Despite the recent surge in overtly sensitive or artsy types, there is no denying that one's "toughness" factor is a big thing in rap music. Emcees brag all day long about how many cases they've caught, how many bullets they've taken, and how many people they've gunned and/or beaten down. More often than not, these boastful verses are creative exaggerations for the sake of public perception and record sales. Back in the day, this was called being a "studio gangster." Today, many of these figures in question will freely admit "it's all entertainment." To be sure, there is no shortage of fake thugs on the mic. But still, some of these guys actually are pretty rugged. The following piece gives props to some of hip-hop's hardest artists.

Freddie Foxxx

Freddie Foxxx

Originally from Long Island, Freddie Foxxx (aka Bumpy Knuckles) is basically the dictionary definition of "dude you don't want to f*** with." His history in the game goes way back to the 1980s, when he was rolling with a pre-fame Eric B. Known for his relentlessly aggro rhymes and heavyweight stature, he has been making records for some 20 years now. He was down with Latifah back in the Flavor Unit days, rolled with BDP occasionally, and recorded his first solo LP, Freddie Foxxx Is Here, in 1989. Throughout the '90s he became best known for his ferociously raw, show-stealing cameos, most notably on "The Militia" with longtime homies Gang Starr. He has worked extensively with DJ Premier and also teamed up with NYC all-stars Pete Rock and Diamond D on his classic 2000 album, Industry Shakedown. As legend goes, the label was being funny with his money, which led to some sort of angry confrontation/throwdown. Needless to say, he walked away paid. Foxxx returned in 2003 with Konexion and is gearing up to drop his new record, Amerikkkan Black Man. He has also come out recently attacking Rakim. Questioning his verbal skills and post-Eric B relevance, Freddie challenged The R him to a battle and released an underwhelming diss track. As of press time Rakim has made no comment.

DMX

Ruff Ryder kingpin and all-around lunatic DMX may not be the biggest guy physically, but what he lacks in size he makes up for with sheer unpredictability. His attack-dog flow made him a superstar straight out the gate, and he has an enormous number of platinum hits to his credit; he is also the only artist to have five solo LPs in a row debut at No. 1. He also has one of the most extensive police records in all of hip-hop (which is saying something), with countless arrests for everything from reckless driving to drugs and guns to animal cruelty to impersonating a federal agent. With the help of top-shelf lawyers, he has avoided any lengthy prison stretches, but he still gets locked up on a semiregular basis. DMX is known to wild out at the drop of a hat, yet he is also a very religious man, dedicated to his wife and children. Many speculate that it is a severe drug problem that sets him off, and he himself has alluded to that on occasion. He has also starred in several popular action movies (such as Belly, Exit Wounds, and Cradle 2 the Grave) and has penned his autobiography. Recently, DMX starred in his own reality show on BET and also released his sixth full-length, Year of the Dog...Again. In late September, performing as part of the Back to School Jam concert at the Nassau Collesium, DMX's mic was cut off mid-set. Undaunted, he jumped into the crowd and chased after the soundman and then decided to take out his frustration by destroying some expensive audio equipment. Several members of his crew also got into a small brawl with audience members, resulting in one woman getting hit in the head with a chair. So far, no charges have been filed.

M.O.P.

M.O.P.

Coming out of Brownsville (one of the grimiest sections of Brooklyn), the Mash Out Posse are quite possibly the liveliest, most roughneck act in hip-hop today. Lil Fame and Billy Danze have been cranking out explosive, riot-inciting music since the early 1990s, when they debuted with their classic single "How About Some Hardcore." Closely affiliated with DJ Premier, they have benefited from his untouchable beats over the years, but honestly, they're probably too hard to really cross over. Very respected among longtime heads (especially on the East Coast), but virtually unknown by mainstream America, they have released six full-lengths over the course of their career, though their last big record was "Ante Up" (and its star-studded remix) back in 2000. At one point they were signed to Roc-A-Fella, but the label fell apart before they could release an album. Currently they are on the roster at G-Unit, although they have been conspicuously absent from recent releases. Only time will tell what the future holds for M.O.P., but if you're into extraordinarily hyper street thug music, it really gets no better.

Onyx

A four-man crew representing Queens, Onyx stormed onto the scene in 1993, breaking through with their ultra-rowdy shout-rap anthem "Slam!" The single and the appropriately titled debut album, Bacdafucup, won over hip-hop fans as well as rock listeners, making the group extremely popular in both inner-city hoods and leafy suburban enclaves. Composed of Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz, Suave, and Big DS, the group also had a big street hit with "Throw Ya Gunz." Jam Master Jay helped discover them and produced much of the album, which easily reached platinum status. They went on to release four more full-lengths between 1995 and 2003 but never again scored another crossover hit. Fredro and Sticky have stayed in the public eye thanks to a series of solo albums, mild arrests, and acting work; earlier this year Sticky took on the title role in Blade: The Series, which has since been canceled. Recently Fredro announced the arrival of Yung Onyx, a teenaged group whose debut album, Bangout, he produced. Whether or not the original crew will ever return remains to be seen, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them on the reunion circuit eventually.

X-Raided

X-Raided

One of the first rappers to put Sacramento on the map, X-Raided emerged in 1992, spitting some insanely over-the-top murder/rape/torture rhymes on his outstanding debut, Psycho Active. Produced by like-minded homie Brotha Lynch Hung, the album still stands today as one of the most absurdly blood-drenched and morally depraved rap records ever made. Recorded when he was just 17, pretty much every song on there is about homicide and general mayhem, but its his unusual Cali twang, inventive lyricism, and top-notch beats that make it a classic. Unfortunately for X, he was convicted of a home-invasion murder shortly after the album dropped and was sentenced to 31 years in a maximum-security prison. Through the magic of technology, he has continued to put out CDs from the inside, releasing assorted projects on a semi-regular basis. The newer songs are still hardcore, but he has also mixed up his subject material more, with many tracks contemplating his life and current situation. He is rumored to be working on an autobiography and stays busy recording. The X-Files Vol. 3 The Madman Era hit shelves in 2004.

Honorable Mentions

Brotha Lynch Hung: X-Raided's Sactown partner, Lynch is known for cannibalistic devil raps and crazy independent movies. He also runs his own label and has a great website.

Big Lurch: Obscure Texas rapper who became notorious after killing a woman and eating her lung (!) while high on PCP. He is currently in prison for life.

Necro: The craziest Jewish dude in the game, Necro has been putting out super-extreme gore/porn/junkie records for over a decade on his own Psycho+Logical label.

Nine: An ultra-rugged, gravel-voiced Bronx rapper down with Funk Flex, Nine dropped his debut album Nine Livez in 1995, scoring a hit with the single "Whatcha Want."

Lifer's Group: Early '90s crew made up of random guys doing life in the pen. They released two LPs and several singles, as well as a remix produced by a young DJ Shadow.