10 At The Top Of Hip-Hop - Will Smith, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, Sean Combs, Master P, Nas, Wyclef Jean, Mase, Foxy Brown, Jay-Z - Brief Article

Ebony, June, 1999

THEY said it wouldn't last. They said it was only a fad. But year after year, hip-hop music that roved them wrong. Each ear the music that was born out of the inner cities continues to infiltrate mainstream America, last year making more money than the entire country music industry.

While there are many ex explanations for hip-hop's continuous rise, the most significant reason is the continuous steady stream of new talent--young men and women who constantly challenge the standard set by previous artists by creating new sounds, new looks, new dances and new attitudes.

To come up with 10 at the top of hip-hip is almost a virtually impossible task. With new faces hitting the scene almost every day, artists are constantly jockeying for position--and bragging rights. And to be sure, there are other artists who could have arguably made the list, including Busta, Rhymes, DMX, TLC, Timbaland, Wu-Tang and Silkk The Shocker.

But on, the following pages are 10 artists who have successfully pushed the envelop and had a unique impact on the multibillion-dollar hip-hop industry.

Those on the list include three women, three artists who also run supersuccessful record labels and a rapper who has taken the hip-hop culture to the big screen. They're on top now, but staying on top will be an even tougher challenge.

WILL SMITH

Will Smith is probably better known nowadays for his acting than his singing. But the former Fresh Prince continues to reign at the top of the hip-hop world. The latest album, Big Willie Style, won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album of the Year, and marked Smith's return to music after taking off several years to pursue an acting career. While he continues to dismiss critics who say his rap is not "street enough," Smith has proven time and time again that he has what it takes to continue to be one of the most successful rap artists ever.

MISSY ELLIOTT

Missy Elliott is a one-woman hip-hop dynamo. A longtime successful songwriter, Elliott moved into the spotlight as an artist in 1997 with Supa Dupa Fly, which debuted at No. 3 and went on to assume the No. 1 position. Her unique sound has set the music, industry abuzz. The 27-year-old Virginia-native now has her own label, which is affiliated with Elektra Records. She is planning to produce other artists.

LAURYN HILL

Lauryn Hill is the hottest artist on the scene--hip-hop or otherwise. On the heels of her Grammy Award-winning album of the year, The Miseduction of Lauryn Hill, the 23-year-old who brought "neo-soul" to the forefront of popular music has developed a large crossover following.

SEAN (PUFF DADDY) COMBS

Sean (Puff Daddy) Combs has made millions rapping about money, women and having fun. His unique fusion of new-school rap and old-school R&B, has helped take hip-hop from the 'hood to the suburbs. After the death of his best friend and biggest artist, The Notorious B.I.G., the founder of Bad Boy Entertainment poured his energy into nurturing his other artists, such as Faith Evans, Mase, The Lox and 112.

MASTER P

Master P (Percy Miller) may be rap's biggest success story. He s become one of the music industry's to performers, and as founder of No Limit Entertainment, is one of music's top businessmen. With $10,000 he received from a medical malpractice suit when his grandfather died, he opened a record store in California. Soon, it grew into a record company. Last year, No Limit grossed upward of $200 million. The 29-year-old Louisiana native also has a successful clothing line and sports agency business.

NAS

Nas has become known as one of hip-hop's most gifted word-smiths. His lyrics tell a story in almost a prophetic way. His new album, I Am ..., deals with such hard-hitting issues as poverty, infidelity, politics and religion. In addition to music, Nas has also tried his hand at acting, co-starring in the movie Belly.

WYCLEF JEAN

Wyclef Jean hasn't looked back since the Fugees split and he went on to pursue a solo career. His hip-hop is built around social consciousness. It has won him many awards and helped garner critical acclaim for his debut album, Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival.

MASE

Mase was once known as Puff Daddy's "right-hand man," but today he is making a name for himself as the laid-back rapper with the almost lackadaisical hip-hop style, his debut album, Harlem World, was in the Top 10, and many in the music industry rank him as the future of rap music. The 22-year-old artist, whose real name is Mason Betha, grew up in Harlem, but spent some of his teenage years living with relatives in the South.

FOXY BROWN

Foxy Brown's bad-girl image has made her one of hip-hop's top female performers. But while her beats may be hard and her lyrics harder, Brown (Her real name is Inga Marchand) believes she has been unfairly attacked by critics who say her lyrics are too sexually explicit. Her new album, Chyna Doll, reached No. 1 on the rap charts and continues to do well.

JAY-Z

Jay-Z has moved to the top of the hip-hop ranks by weaving tales of urban life with clarity, depth and precision. His latest album, Vol. 2 ... Hard Knock Life, soared to No. 1. The Brooklyn native burst onto the rap scene in 1990. Six years later--after several run-ins with record company executives--he formed Roc-A-Fella Records and established his own stable of artists.