The Sugarhill Gang

The Sugarhill Gang is in our Hip Hop Hall of Fame simply because they created the first rap song to reach the Top 40 on the charts. “Rapper’s Delight” landed at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January of 1980. Wonder Mike, Big Bank Hank, and Master Gee made up the Sugarhill Gang. Though all were from New Jersey, the group was named after a neighborhood in Harlem, New York called Sugar Hill. The gang was signed to Sugar Hill Records as well. “Rapper’s Delight” was the first Hip Hop song to go global. People in Canada and the United Kingdom were playing the song. It’s certainly one of the greatest and important songs of all time. The 1979 hit is inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

MC Lyte

MC Lyte undoubtedly makes our Hip Hop Hall of Fame. She’s the reason for the female emcees after her! Her debut album, Lyte as a Rock, made her the first female rapper to release a full length solo album. She was only 16 years old when she released her debut.

MC Lyte was one of the first rappers to talk about what’s going on in society. She rapped about violence, addiction, and the crack epidemic. The Broolyn rapper was way ahead of her time. MC Lyte even crossed over to acting, hosting, and doing voice overs. Many female rappers credit her for being a huge influence on them. Some say Lyte as a Rock is still one of the best Hip Hop albums ever!

Ice Cube

Though Ice Cube is already a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with N.W.A., there’s no doubt he should be enshrined as a solo artist as well. Without question, he is in our Hip Hop Hall of Fame. Cube was an integral part of the 80’s rap group, N.W.A., but then branched out on his own and saw more success.

The “No Vaseline” rapper is one of the leaders of conscious rap as he often discussed the current state of the Black community and America as well. Ice Cube’s debut solo album, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, shifted the message in Hip Hop going forward. Many still feel it’s one of the best albums of all time. He followed his debut with two more classic albums with Death Certificate and The Predator.

Cube’s graphic lyrics about racism, police brutality, and mistreatment of Black people set the tone for rappers to have the same speech as well. Besides having an amazing music career, Ice Cube was also one of the first rappers to cross over into Hollywood. He is easily one of the most talented guys around.