Mos Def
Brooklyn MC and actor born Yasiin Bey whose debut Black on Both Sides is a cornerstone of alternative hip-hop — a lyricist who elevated the intellectual and ethical standard of the genre.
The Cultural Record
Discography
No entries on record.
Awards & Recognition
5 Grammy nominations
View All 5 Grammy Wins →—
founding member of Black Star with Talib Kweli
Rank History
Ranking history will be available once voting opens for Mos Def.
Often Compared To
Nas
#2Hip-Hop / Rap — Queensbridge, New York · 1992–
Queensbridge poet who dropped Illmatic at 20 — one of the most perfect debut albums in any genre — and has continued releasing critically acclaimed work for 30+ years.
Nicki Minaj
#3Hip-Hop / Rap — Port of Spain, Trinidad / Queens, New York · 2004–present
Trinidad-born Queens rapper who became the best-selling female rapper of all time, shattering record after record while establishing that women could compete at any level in hip-hop.