Kanye West, there's not many people who have not heard of him. You've heard his songs. He is also a 10, yes ten time Grammy award winner. With very successful singles like "Jesus Walks", "Gold Digger" "Stronger" "Love Lockdown" and many more. He has made a total of 4 albums throughout his whole career. His first being "The Collage Dropout" then "Late Registration" "Graduation" and his newest album "808's And Heartbreak". 808's And Heartbreak was released on November 24th, I have thouroughly listened to it, and was not dissapointed. He deviates alot from his other style which he had on the first 3 albums. Using a known technique called AutoTune, which measures the pitch on a persons voice and adds a sythensyzer to the tone. It's a cool effect, while some people might not enjoy it, I personally think he used it in the right ways.

Dr. Dre....For any fanatic who listens to Rap, and even Hip-Hop, you must know Dre. He helped establish a lot of the Talent out there today. In all, Dre has released a total of 2 albums, he found most success with his latter album titled "2001" which was released in 1999. The "Up in smoke tour" defiantly helped in the sales. Along side with Eminem, Snoop Dog, Warren G, Nate Dog. They toured all over America.

His new Album that should be released anytime now, "Detox" he had announced it shortly after his first album, its been almost 10 years. There where many rumours throughout the years on when it would be released from 2002,2004,2007, and 2008. The album seems to be heading toward a 2009 release. Dre in interviews stated that it would be released shortly Eminems next album "Relapse". According to the insiders that worked with Dre, have said that over 100 songs had been recorded, but as Dre being a perfectionist, the album will only have 13 songs max according to interviews.
Dre had Produced many, many songs in his career, I consider him the Godfather of producing. He helped create names for Eminem, G-Unit, Mary J Blige, D12, Snoop Dog, Hittman, Warren G, NateDog, Daz, Korupt, Missy Eliot, Jay-Z, Bishop Lamont, N.W.A, Ice Cube, and many others. His main instrument of choice is an MPC3000 which, he groups drums and other sounds to hsi likes, works much like a keyboard, but instead of a rectangle its more like a square. Dre has also been in Movies, Including " The Wash", "Training Day", and a few others.

Recently Dre has lost his son (Andre Young Jr.) , which is believed to be another reason why his album has been pushed back till next year. His Son was found dead in his Woodland Hills home on the Morning of August 23rd, 2008. Andre was only 20 years old, and had recorded one album that Dre helped produce.

Dr. Dre (Andre Romelle Young) was born on February 18th, 1965 , In Los Angeles California. Although he was raised in Compton. His Pseudonym originated from his favorite basketball player Julius Erving Dr. J. His brother Warren G is also a Producer, Him and Dre helped establish names for themselves in the early 90's. Also a Member of " World Class Wrecking Crew" Dre earned a spot from producing for Easy-E and D.O.C, which later became a Rap pioneer, Being a member, Co-Producer and Rapper of the Controversial group N.W.A (Niggaz With Attitude). The group became very successful, they where promoted by endless scandles, and messages of street violence. Their Album "Strait Outta Compton" went Platinum with very minimal radio play.

The group disbanded in 91', but Dre kept the momentum, He had Established Death Row Record along side Marion "Suge" Knight. Shortly after his first album " The Chronic" was release and sold over 3 million copies, earning him 2 Grammy awards, and is considered to be one the most influential rap albums ever. Dre around the time was also crowned one of the most Creative Producers, and this when things really started taking off for Dr. Dre. In the Summer of 1996 Dre. left Death Row Records, to establish Aftermath, which received considerable media attention. He soon went on forward to produce one of the most popular album in Decades, Eminem's Slim Shady LP. Fast forward a few years later, Dre released his second album "2001" which received a Great Deal of media attention, alot of radio play, and is where he earned most of his popularity, with more then 5 songs being hit singles. To date the Dr. has been under wraps, producing for many others, while his next album to be Released in 2009. Look out for DETOX!

You have defiantly heard some of Mike's music. He has created some of the most memorable songs in the last few years. From both Rap & Rock, and a Member of a very popular band called Linkin Park. His other side project you might know, Fort Minor, is more like an experimental band. While Fort minor focuses on more the lyrical note of things leaning towards the Hip-Hop side. On the other hand we have Linkin Park, which is Rock/Alternative. Mike Shinoda being a Vocalist, Guitarist and Producer. Creating some of the very fine singles such as,
"Crawling" "In the End" "Breaking the Habbit" "Faint" "Somewhere i Belong" "Numb" "Bleed it out"

Linkin Park the band was formed in 1996 consisting of 3 High School friends, Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, and Rob Bourden. After Graduation was when things really started turning in their world of music. Before Linkin Park had become their band was called Xero. Taking interest in music more seriously, the band began creating music in Shinoda's make shift bedroom studio. After failure in finding a record label, frustrations grew and they had lost their main Vocalist which was Mark Wakefield. After a decent amount of searching they had found Arizona vocalist Chester Bennington. Chester a formal member of the band Grey Daze, had such a unique and outstanding style of singing, which made him a strong applicant. Once Chester joined the band they agreed upon changing their name from Xero to Hybrid Theory The bond between Shindoa and Chester had revived the spirits of the band.

The band once again decided to change their name, resolving in the final name Linkin Park, a homage to Santa Monica's Lincoln Park. Despite the groups major changes the band yet, struggled to sign a record label. The band tunred to Jeff Blue, although failing to reach Warners Bro. Records on three previous reviews, Jeff Blue now the vice president of the Company Signed Linkin Park in 1999. So Fourth allowing them to release the major breakthorugh album - Hybrid Theory. The album gained them alot of media attention, eventually the band re-released the album as a remixed version called Re-Animation.

Following the Great success on their debut album, Linkin Park released Meteora, which is arguabaly their best album ever. Selling over 800,000 albums in the first week, and being on top in the Billboard Charts. As well as doing a side album that included Jay-Z, Collision Course. Their Newest album Minutes to Midnight, following the trend of their other albums, did good number all around.

Mike Shinoda (Michael Kenji Shinoda) Was born in Agoura Hills, California. His Father Japanese American and his Mother European Native American. He graduated from Art college in Pasadena and also majored in illustration. His first job was being a graphic designer, he then moved on to forming the roots of Linking Park. Mike designed the cover for the Hybrid Theory cd and did alot of the designs for the Meteora and Reanimation booklets and Digipak sleeves. Mike has produced 3 Linkin Park CD's - "Hybrid Theory EP," "Reanimation" and "Collision Course". He Formed Fort Minor because he could not demonstrate as much of his hip-hop background in Linkin Park. He has also produced and worked alongside alot for other people Including, Lupe Fiasco, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, The X-ecutioners, Busta Rhymers and many more.
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Who is he? He was the Lead Singer/Song Writer/Guitarist of a Well known band named Nirvana. You may heard some of the songs, their hit singles include: "Smell's Like Teen Spirit" "Come As You Are" "In Bloom" "Polly". Cobain is often recognized as one of the most iconic musician in Alternative music. At the age of 14 Cobain received his first guitar as birthday gift from his uncle. Cobain didn't have anyone to jam with, so after months of asking, Novoselic finally agreed to play along side with him. Forming the foundation of Nirvana. They picked up drummer Chad Channing, with whom Nirvana recorded their first album "Bleach" in 1989. Cobain, dissatisfied with Channing's style, causing the band to seek out a new drummer, eventually setting on David Grohl. With Grohl as their new drummer. Nirvana found their greatest success via their Major level Debut & second album titled "Nevermind" which was released in 1991.
The Downfall of Nirvana.
Throughout most of his life, Cobain struggled with Chronic Bronchitis, and physical pain due to an undiagnosed stomach condition. He had a couple of drug addiction including "Marijuana" "Heroin" and "Percodan". Cobain's heroin addiction worsened over the years, He made his first attempt of Rehab in 1992, which in the long wasn't successful. On March 1, 1994 Cobain was diagnosed with bronchitis and severe laryngitis. On march 18th his wife Courtney Love called the police to inform them that Cobain was Suicidal, and that he had locked himself in a room with a gun. Policed arrived in time, and confiscated several guns and pills from Cobain. Over the course of April 2nd & 3rd Cobain was spotted in various places in Seattle, although family and friends where unaware of his whereabouts. On April 7, many rumors that Nirvana was going to brake up had driven high. On the verge of the Grunge style of rock, the band pulled out from Lollapolooza (an American Music Festival) that year.
On April 8th, 1994 Cobains body was found at his Lake Washington Home. A suicide note was found that said, "I haven't felt the excitement of listening to as well as creating music, along with really writing . . . for too many years now" A high concentration of heroin and traces of Valium were also found in his body. They Believe he died on April 5th by a shotgun to his head. A public vigil was held for Cobain on April 10 at a park at Seattle Center which drew approximately seven thousand mourners. Cobain was a devoted champion of eary Alternative Rock acts. He Helped define the Alternative Rock Genre.

He is the Smartest Rapper of our generation in my personal opinion. He is also my favorite rapper at the moment. The way he clearly illustrates his lyrics, and down to the mellow beats that help define his words. He doesn't do Gangster Rap like many of other people do, and he is not in it for the money. His song "Dumb it Down" is clearly sending a message to the whole rap game. What other Rapper besides Lupe would dare Rap about Skateboarding, and have a hit first single? With the Hits " Kick,Push","SuperStar" , and "Hip Hop Saved My Life" definitely helped put him on the map. His debut album, and Grammy Award winner Food & Liquor considered a critical masterpiece by many critics. Soon Followed by his Second Album The Cool going gold in the united states by selling over 500,000. He is set to release his last and final album before retirement in 2009, many people will grieve for hip hop's greatest loss.

Lupe Fiasco(Wasalu Muhammad Jaco) was born and raised on the Westside of Chicago, in which he never gave in to the negative life that surrounded him. I suppose that his Muslim background helped in the struggle of living in the "Ghettos". Nas was one the most influential people to Lupe, He was so inspired by him, that Lupe decided to start rapping after he quit do to the violent imagery that N.W.A Records showed. Lupe would definitely fall into the "Smart" category at school. From the mouth of Lupe "What you put out into the world comes back to you. You actually change the world with what you do. I want to put some good in the world."