BX Bred: The Bronx's Hip Hop Heavyweights
Stars who rep the birthplace of hip hop.
1 / 13
BX Bred: The Bronx's Hip Hop Heavyweights - Friday (Feb. 7) marks 14 years since Big Pun, at the young age of 28, died from a heart attack. An immense talent who had only put out one album, Pun was gone far too soon, but still managed to leave a lasting legacy of songs, verses and influence. It's safe to say that he did his native Bronx proud. In his honor, here are some other heavyweights from hip hop's birthplace. (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
2 / 13
Fat Joe - From his early days as a member of D.I.T.C. to bringing Pun and the Terror Squad to the masses to his own success in the early 2000s with hits like "What's Luv" and "We Thuggin," Fat Joe has enjoyed a longevity in the game that rarely gets the credit it deserves. He dropped Darkside Vol. 3 in 2013 and shows no signs of slowing down. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
3 / 13
Melle Mel - As the lead performer on Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's 1982 release "The Message," Melle Mel will forever live in hip hop history. The song, widely recognized as one of the greatest rap songs of all-time for its pioneering social messages, is just one in a lengthy list of releases from this Boogie Down native. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
4 / 13
Grandmaster Flash - The namesake of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Flash was an early hip hop groundbreaker with his DJing techniques, and is considered one of the music's earliest leaders. He and the group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. (Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
5 / 13
Grandmaster Caz - A leading member of The Cold Crush Brothers, Grandmaster Caz was an integral part of hip hop's first generation. In 2008, he was elected to the Bronx Walk of Fame. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)
ADVERTISEMENT
6 / 13
KRS-One - Recognized both for his work with Boogie Down Productions as well as his solo efforts, KRS-One has justifiably earned the nickname The Teacha. In addition to his slew of albums and general outspokenness, KRS is also known for repping hard for the Bronx in a beef with Marley Marl and MC Shan in the late 1980s.(Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
7 / 13
Afrika Bambaataa - One of the true innovators of both hip hop culture and DJing, Afrika Bambaataa deserves credit for much of what came after him and also founded the Universal Zulu Nation. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)
8 / 13
Swizz Beatz - Beginning his career as a producer for the Ruff Ryders, Swizz Beatz has solidifed himself among rap's top tier hit-makers, who's also stepped in front of the mic and contributed creatively to a number of major brands.(Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images For BET)
Photo By Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images For BET
9 / 13
DJ Kool Herc - DJ Kool Herc is understood to be the father of hip hop. That's quite a title, but it's one that's well-deserved, as the Jamaican-born, Bronx-raised legend created break beats, which would serve as a launching pad for the music and culture. (Photo: WENN.com)
10 / 13
French Montana - Though he was born in Morocco, French Montana was raised during much of his adolecence in the Bronx. After making waves with his Cocaine City DVDs in the early 2000s, French released a ton of mixtapes before earning the backing of the streets and, eventually, both Bad Boy and Maybach Music Group. (Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for BET)
ADVERTISEMENT