Without question the most intelligent, artistic rap group during the 1990s, A Tribe Called Quest jump-started and perfected the hip-hop alternative to hardcore and gangsta rap. In essence, they abandoned the macho posturing rap music had been constructed upon, and focused instead on abstract philosophy and message tracks. The "sucka MC" theme... [+] Read More

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One of the better sociopolitical rappers of the late '80s and early '90s, Def Jef (born Jeffrey Forston) released an excellent debut (1989's Just a Poet With Soul) and a mildly disappointing follow-up (1991's Soul Food) before going into production. When he left the MC spotlight, he worked on records by a number of artists -- as a producer and... [+] Read More

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One of the few professional athletes to make a bid for rap success, Deion Sanders recorded an album (Prime Time) and a pair of singles ("Must Be the Money" and "Prime Time Keeps on Tickin'") in 1995 for Bust It Records. The recordings didn't make much impact, and Sanders continued on with his famous sports career, where he became the only... [+] Read More

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