From a Harlem hip-hop perspective, these artists have had a major impact on the genre and continue to shape its sound and style.
Big L was a rapper who was active in the mid-to-late 90s and was one of the most influential MCs to come out of Harlem. With his complex rhyme patterns and razor-sharp lyrics, Big L was a pioneer in the New York rap scene and left a lasting impact on the genre.
Big L:
- Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
- The Big Picture
Tupac Shakur is a legendary rapper who rose to prominence in the 90s and became one of the most iconic artists in the history of hip-hop. His powerful lyrics and charismatic persona made him a cultural icon, and his influence can still be felt in the music of many of today's biggest hip-hop stars.
Tupac Shakur:
- 2Pacalypse Now
- Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.
- Me Against the World
- All Eyez on Me
- The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
A$AP Rocky: A$AP Rocky emerged in 2011 as one of the leading voices in the new wave of Harlem hip-hop. His unique blend of trap, psychedelic and boom-bap influences, as well as his distinctive style, made him one of the most exciting artists of his generation.
A$AP Rocky's Studio Albums:
- Long. Live. A$AP (2013)
- At. Long. Last. A$AP (2015)
- Testing (2018)
A$AP Rocky's Mixtapes:
- Live. Love. A$AP (2011)
- Lord$ Never Worry (2012)
- Beauty & The Beast: Slowed Down Sessions (Chapter 1) (2012)
- Instrumentals (2013)
A$AP Rocky's EP's:
- Purple Swag: Chapter 2 (2011)
- A$AP Rocky & A$AP Ant: Money Man (2015)
Diddy: Diddy is a rapper, producer, and business magnate who rose to fame in the 1990s as one of the leading voices of East Coast hip-hop. His long-standing presence in the rap game, combined with his success as a music executive and entrepreneur, has made him one of the most influential figures in hip-hop.
Diddy's albums:
- No Way Out (1997)
- Forever (1999)
- The Saga Continues... (2001)
- Press Play (2006)
- Last Train to Paris (2010)
- MMM (Money Making Mitch) (2015)
Cam'ron: Cam'ron is a rapper and record executive from Harlem. He is best known for his work as a member of The Diplomats, and his solo albums have been widely regarded as some of the most innovative and influential of the 2000s.
Cam'ron:
- Confessions of Fire
- Sports, Drugs & Entertainment
- Come Home with Me
- Purple Haze
- Killa Season
Mase: Mase is a rapper and producer from Harlem who rose to fame in the late 1990s as one of the leading voices of East Coast hip-hop. His smooth flow and unique style have made him one of the defining artists of his generation, and his music continues to be widely influential.
Mase:
- Harlem World
- Double Up
- Welcome Back
Max B: Max B is a rapper from Harlem who rose to fame in the mid-2000s for his work as a member of the hip-hop collective The Wave Gang. His music is characterized by its gritty, street-inspired lyrics and hard-hitting beats, and he continues to be hugely influential in the world of hip-hop.
Max B:
- Million Dollar Baby
- Public Domain 2
- The Waviest
- Vigilante Season
- Wave God
Jim Jones: Jim Jones is a rapper and record executive from Harlem. He is best known for his work as a member of the hip-hop group The Diplomats, which he co-founded with Cam'ron. Throughout his career, Jones has been known for his distinctive flow and unique voice, and he remains one of the defining artists of the Harlem hip-hop scene.
Jim Jones:
- On My Way to Church
- Harlem: Diary of a Summer
- Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment)
- Capo
- The Ghost of Rich Porter
Juelz Santana: Juelz Santana is a rapper and producer from Harlem. He is best known for his work as a member of The Diplomats, and his solo albums have been widely praised for their hard-hitting beats and energetic rhymes.
Juelz Santana:
- From Me to U
- What the Game's Been Missing!
- Born to Lose, Built to Win
The Diplomats (also known as Dipset): The Diplomats are a hip-hop group from Harlem that formed in the late 1990s. They are best known for their gritty, street-inspired lyrics and energetic performances, and their music continues to be hugely influential to this day.
A$AP Ferg: A$AP Ferg is a rapper and producer from Harlem. He is best known for his work as a member of the A$AP Mob, and his solo albums have been widely praised for their fusion of trap, punk and hip-hop influences.
A$AP Ferg:
- Trap Lord
- Alwaysiul Ferg
- Alwaysiul Forever
- Still Striving
- Floor Seats
Dave East: Dave East is a rapper from Harlem who rose to prominence in the late 2010s for his work as an independent artist. His music is characterized by its hard-hitting beats and aggressive rhymes, and he has been widely praised for his ability to channel the spirit of classic East Coast hip-hop.
Dave East:
- Karma
- Paranoia
- Paranoia 2
- Survival
Vado: Vado is a rapper from Harlem who rose to prominence in the mid-2000s for his work as a member of the hip-hop group Dip
Vado:
- Slime Flu
- Slime Flu 2
- Slime Flu 3
A$AP Nast: A$AP Nast is a rapper from Harlem who is best known for his work as a member of the A$AP Mob. He has been praised for his hard-hitting rhymes and energetic performances, and his music continues to be hugely influential in the world of hip-hop.
A$AP Nast:
- Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends
- Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy
Kool Moe Dee is an American rapper, DJ and hip hop artist from Harlem, New York. He was one of the pioneers of the old school hip hop scene and is known for his socially conscious lyrics and battles against other rappers. Some of his most notable albums include:
- How Ya Like Me Now (1987)
- Knowledge is King (1989)
- Funke, Funke Wisdom (1992)
- Interlude (1994)
Darryl McDaniels, also known as DMC, is a member of the legendary hip-hop group Run-DMC. He, along with Joseph "Run" Simmons and Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell, formed Run-DMC in the early 1980s and went on to release several classic albums and hit songs that helped to shape the sound of hip-hop and define the genre. Some of Run-DMC's most famous albums include "King of Rock," "Raising Hell," and "Tougher Than Leather." DMC continues to perform and record music to this day, and is considered to be one of the most influential hip-hop artists of all time.
Black Rob is a former rapper best known for his 2000 hit single "Whoa!" He was signed to Bad Boy Records, the label founded by Sean "Diddy" Combs. Over the course of his career, he released four studio albums: "Life Story" (2000), "The Black Rob Report" (2005), "Game Tested, Streets Approved" (2011), and "Genuine Article" (2021).
In conclusion, these artists have left a lasting impact on the Harlem hip-hop scene and have helped to shape the genre as a whole. Their music continues to inspire new generations of artists, and their legacy will live on for years to come.