Hip-hop originated in the 1970s and has continually evolved, becoming known as rap and earlier as disco rap. Its impact on music, culture, dance, and fashion has captivated people globally. Have you ever thought about the famous hip-hop artists and how they left people mesmerized with your work? Curious to discover?

This guide highlights some of the most famous hip-hop artists of all time, showcasing their mastery and influence in the music industry. in these artists mastered their skills and influenced the music industry. Let’s dive into the world of these famous hip-hop artists and how they shaped hip-hop worldwide.

10 Famous Hip-Hop Artists of All Time

1: Jay-Z

Date of Birth: December 4, 1969, New York City, U.S.

Best Works:

• Where I’m From
• Dead Presidents II
• Big Pimpin’ feat. UGK
• 99 Problems
• U Don’t Know

Accolades:

• BET Awards
• 24 Grammy Awards
• 3 American Music Awards

Shawn Corey Carter, known by his stage name Jay-Z, is not just a rapper and entrepreneur. He is a virtuoso, a maestro of the hip-hop industry. His musical skills, coupled with his storytelling abilities, have earned him a place of prominence and influence.

His musical prowess is evident in his hit songs. His albums, including the notable “The Blueprint” (2001) and “4:44” (2017), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. His 1998 album “Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life” featured the hit song “Hard Knock Life”. He also collaborated on successful albums like “The Best of Both Worlds” and “Unfinished Business.”

In addition to his music career, Jay-Z co-founded Rocawear in 1999 and opened the 40/40 Club in 2003. With a successful career, he is one of the highest-selling rappers and wealthiest artists, with a net worth of $2.5 billion.

2: Kanye West

Date of Birth: June 8, 1977, Georgia, U.S.

Best Works:

• Chaka Khan: ‘Through The Fire’
• Nina Simone: ‘Strange Fruit’
• Daft Punk: ‘Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger’
• Jackson 5: ‘I Want’
• Ray Charles: ‘I Got A Woman’

Accolades:

• 24 Grammy Awards
• Billboard Music Awards
• 3 Brit Awards

Kanye West, professionally known as Ye, is an American rapper, and singer known for his influence on the hip-hop industry through his exceptional skills and diverse musical styles. He is one of the most famous hip-hop artists in the industry and continues to entertain audiences with his powerful vocals and songwriting skills.

West began his rapping career in the 1990s, creating the rap group “Go Getters” with Chicago natives GLC and Really Doe.

West’s musical prowess was evident from the start, as his debut single ‘Through the Wire’ in 2004 soared to No. 2 on the Billboard 200, setting the stage for his future hit albums and collaborations.

West founded GOOD Music in 2004. His work has significantly influenced artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, and Chance the Rapper.

5: The Notorious B.I.G.

3: Kendrick Lamar

Date of Birth: June 17, 1987, California, U.S.

Best Works:

• Money Trees
• Alright
• Backseat Freestyle
• Swimming Pools (Drank)
• Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe

Accolades:

• Grammy Awards
• BET Hip-Hop Awards
• MTV Video Music Awards

Kendrick Lamar, the American singer and songwriter, began his journey with a bang. His first retail release, “Overly Dedicated,” immediately caught the attention of the music world. He then went on to join the esteemed hip-hop singer group “Black Hippy,” a move that would shape his career and influence the genre. His companions in this group were Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and Schoolboy Q, all of whom contributed to the group’s unique sound and style.

Kendrick Lamar, initially known as K.Dot, released notable tracks like “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Poetic Justice.” After signing with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records, his album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, maintained its position on Billboard 200 for ten years. Lamar was also listed among Time’s 100 most influential people in 2016 and had three albums named among the 500 greatest of all time.

Lamar also appeared on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list and co-founded the creative company PG Lang. His significant impact on music and culture recognized him as one of the most famous hip-hop artists ever.

4: Tupac Shakur

Date of Birth: June 16, 1971, New York City, U.S.

Date of Death: September 13, 1996, Las Vegas, U.S.

Best Works:

• Hail Mary
• Ambitionz Az A Ridah
• Life Goes On
• Changes
• California Love

Accolades:

• American Music Awards
• 2 Soul Train Awards
• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017

Tupac Shakur, also known by names, 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper who remains an iconic figure in hip-hop. He gained recognition in 1991 with the release of his debut album, 2Pacalypse Now.

Shakur’s albums, including Me Against the World, All Eyez on Me, and Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z… in 1993, became great hits. Shakur also worked in films such as Bullet, Gridlock’d, and Gang Related. In late 1993, Shakur formed the group Thug Life with his friends, including Big Syke and Macadoshis, and released the album Thug Life: Volume 1 in 1994.

Shakur’s way of expressing music through storytelling and his ability to tackle complex subjects make him a great rapper. Known as an important figure in hip-hop culture his influence on pop culture will never fade.

5: The Notorious B.I.G.

Date of Birth: May 21, 1972, New York City, U.S.

Date of Death: March 9, 1997, California, U.S.

Best Works:

• Juicy
• Hypnotize
• Notorious Thugs
• Mo Money Mo Problems
• Who Shot Ya?

Accolades:

• 2 Soul Train Music Awards
• 3 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, an American rapper, was not just an artist, but a trailblazer. His number-one hits “Hypnotize” and “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems” catapulted him to success, making him a central figure in East Coast hip-hop in the 1990s.

Not just a singer, Biggie was a masterful storyteller, a skill that set him apart. His exceptional writing skills are evident in tracks like “Suicidal Thoughts” and “I Got A Story to Tell.”

Various magazines gave Biggie different titles: Rolling Stone titles him the “greatest rapper that ever lived,” and Billboard named him “the greatest rapper of all time.”

6: Nas

Date of Birth: September 14, 1973, New York City, U.S.

Best Works:

• Hate Me Now
• If I Ruled The World
• Take It In Blood
• One Mic
• N.Y State Of Mind

Accolades:

• 2 BET Hip-Hop Awards
• Grammy Awards
• Sports Emmy Awards
• Ranked first on the About.com list of the “50 Greatest MCs of All Time”
• Among 10 Best Rappers of All Time on Billboard

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, known as Nas, is an American rapper and entrepreneur who has made a lasting impact in the hip-hop segment.

He made his debut with the album Illmatic, which became one of the greatest albums. In 1995, Nas made guest appearances in albums by AZ (Doe or Die), Mobb Deep (The Infamous), Raekwon (Only Built 4 Cuban Linx), and Kool G Rap (4,5,6).

Nas’s songs feature impressive storytelling, like in “Black Girl Lost” and “I Gave You Power.” Apart from his solo work, he has collaborated with other hip-hop artists, establishing a career and influencing others to shape the evolution of hip-hop, making him one of among the list of famous hip-hop artists.

7: Dr. Dre

Date of Birth: February 18, 1965, California, U.S.

Best Works:

• Nuthin’ But a G Thang
• Straight Outta Compton
• Fuck Wit Dre Day
• The Next Episode
• The Boyz-n-the-Hood

Accolades:

• 3 American Music Awards
• 8 Grammy Awards
• 2 MTV Video Music Awards

Dr. Dre is an American record producer, record executive, rapper, and actor. He is a legendary icon who has influenced hip-hop culture globally with his skill and talent in music. He is often regarded as the greatest of all time and one of the most famous hip-hop artists.

Dr. Dre produced Snoop Dogg’s successful debut album, Doggystyle. He also released a compilation album called Dr. Dre Presents: The Aftermath in 1996 and his second album, 2001, in 1999. In 1999, his song “Forgot About Dre,” featuring Slim Shady from the album 2001, impressed many people with its fast-paced rapping and high quality.

His groundbreaking work continues to shape the sound of hip-hop and inspire new generations of artists, solidifying his legacy as an important figure in the genre.

8: 50 Cent

Date of Birth: July 6, 1975, New York City, U.S.

Best Works:

• In Da Club
• Candy Shop
• Many Men
• P.I.M.P
• 21 Questions

Accolades:

• Primetime Emmy Awards (2022)
• Grammy Awards (2010)
• 3 MOBO Awards

50 Cent is the stage name of Curtis James Jackson III. He is an American rapper, actor, television producer, and businessman primarily known for his rap career. He is considered one of the most famous hip-hop artists of all time. Cent has sold almost 30 million albums worldwide, and in 2023, Billboard ranked him 17th on their “50 Greatest Rappers” list.

Some of the renowned 50 Cent’s tracks, like “21 Questions” and “Ayo Technology,” showcased his singing abilities, expressing another side of his music. He was influenced by numerous legendary rap groups and artists, including Boogie Down Productions, Big Daddy Kane, The Juice Crew, and EPMD. He has also collaborated with many artists on musical projects across different genres, showcasing his versatility in the music industry.

9: Mac Miller

Date of Birth: January 19, 1992, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Date of Death: September 7, 2018, California, U.S.

Best Works:

• Nikes On My Feet
• Fight The Feeling
• The Question
• Self Care

Accolades:

• 21 & Under of the Year, and Best Hip Hop Video for “Live Free” at the 2010 Pittsburgh Hip Hop Awards

Malcolm James McCormick, professionally known as Mac Miller, was an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer. At age 15, he released his first mixtape called “But My Mackin’ Ain’t Easy” in 2007. After that, he released more music, including “K.I.D.S.” in 2010 and “Best Day Ever” in 2011, which gained attention in the hip-hop music industry.

In 2013, Miller started his own record label, REMember Music. Early in his career, Miller’s music was known as “frat rap,” focusing on partying and fame. Later, he explored various styles, including jazz, funk, and R&B. His albums Faces, The Divine Feminine, and Swimming combined these genres, with Swimming specifically described as a mix of rap, funk, and trip-hop.

Unfortunately, he passed away due to an overdose of mixed drugs, but he will always be remembered as one of the most famous hip-hop artists of all time.

10: Post Malone

Date of Birth: July 4, 1995, New York, U.S.

Best Works:

• Goodbyes
• Sunflower
• Circles
• Leave
• White Iverson
• Better Now

Accolades:

• 10 Billboard Music Awards
• 3 iHeartRadio Music Awards
• 2 Billboard Live Music Awards

Austin Richard Post, known as Post Malone, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and guitarist. He started making music in 2011 and became famous with his debut single, “White Iverson,” which reached number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2015.

Post Malone’s music blends many different styles, including hip-hop, pop, R&B, trap, and pop-rock mixes of various genres like country, grunge, and hip-hop. He was influenced by artists like Kurt Cobain, Johnny Cash, and 50 Cent. Malone produced and recorded ‘White Iverson,’ which quickly became popular, getting over a million monthly views.

Being one of the famous hip-hop artists and known for his versatility and genre-blending sound, Malone has made a significant impact on modern music, continuously evolving and capturing audiences’ attention.