Listing the Most Influential Artists of All Time

It isn’t surprising that hip hop has become a global phenomenon. You can visit a nightclub at any place in the world, and you’ll find quality hip-hop tunes being blasted throughout the room. Hip hop has truly transformed the way we live. It has enabled artists to sell millions of records, influenced our fashion, created new trends, and has been the catalyst for social change.

The genre has its roots back in the 1970s in New York. However, it didn’t take long for this music to expand globally. Certain artists have truly pioneered this music genre and made it this far. From the DJs to the MCs, we owe these people a lot of gratitude for making hip hop a global phenomenon. 

Hip hop has dominated worldwide music charts for as far as we can remember. If you go to some of the best music album review sites, you’ll find hip-hop music near the top of every list. Hip hop has come this far only because of certain influential artists who have contributed to the evolution of this genre. Let’s look at some of the most influential artists, in no particular order, of all time.

Beastie Boys

The Beastie Boys were formed in NYC in the year 1981. Their innovative music style and subsequent success have always been hard to replicate, even in today’s era where technology has played a huge role in making music. They found their original fame as a hardcore punk band. However, they abandoned their pursuit of producing hardcore music and eventually moved towards rap and hip hop.

Their first album, licensed to III, was a huge hit when released in 1986 and found subsequent success with their other albums like Paul’s Boutique and Hello Nasty. They have firmly cemented their position as one of the most influential hip-hop bands/artists.

N.W.A

You can’t have an influential hip-hop list without having N.W.A on the list. The band was formed in Compton on the west coast and quickly found fame with their unique music. Arabian Prince, Dr Dre, Ice Cube, and Eazy-E were the group’s founders. They used their music to tackle many social issues prevalent in the country at that time. Their songs and music heavily influenced the social culture and issues of race in the 20th century. Apart from that, they were influential in hip hop and rock evolution.

Nas

Nas is another popular MC that has had a great influence on the world of hip-hop. He began his music career, and his first album, Illmatic, firmly established him as one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time. He was one of the influential hip-hop artists of his time, and he mainly focused on his production and storytelling. His album, Illmatic, is ranked as one of the best hip-hop music albums.

Nas provided a blueprint to follow for all amateur hip-hop artists looking to succeed in their careers. His work in the revival of the East Coast hip-hop scene was instrumental. To this day, he is considered one of the best of his generation, and people still listen to his work religiously.

Jay-Z

While Jay-Z is more known for his high-profile marriage with Beyonce and other interests outside of music, his contribution to the world of hip-hop can’t be ignored. His work is smooth, and The Black Album is also considered one of the best hip-hop and rap albums. He has always been at the forefront of hip hop and has been continuously dishing out top songs that have dominated the radio charts. There’s no denying that Jay-Z has played his part in transforming the hip-hop scene.

Notorious B.I.G

The notorious B.I.G, better known as Biggie Smalls, created a revolution in the hip hop world. He is nothing short of a legend when it comes to hip hop. Raised in Brooklyn, his first album, Ready to Die, created a buzz within the music community. He was the face of the East Coast Hip Hop revolution. Biggie Smalls has always been known for his in-depth lyrics and quality production. His cultural legacy is still prevalent and has inspired a generation of hip-hop artists.

Eminem

Well, we couldn’t miss out on Eminem, could we? Slim Shady is arguably the best hip-hop artist of all time. Love him, hate him, but his music has inspired millions of people across the globe. He has firmly cemented his place as one of the pioneers of the hip-hop culture we experience today. You can learn more about the guy by watching his movie 8 Mile. In saying that, his albums and songs have dominated radio charts and have broken records. Listening to his songs will provide you with a sense of appreciation for the tremendous work he has done for the world of hip hop and rap.

Tupac Shakur

Tupac is considered the god of hip-hop. Tupac has been so influential in the spread of hip hop that it is wise to call him the hip hop pioneer. He is regarded as the best rapper and hip-hop artist of all time. He was the face of the East Coast hip-hop revival. His songs went beyond just music, influenced cultures, and tackled race issues. He was also the face of a cultural revolution on the East Coast.

If you’re looking for the latest album reviews, go to SpoiledCabbage.com, a great album review website covering hundreds of musicians from every generation. They offer album reviews from oldies like the Beatles and Rolling Stones to modern-day pop artists like Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Olivia Rodrigo, Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, and Adele.

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