B2K, Bow Wow, Waka Flocka Flame, Jeremih, Pretty Ricky, Amerie, Young Joc, Crime Mob, et Dem Franchize Boyz

When it comes to prodigies, very few in history can hold a candle to the man born Shad Gregory Moss, who is 27 years old at the time of writing, and is already an astonishing 21 year veteran in the world of hip-hop and pop. His passion for hip-hop began growing at the age of three, and by the time he was six years old he had began rapping, at first for his friends and for himself, but very soon after he started, people around him realized that he was seriously good at it for his age. So good that he hopped on stage at a Snoop Dogg concert in his native Columbus and started rapping to an audience of thousands of rabid hip-hop fans. Against all probability, everyone in attendance was seriously impressed, none more so than Snoop himself, who came up to him after the show to bestow on him the new name Lil' Bow Wow, and ask him if he wanted to come to L.A with him to start a hip-hop career properly.

Moss spent the next five years in California, and wouldn't actually release anything until after he was introduced to a record producer by the name of Jermaine Dupri in 1998, who would go on to produce and executive produce most everything that the young rapper would release afterwards to this very day. His debut album “Beware Of Dog” would come out in 2000 and was an immediate hit, powered it's top twenty hit of a lead single “Bounce With Me”. While the album itself would be certified double platinum just over six months after its release, it would go on to be bettered by his first album after dropping the “Lil'” from his stage name. His third album, “Unleashed”, came in 2003, and its lead single “Let's Get Down”, a collaboration with Cash Money Records head Birdman became his biggest hit to date by a mile, peaking at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Moss spent the rest of the decade as one of the most commercially successful rapper and pop stars around, with three top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in the form of his Omarion collaboration “Let Me Hold You”, his track with then-girlfriend Ciara “Like You” and 2006's “Shortie Like Mine”. Since then, Moss has made the tricky transition from teen-idol to genuine pop star better than anyone since Justin Timberlake, and with his long awaited seventh album “Underrated” coming soon, he comes highly recommended.

Flocka Flame was born in South Jamaica, Queens, New York, but raised in Atlanta after his family went on to settle there; unlike many of his contemporaries, though, his isn’t quite a rags to riches tale. Indeed, his mother actually managed Gucci Mane for a while, and is the CEO of a management company that has also, at some point, counted the likes of Nicki Minaj and French Montana amongst its clients. That, in itself, leaves Flocka Flame in an unusual position; his comfortable upbringing was likely never going to provide him with much in the way of material with which to base his records around, but then again, he’s never really been one to play the traditional hip hop game; after all, how many rappers, like Flocka Flame did in 2011, would pose nude for PETA to protest the killing of animals for the purpose of wearing fur?

His debut record, “Flockaveli”, involved complex lyrical themes and genuine, unabashed aggression across the course of its hour-plus running time, and tracks like “Hard in da Paint” and “No Hands” made a name for Flocka Flame. Since then, his career has unfolded in soap opera style - he made a record, “Ferrari Boyz”, with Gucci Mane before going on to become embroiled in a very public - and recently-resolved - spat with him, and his live performances have taken him everywhere from supporting Drake on tour to playing at the legendary Reading and Leeds Festivals in the UK. He’s now set to release two new albums - both the much delayed “Flockaveli 2” and a new EDM record, “Turn Up God.”

Jeremih has been experimenting with music since the early age of three. As a child he taught himself how to play various instruments and participated in marching band and a Latin jazz band while in high school. He continued his musical ambitions while attending college and collaborated with producer Mick Schultz to create the song “My Ride”. As Jeremih was starting to gain more prominence with his music he was soon able to audition for the A&R department at Def Jam Recordings, who immediately signed him to the label after the audition.

His debut self-titled album was released in 2009 and gained him both critical and commercial acclaim. The album was quick to gain a following and reached the No. 6 slot on the Billboard 200 charts. The album featured hit singles such as “Birthday Sex” and “Imma Star (Everywhere We Are)”, which are constant staples in Jeremih’s setlists. “Birthday Sex” reached the No. 4 slot in the Billboard Hot 100 charts and has been certified platinum. The single contained smooth bass lines and Jeremih’s soft, silky voice that gained him comparison to one of his major influences, R. Kelly.

Jeremih’s second album “All About You” showed him continuing with his soulful take on music as well as collaborating with notable artists such as Ludacris and 50 Cent. His song “Down on Me”, which featured 50 Cent contained a more energetic hip hop vibe and included a music video that was innovatively presented in 3D.

Jeremih has collaborated with a diverse group of artists during his career including Busta Rhymes, French Montana, T.I., Wale, and Rick Ross. Jeremih has also performed with the R&B legend Lionel Richie on the song “Just Go” for the ABC show “One Life to Live”. Jeremih’s tour schedule is often very hectic and he is likely to pack out the venue wherever he tours. Whenever he tours he is likely to be sharing the bill with other notable performers. In the past he has toured with the likes of Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, and Soulja Boy. His music continues to grow deeper and richer in sound with each release and his soulful music will always seem to find itself at the top of the charts.

The rap-pop four piece formed in Miami, Florida, US in 1997 and made a point to transfer the bright and freestyle nature of the city into their music. Though their sound reflected the teen-pop qualities of acts like the Jackson 5 and Boyz II Men their style was anything, but innocent. They layered these saccharine sound nuggets with night club sleaze beckoning the obscene, but undeniably hilarious styles of Funkadelic and 70s era James Brown.

The group consists of brothers Spectacular and Baby Blue as well as members Corey Blue “Slick ‘Em” and Pleasure P; however, the group underwent several line up changes starting at the turn of the decade. One of the group’s founding members Milk B left in 2000 and Pleasure P was replaced by Mowet in 2007. Other replacement members included Ambition/4play, J. Long, and Lingerie. These members joined in the late 2000’s; however, they all departed from the group within a few years. Pleasure P pursued a solo career in 2007 and hit success with his 2009 album “The Introduction of Marcus Cooper”; however, he returned to Pretty Ricky in 2014.

Although the group formed in 1997, they did not put out their studio debut “Bluestars” until 24 May 2005. The album was released through Atlantic records and debuted on the US Charts at No. 16. Their 2nd studio album “Late Night Special” surpassed the success the group achieved with their first album, taking the coveted No.1 spot on the US Charts and striking gold status. Their sophomore release featured the 3 singles “On the Hotline”, “Love Like Honey”, and “Push It Baby”, the latter featuring Sean Paul.

Their 3rd self-titled album did considerably worse in sales as did its predecessors; however it did make it into the Billboard 200. This was their 1st album without Pleasure P; however, he returned to issue the group’s 4th studio debut “Bluestars 2”, which saw release in 2014.