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The Roots are known for their live instrumentation and jazz influences, which has earned them a reputation as one of the most musically proficient groups in hip hop.

Grandmaster Flash pioneered advanced DJ techniques such as cutting, scratching, and mixing. His group, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Notorious B.I.G.'s storytelling abilities and lyrical prowess made him a central figure in the East Coast hip hop scene, where he was involved in the historic feud with West Coast rappers.

OutKast's blend of Southern rap, funk, and jazz elements, as well as their lyrical experimentation and eclectic style, contributed significantly to the diversity of hip hop.

Kanye West's contributions to hip hop include influential productions that often incorporate pitched-up vocal samples and bold instrumentation, as seen on his album 'The College Dropout'.

MC Lyte was one of the first female rappers to point out the sexism and gender disparities in hip hop, which made her an influential voice in promoting gender equality in the genre.

Lauryn Hill's solo album 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' was groundbreaking for its incorporation of soul, reggae, and R&B, earning her widespread acclaim and reshaping the image of female artists in hip hop.

The Sugarhill Gang released 'Rapper's Delight' in 1979, which is often credited as the first hip hop single to achieve commercial success.

Queen Latifah was one of hip hop's first feminist icons, promoting women's rights in her music, particularly in tracks like 'U.N.I.T.Y.', which addressed issues of respect and domestic violence.

De La Soul's debut album '3 Feet High and Rising' introduced a playful and quirky side to hip hop, employing innovative sampling and promoting a positive and alternative image.

Tupac Shakur is celebrated for his poetic and socially conscious lyrics. His dual roles as a rapper and actor helped cement his legacy as a cultural icon before his untimely death.

Drake has influenced hip hop by integrating R&B and pop elements into his music, creating a distinctive sound and becoming one of the most commercially successful artists of his time.

Big Daddy Kane is a trailblazer in fast-paced lyrical delivery and multi-syllabic rhymes, influencing the evolution of flow and style in hip hop.

Childish Gambino, also known as Donald Glover, has contributed to hip hop through his versatile delivery and the social commentary in songs such as 'This is America'.

NWA's raw portrayal of street life and police brutality on their album 'Straight Outta Compton' was pivotal in the development of the West Coast G-Funk style and gangsta rap.

Afrika Bambaataa is known for his influential track 'Planet Rock' and his role in founding the Universal Zulu Nation, an international hip hop awareness group.

Public Enemy revolutionized political rap with their strong socially conscious lyrics and criticism of the media in their seminal album 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back'.

Salt-N-Pepa's empowering messages and assertive style in hits like 'Push It' brought female voices to the forefront of hip hop during the 1980s and early 1990s.

Snoop Dogg's smooth flow and laid-back delivery became the epitome of West Coast G-funk, which played an instrumental role in popularizing the subgenre.

Chance the Rapper's mixtape 'Coloring Book' was the first streaming-only album to win a Grammy, highlighting the changing landscape of music consumption within hip hop.

DMX's gruff delivery and introspective lyrics, dealing with his inner struggles and hardships, brought a new level of emotional depth to hip hop in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

A Tribe Called Quest stood out for their literary lyrics, social consciousness, and their contributions to the jazz-rap subgenre with albums like 'The Low End Theory'.

Dr. Dre's production work, characterized by heavy use of synthesizers, slow groovy basslines, and funk samples, has defined the G-Funk era and transformed the sound of West Coast hip hop.

J Cole is recognized for his storytelling and lyrical depth, often addressing themes of politics, poverty, and personal struggle, which resonate with a wide audience.

Kool Herc is credited with originating hip hop music in the Bronx, New York City, in the early 1970s. His innovation of using two turntables to extend breaks in funk records is foundational to the genre.

Missy Elliott's innovative music and groundbreaking music videos pushed the boundaries of creativity in hip hop during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Busta Rhymes is known for his energetic performances and rapid delivery style, which have become hallmarks in the hip hop genre and influenced subsequent artists.

Kendrick Lamar's conceptual albums, particularly 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' and 'To Pimp a Butterfly', have been praised for their storytelling, thematic complexity, and social relevance.

Eminem, a best-selling hip hop artist, is known for his rapid-fire lyrics and controversial themes, broadening the genre's appeal across different audiences.

Lil' Kim is recognized for her explicit lyrics and persona, which have challenged the norms of female representation in hip hop and paved the way for future female rappers.

Lil Wayne is known for his prolific output and innovative use of wordplay and metaphors in his rhymes, which has made a significant impact on the modern landscape of hip hop.

Beastie Boys crossed over from punk to hip hop and became one of the first successful white hip hop groups, leaving a lasting influence with their energetic style and alternative approach to the genre.

Eric B. & Rakim are credited with revolutionizing hip hop with Rakim's complex flow and Eric B.'s strong production, elevating expectations for the lyrical and musical components of the genre.

Jay-Z has been a major influence in the genre for his successful career as a rapper and entrepreneur, with albums such as 'The Blueprint' shaping the sound of hip hop.

Run-DMC were influential in mainstreaming hip hop in the 1980s and were the first group in the genre to have a gold album with their self-titled album 'Run-DMC'.

Nas is renowned for his complex lyrics and masterful storytelling, particularly on his critically acclaimed album 'Illmatic', which is considered a classic in hip hop literature.

Mobb Deep's raw depiction of street life and their production style on the album 'The Infamous' had a profound effect on the sound of hardcore East Coast hip hop.

LL Cool J had a career-defining influence on hip hop with his romantic ballads and hardcore rap tracks, contributing to the diversity of the genre.

Wu-Tang Clan's unique sound and group dynamic, with their raw unfiltered lyrics and kung-fu aesthetic, brought attention to the New York rap scene in the early 1990s.

2 Live Crew's legal battles over their explicit content in the 1980s played a key role in establishing the legal precedent for freedom of speech in music and the use of Parental Advisory labels.