Long before the music industry revolved around headline-grabbing hip-hop lyricists such as T.I., Eminem, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne, there was a long list of pioneers who came before them. Artists like MC Hammer, who crossed over to the mainstream like none other, and the rabble-rousing self-proclaimed "raptivist" Sister Souljah broke ground and became household names in their heyday. And, of course, hip-hop's don Big Daddy Kane became famous for his lyrical skills as well as his good looks.
Wonder what happened to those rap notables and others?
In celebration of Black Music Month, BlackVoices.com gives you a hip-hop celebrity blast from the past. Check it out.
2008 Deaths
Odetta Holmes
"The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement" was a singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter and activist.
December 31 1930 - December 2 2008.
Ray Tamarra , Getty
Bernie Mac
Comedian, Actor
Oct. 5, 1957 - Aug. 9, 2008.
AP
Isaac Hayes
Singer, songwriter, record producer, composer and actor.
August 20, 1942 - August 10, 2008
Reuters
Miriam Makeba, "Mama Africa"
South African folk singer and anti-apartheid activist.
March 4, 1932 - November 10, 2008.
Reuters
Jennifer Hudson's 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donerson, brother, Jason, and 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, were killed in 2008.
AP
Shakir Stewart
The Island Def Jam executive who became head of the legendary rap label following Jay-Z's departure, killed himself on Nov. 1. He was 34 years old.
Getty
George Carlin
Stand-up comedian, actor and author.
May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008
Getty Images
Madelyn Dunham
Barack Obama's grandmother
October 26, 1922 - Nov 3, 2008.
Getty Images
Levi Stubbs
Oct. 17: The iconic lead singer, second from left, who gave voice to Four Tops classics like "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "Baby I Need Your Loving" died at 72 from complications of cancer and a stroke. Abdul Fakir, far left, is now the sole living member of the original quartet.
Corbis
Dee Dee Warwick
Oct. 18: The soul songstress died after months of declining health. Warwick, the sister of soul legend Dionne, also achieved a great deal of success, both as a solo artist as well as with her sister.
Corbis
Comments: (14)
Add a comment
By: Urbanprincess on 6/19/2009 3:34PM
If it wasn't for the legendary pioneer hip-hop artists there wouldn't be no artists here today. But a lot are in it for the wrong reasons. A lot of Hip-hop artist's today are only in it for the $$$$ not the love. A lot of Hip-Hop music today is negative, disrespectful, an lyrics have no message. We need to go back to those days when it wasn't about materilistic things, disrespecting others, and violence. Back then was about sending a positive message, respecting one another, keepin it real, and having a good time. Artist's today are getting killed over stupid ISH and doesn't make any sense at all?
Most of these Legendary Rap Stars of today are doing well for themselves. There might be some that are struglin and livin off of reality shows just to get by to survive(Flava Flav, Mc. Hammer,ect...) just to name.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Sus7637 on 6/22/2009 2:55PM
Your right about that Urbanprcess! and now here you got everybody wanting to get into rap,and you know what its for..... $$$$$$$$! i dont listen to it because its all garbage rap with nothing behind it,but cursing cursing cursing, n this and b that... with all of 'em copying the others style,and copying their movements. Hot 97 is crap and play nothing but crap! all the radio stations in new york sucks and they play absolutely nothing good,but the same thing over and over. (its pitiful)i dont know what happened.
Report This
By: blkbabe on 6/21/2009 11:04PM
Love her smile and her confidence. She always has a positive attitude and that is what makes her outstanding. Everytime I signed in the site (~~BlackCentury~com~~) and some men were talking about her and said she is attractive.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: ol skool on 6/22/2009 11:27AM
you left out the best rappers like LL COOL J & TOO SHORT,WHODINI RUN DMC ETC...
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: adam on 6/22/2009 12:32PM
horrible story line how can you talk about hip hop pioneers and not mention the most important rapper in history RAKIM
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: ian on 6/22/2009 4:23PM
you just killed them with the rewal!!!!!
Report This
By: SPECIAL K on 6/22/2009 12:47PM
First of all, whoever put this article together, didn't do their "due diligence", homework, research or whatever you want to call it...
There were Rappers just as successful or famous as these, that are not on the survey list: RunDMC, Kool Moe D, LL Cool J, Treacherous Three, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, Spoonie Gee, Sweet Tee (2nd Female Rapper), Dimples Dee (1st Female Rapper), Soulsonic Force, Kurtis Blow...all of these should have been considered and half should have been on the survey list...
Second, Jazzy Jeff never rapped in his life, so why is he on the list...if it is because of his affiliation, then Grandmaster Flash, Marley Marl, Red Alert, Kool Herc and Easy Lee should have been on the list, as well...
Do your homework, because "KNOWLEDGE IS POWER"!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: rahkim on 7/04/2009 2:32AM
VANILLA ICE WAS THE BEST RAPPER EVER. EVEN IF I THOUGHT RAP WAS MUSIC, IT MAKES NO SENSE. RAPPERS ARE TALENTLESS PEOPLE. IT MAKES ME SAD TO BE BLACK, THIS IS OUR CLAIM TO FAME, RAPPING, WOW WEE. EVERYDAY I GO TO SLEEP I PRAY TO GOD I WAKE UP WHITE SO I DON'T HAVE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH IGNORANT BLACK RAPPERS. MY WIFE IS WHITE BECAUSE I WOULD NEVER DATE A SMELLY BLACK WOMEN, THEY ARE NOT CLEAN. ALL MY FRIENDS ARE WHITE AND ALL HAVE GOOD JOBS. ALL THE BLACKS I KNOW SMOKE CRACK AND DO NOT SPEAK CORRECTLY. I'M A REPUBLICAN AND HOPE THAT A WHITE PERSON IS SOON BACK IN OFFICE TO REPRESENT OUR COUNTRY AGAIN SOON. I'M GETTING MY NOSE FIXED AND BLEACHING MY SKIN EVERYDAY. I'VE EVEN BEEN ACCEPTED AT THE LOCAL GOLF COURSE AND I'M ALOUD TO GOLF WITH THE WHITE GOLFERS ONCE A WEEK. I LEARN SO MUCH FROM THEM ABOUT STOCKS AND POLITICS, IT'S A JOY AND I DON'T THINK MY BLACK SKIN EVEN BOTHERS THEM ANY MORE. I'M THE ONLY BLACK IN THE CLUB, PRETTY COOL! I MADE IT!
Report This
By: Antoine Williams on 6/22/2009 1:11PM
GOD BLESS OLD SCHOOL HIP-HOP!!!!! Today's music is crap. I mean u have your catchy songs but that what hip-hop is now a bunch of catchy songs. The songs don't have any meaning to it and half the time u can't understand what the HELL there talking about. Now there r still some good artist's out there but compared to back in the day, IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!!!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Angela on 6/22/2009 9:36PM
Ummm why is Lil Kim on this list????? I was a fan back in the day... but she should not even be blessed to this list as far as i'm concerned.
Reply to this Comment | Report This