The 10 Most Influential Caribbeans in Hip Hop Culture By Jeff CarrollHip Hop is one of the greatest creations we descendents of African captives have produced. Hip Hop has produced tremendous wealth for us. It has changed American society and it is influencing world culture. Hip Hop’s greatest legacy is it’s ability to provide a path to economic wealth for America’s poor. The future impact of Hip Hop on the world is uncharted and something we all should embrace.
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Kool DJ Herc, Clive Campbell, Kingston, Jamaica, born 1955
He is an undisputed founding member of Hip Hop. He held outdoor street parties in the Bronx, NYC in the late 70’s. He came to NYC at 10 years old and brought his Jamaican rhymes and attitude with him. Kool DJ Herc spun the musical breaks in all types of songs that kept his parties hype which demonstrated what Hip Hop was. He is credited with naming and promoting Hip Hop and is widely regarded as “The Father of Hip Hop.”
Grand Master Flash, Joseph Saddle, Barbados, Born 1958
As a DJ his skill at speed mixing popularized Hip Hop DJing and made him one of the World’s most recognized DJ’s. He has remained a DJing advocate ever since he stood his ground against the push to switch the group and DJ lead structure to an MC lead structure when his group Grand Master Flash and The Furious Five split with MC Melly Mel. As a solo artist he produced 2 more albums with another group. He is credited with popularizing Hip Hop DJing and DJ producers.
Notorious B.I.G., Christopher Wallace, Jamaica, born 1972-1997
Considered the best lyricist ever in Hip Hop by many Hip Hoppers. Along with Hip Hop mogul Sean Puffy Combs he heightened the materialism as well the gangster image. He is credited with popularizing gangster rap. He legacy is still being made through the activities of his Patwa speaking mother.
Wyclef Jean, Croix-de-Bouquets, Haiti Born 1972
He probably reps for his Caribbean Island the most out of any other Hip Hopper. Born in Haiti, he moved to New Jersey at age 10. As a member of the group the Fugees he proudly boasts about his Haitian culture. He easily announced his nationality at a time when it was unpopular to say you were from Haiti because of nasty rumors that the man made AIDS disease came from there. Wyclef is credited for popularizing cultural awareness and pride.
Luther R. Campbell, Bahamian and Jamaican, Born 1960
Still the most famous Hip Hop figure to come out of Miami, Florida. As a member of the group T2 Live Crew, Luke pushed the limits of freedom of speech and was sued for selling sexually explicit lyrics to children. After winning the law suit he opened the door for more sexually charged rap lyrics. Since then he has produced many XXX videos. Luke is credited with advancing pornography in Hip Hop.
Doug E Fresh, Doug E Davis, Barbados, Born 1967
Hailed as the Greatest Entertainer in Hip Hop. Through the use of his mouth and charismatic personality Doug is still the most celebrated Beat Boxer in the world. A strict vegetarian he has steered his 20+ year career clear of gangster and sexually promotional songs. Doug was a member of the Stop the Violence movement and even toured Colleges raising social consciousness with The Get Busy Tour. Doug is credited with being a long lasting positive figure in Hip Hop.
Foxy Brown, Inga Marchaud, Trinidad/Asian, Born 1979
Foxy Brown is one of the most recognized Hip Hop females. In the 90’s her sexy outfits and gangster lyrics made her a top rap artist. Through the use of the sexually provocative costumes worn in Trinidad during the celebration of Carnival she helped popularize the sexiness of Hip Hop women. Foxy’s choice to use these carnival costumes designed to arouse men and get them to release their sexual sins as performance outfits credits her with increasing the importance of sexuality in Hip Hop clothes.
Fat Joe, Joseph Cartagena, Puerto Rico, 1970
He is currently the #1 Latino rapper in the world. He has attracted a bilingual audience with his heavy hitting English and Spanglish lyrics. With lyrics full of Puerto Rican pride, his chart topping songs have given not only Latinos from Puerto Rico worldwide recognition but, all Spanish speaking Caribbeans. Fat Joe is a Hip Hop icon. He is credited for making Latin culture something that everyone could enjoy.
Prince Markie Dee, Mark Morales, Puerto Rico, Born 1960
As the respected MC of the group The Fat Boys Prince Markie Dee took his fun image from records to film. His appearances in just 2 movies and music videos displayed a non-threatening example of Hip Hopper. He is currently a radio personality at Miami’s own 103.5 The Beat. He is credited with advancing Hip Hop’s youth appeal.
Busta Rhymes, Trever Smith Jr., Jamaica born 1972
One of the Hottest rappers in Hip Hop history with a unique style that has given him number one hits for over 15 years. He has been able to get respect from all Hip Hoppers by having an image that is not gangster or perverted. The content of Busta’s songs are on a variety of subjects. He is credited with being a long lasting Hip Hop celebrity that is entertaining enough to rock a crowd just like the hardest hardcore thugged out, sex promoting rappers.
Honorable mention to other Caribbean rappers:
Kid Creole
Kangol Kid
Tito
Special Ed
Star (of The Star And Bucwild Show)
Jazzy Joyce
Big Pun
Mad Lion
Trugoy (of De La Soul)
Crazy Legs
Mr. Wiggles
Karl Kani
Mello Man Ace
Shakim Compere
Herbie “Love Bug” Azor
Question: Do you think Hip-Hop should crash and burn now, or will there be a revival of the more socially conscious hip-hop artist and culture? Holla back!
(Sidenote: Supa's in one of her full-moon moody kind of funks today. Hopefully she'll snap out of it and post more later. Peace ya'll.)
13 comments:
I'll bring the matches and lighter fluid...
damn i never paid attention to that.i'll answer ur question later.
Hip Hop is an art form just as Jazz, Blues, R & B, Latin, and the rest. My take as an OGD and an artist is that it ain't going no dayum where, nor should it. These are artists expressing themselves and if this is the heart of the artist, and their means of expression it will be here. Should the artists evolve into a different form of expression as most artists do, then the art world is better for that just by means of experiencing the growth of an artist.
I think the Hip Hop Art Form and the era in which it was born is in itself it's own "Renaissance Of The Age Of A New Artist and Artform." Some artists have been criticized by their growth and movement into other areas such as acting. Where maybe all music artists can't act, some have pulled it off quite well. That all goes back to raw ass talent being developed into polished talent. You either have it or you don't. Well at least that's how I see it.
BTW as far as the artists of Caribbean descent, Wyclef is my favorite and I think he is brilliant!
And on a final note and paraphrasing the words of Ms. Badu, I'm an Artist and I too am sensitive about my shit.
That One Girl - I'd heard that Foxy was half Filipino, but somehow I just thought it was part of the "exotic" hype...even though we know you can still be some other ethnicity and not LOOK it...aww hell...Ize confused...
But I DO know she's gone deaf. Po' thang.
JA & CG - I fall somewhere between both of your sentiments!!
Just aa long as the "few" keep sneaking in I'm straight. Now if even the "few" turn to the dark side, well then lets just find a new artform.
Girl you just gave me a hip hop lesson. Most of this I didn't even know, especially Foxy Brown and her "costumes." Who knew they actually had meaning? All this time I just thought she was a struggling ho...I mean artist.
my favourite subject. damn supe you done chronicled the whole shit. very good blog entry. 21 gunshat! do you get affected by the moon as well. I celebrate the full moon and play really careful. mad runnings always catch up with me around full moon. lunar madness
hip hop aint gonna crash and burn. it's a authentic tradition and you know people always gotta tell their stories. now for the social scene. I don't know, I suppose we have to be free of corporate tinkering first. regardless the underground railroad thrives. heartening stuff.
Preach, Obi! Preach brotha. Alas, the underground is always thriving. Must remember that and support it. Sometimes a sis gets caught up in this commercialized crack music on the airwaves...
ha ha lunar madness 4 real! yup.
How does the song go "Well I just sit around here--so low I can't under it--so high I can't over..." Hip-Hop will change most definitely like everything else; however, the residuals will remain in the hearts of many like the Mo-Town days. Technology is the main thing in favor of Hip-Hop I feel for it allows for the expansion of it across the borders (Internet)--peer-to-peer programs etc. The market options are more vast than ever, but I feel an explosion coming... The lava of conscious folks will say enough of the kill-kill, booty snatcher poppin'..Oh and people like us who rant and rage over injustices, life etc. will always be hip-hop in our opinions to mass society. I won't knock it though--"it takes a nation of million to hold us back!"
Grand Master Flash...now that's a flash back right there.
I fainted at a Grand Master Flash concert once..it's a long story, but it has to do with a cashmere sweater, and some leggings, with boots and three fat chics in louis vuitton sweat suits taking sucking up all the air...
i digress...excellent post!
even though i though kid creole was just creole!
Miss Ahmad - well you're gonna have to bless us with that story!
Thanks, Brotha Z!
i really hope there will be a revival. i'm not excited about hip-hop. i like the radio hits but that was never hip-hop. the best songs were never played on the radio. i never heard "my philosphy" by BDP on the radio. Their is no integrity in hip-hop. Exceptions being the Roots, Common, Talib, MOS, Missy.
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