6464831 The Game art.6464831 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6464831&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6464831&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss The Documentary. His success is practically guaranteed, thanks to a strong allegiance with Dr. Dre (who signed him to Aftermath and produced several tracks), and profitable partnerships with Eminem, 50 Cent and G Unit. A self-proclaimed member of the Bloods, his rap career started in 2003 after getting shot and left for dead in a drug-related robbery at his home. Recovering from his wounds, he listened to dozens of classic hip-hop albums and decided to become a rapper. The studying paid off, as Game's 2005 debut, The Documentary, is widely considered among the best West Coast hip-hop album of this decade. A much-publicized split with Fiddy (complete with random gunplay) helped both parties sell more records, but unfortunately it also forced a split with Game's mentor, legendary producer Dr. Dre, who was financially entangled with 50. The Game spent the next year professing his undying love and respect for the good Doc, but it was all for naught and Dre didn't contribute one beat to 2006's oddly named The Doctor's Advocate. Still, the final joke may have been on Dre, as the album received widespread critical praise. - BWINNING]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3684&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss G-Funk/ Gangsta Mon, 6 May 2013 05:36:22 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.3684 art.3684 Dr. Dre art.3684 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3684&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3684&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss The Chronic, an untouchable masterpiece of California Gangsta Rap. Chock full of Parliament/Funkadelic basslines, high-pitched synths, and lolo-rockin' beats, track after track of G-Funk gems propelled the album to the top of the charts, made Snoop Dogg a household name, and changed the sound of hip-hop forever. In 1999 he produced Eminem's hugely successful The Slim Shady LP, followed several months later by Dre's long-awaited sophomore release, 2001. The album proved that Dre's already incredible talents were getting even better, with elaborate, orchestrated production perfectly balancing funkiness and complexity. Trendsetter, talent spotter, mic-ripper, and producer extraordinaire -- after more than twenty years blessing speakers around the world, Dr. Dre is still at the top of his game. - BWINNING]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.20450056&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Dirty South Thu, 28 Mar 2013 03:54:16 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.20450056 art.20450056 Ace Hood art.20450056 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.20450056&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.20450056&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.61736069&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Midwestern Rap/Hip-Hop Fri, 1 Mar 2013 21:12:01 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.61736069 art.61736069 Chief Keef art.61736069 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.61736069&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.61736069&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.40514&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss ATL Sat, 11 May 2013 13:35:02 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.40514 art.40514 Ludacris art.40514 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.40514&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.40514&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Back for the First Time, in 2000. After the hit "Southern Hospitality," Luda was a full-fledged superstar. Since his debut, he has unleashed a long line of irresistible club smashes, such as "Area Codes," "Move B*tch" and "Splash Waterfalls," propelling subsequent albums to multi-platinum status. For Chicken & Beer (2003) and The Red Light District (2004), Ludacris stuck with his winning formula: witty, sexually charged rhymes delivered with a dexterity few could match. While both were hugely successful albums, the ATL emcee yearned to be taken seriously. When he reemerged in 2006, he trimmed his treasured rows and released an album, Release Therapy, that contained some of his most introspective material to date. He followed it up in 2008 with Theater of the Mind, which continued to explore the many facets of Luda. Two years later, he returned to his popular club formula with the platinum Battle of the Sexes, yielding hits like "Sex Room," "How Low," and "My Chick Bad." - SCHENNAULT]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44791&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Contemporary Hard Rock Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:06:15 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.44791 art.44791 Disturbed art.44791 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44791&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.44791&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss The Sickness, took off in 2000, they were invited to play the main stage at 2001's Ozzfest, and their growing popularity led to platinum (and multiplatinum) ratings for a string of albums across the decade, culminating in 2008's Indestructible; the following year they took stock of their career with The Complete Studio Albums. - juhelszki]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.539&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Lyrical Wed, 8 May 2013 10:34:41 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.539 art.539 Nas art.539 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.539&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.539&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Illmatic, is considered by many to be hip-hop's high water mark. On songs such as "Memory Lane" and "One Love," Nas sounded as he could've been 60 or 16, a shortie on the corner slinging rock or a revolutionary on the capitol steps. But the Queensbridge emcee is too talented to be contained by one style, and successive albums (most notably 1996's It Was Written) found him experimenting with the highly stylized mafioso fantasies that became the genre's bread and butter. After the slaying of Biggie and Pac, Nas risked his legacy with a string of albums that ranged from painfully bad (Nastradamus) to mediocre (I Am...). Fortunately, the emcee's time in the desert was limited, and 2001's Stillmatic announced a revitalized Nas; 2002's strong God's Son and 2004's politically prickly Street's Disciple were similarly great. When he declared "hip-hop is dead" on the 2006 album of the same name, the world listened. Originally titled N*gg*r, his untitled 2008 album was characteristically contentious. He has since released 2010's Distant Relatives, a worldly collaboration with dancehall star Damian Marley, and Life Is Good, a meditation on "grown-man hip-hop" and his divorce from R&B singer Kelis. - SCHENNAULT]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.217&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Hitmakers Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:31:42 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.217 art.217 LL Cool J art.217 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.217&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.217&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Radio, rocked boom boxes across the land, thanks to hits like the title track and "Rock the Bells." His follow-up, Bigger and Deffer, proved a turning point: Its two breakout singles, "I'm Bad" and "I Need Love," crossed him over to a mainstream audience, but also drew plenty of haters, including Ice-T and Kool Moe Dee. As a result, LL has often fought to reclaim his rap throne -- with battle tracks like "Jack the Ripper" and "To Da Break of Dawn" -- while wooing pop and R&B fans with hits like "Around the Way Girl" and "Hey Love." Now an established pop icon, Uncle L has successfully ventured into television (the cop drama NCIS: Los Angeles) and films (Any Given Sunday). But he continues to release albums on a regular basis, with 1991's Mama Said Knock You Out being a creative and commercial highlight. - MREEVES]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.8653964&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss ATL Tue, 14 May 2013 11:24:02 +0000 Top Rap/Hip-Hop Artists on Rhapsody Online art.8653964 art.8653964 Gucci Mane art.8653964 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.8653964&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.8653964&variant=data&rws=%2Frap-hip-hop%2Fartist-chart.rss Trap House and the hit "Icy." But he quickly fell into a dispute with fellow ATL star Young Jeezy, who has a guest verse on "Icy," over the track. The beef escalated into a home invasion by one of Jeezy's associates; Mane shot and killed the man, but prosecutors decided not to charge him when he claimed self-defense. (Mane and Jeezy have since squashed their beef.) Still, Mane served time for a separate assault case before the release of his second indie album, 2006's Hard to Kill, which yielded the hit "Freaky Gurl" and led to a deal with Asylum Records. He's now a hot property thanks to a flurry of mix tapes and appearances on major pop singles with Mariah Carey, Big Boi (the underground hit "Shine Blockas") and Usher. But legal issues continue to haunt him: He was serving a yearlong sentence for probation violation when his third full-length, The State vs. Radric Davis, dropped in fall 2009. After being released, he dropped a fourth album, The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted in 2010. - MREEVES]]>