The 50 Most Influential DJs

See where Jam Master Jay ranks.

The 50 Most Influential DJs - 10 years ago today, October 30, Jam Master Jay was murdered in cold blood. The legendary DJ, one third of Run DMC, is missed, but his impact on hip hop hasn't faded one bit. Jam Master Jay helped bring DJing to radios, stereos and TVs across the globe. And DJs are still a cornerstone of the culture, preserving real hip hop on the air, onstage, in the clubs and elsewhere. In honor of Jam Master Jay and his indelible contributions to the art, craft and science of the turntable, BET.com is counting down the 50 most influential DJs of all time. We only considered folks who were DJs in the true, traditionalist, hip hop sense of the word — rocking parties, mixing wax, breaking hit records, scratching samples, curating the culture — not mere on-air personalities or producers with DJ in their name. Without these turntable all-stars, we can't imagine what DJin...
50. DJ Babu - Cali icon DJ Babu is widely credited with inventing the term "turntablist." He was a leading figure in the West Coast's late-'90s DJ resurgence, known for his masterful beat juggling, before he joined up with indie-rap favorites Dilated Peoples.   (Photo: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
49. A-Trak - A-Trak first made his name as a turntablism wunderkind, winning the DMC DJ World Championship at just 15 years old in 1997. Later, Kanye West tapped Trak to be his personal DJ, rocking the tables on his Late Registration and Graduation albums. Then in 2008, after becoming a force on the growing dance-music circuit, he founded Fool's Gold Records, the influential taste-making indie that broke acts like Kid Cudi, Danny Brown and Kid Sister.   (Photo: Karl Walter/Getty Images)48. DJ Kay-Slay - Originally a legendary graffiti artist, the "Drama King" gained fame on a higher level when he transitioned to the turntables. His hard-edged Streetsweepers mixtape series and long-running Hot 97 show quickly established him as one of hip hop's most powerful rabble rousers.  (Photo: djkayslay.org)

Next Gallery

Where Are They Now: The Cast of In Living Color

13 Photos

1 / 49

The 50 Most Influential DJs - 10 years ago today, October 30, Jam Master Jay was murdered in cold blood. The legendary DJ, one third of Run DMC, is missed, but his impact on hip hop hasn't faded one bit. Jam Master Jay helped bring DJing to radios, stereos and TVs across the globe. And DJs are still a cornerstone of the culture, preserving real hip hop on the air, onstage, in the clubs and elsewhere. In honor of Jam Master Jay and his indelible contributions to the art, craft and science of the turntable, BET.com is counting down the 50 most influential DJs of all time. We only considered folks who were DJs in the true, traditionalist, hip hop sense of the word — rocking parties, mixing wax, breaking hit records, scratching samples, curating the culture — not mere on-air personalities or producers with DJ in their name. Without these turntable all-stars, we can't imagine what DJin...

ADVERTISEMENT