Amir Ali Said

MC Lyte is a rapper from Brooklyn, New York who started her career in the '80s.  In 1982, at 12 years old, she wrote her first rhyme.  In 1984, at 14 years old, she recorded it; however, "I Cram to Understand You (Sam)" wasn't released…

J. J. Barnes is a singer and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan.  In the early '60s, he released a number of singles on different labels.  There were two singles that put him on a solid path to success, "Just One More Time," released in…

Nolan Porter was a singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California who released a few albums and singles in the early '70s.  In 1970, he released his debut album, No Apologies.  The following year, he released two singles, "I Love What…

Fat Joe is a rapper from Bronx, NY who has enjoyed an extensive career since the early '90s.  He started his career as Fat Joe da Gangsta, and he was an original member of the rap group D.I.T.C.  In 1993, he released his debut album,…

Willie Henderson is a singer, songwriter, and producer from Pensacola, Florida.  As a child, he moved to Chicago with his family, and in his 20s, he started playing the baritone saxophone.  At the beginning of his career, he worked with…

M.O.P. (Mash Out Posse) is a legendary hip hop duo from Brownsville, Brooklyn.  Billy Danze and Lil Fame were two friends from Brownsville who represented not only in their music but in the streets where they came from.  In 1994, they…

Janko Nilović is a Montenegrin pianist, composer, and arranger who was born in Istanbul, Turkey.  Since 1960, he's lived in Paris, France.  During his early years in Paris, Nilović enjoyed a successful career as a performer in Jazz…

Ralfi Pagan was a latin soul and salsa singer from Bronx, New York.   He was beloved on the New York and Los Angeles latin soul circuit.   In 1969, Pagan released his debut album, Ralfi Pagan, on Fania Records.  The success of his album led…

Mobb Deep is one of the illest hip hop duos of all-time.  Hailing from Queensbridge, Queens, the duo included Prodigy and Havoc.  In 1993, they released their debut album, Juvenile Hell.  It was a solid debut, but it was their second album,…

Jo Armstead is a singer and songwriter from Yazoo City, Mississippi.  She began her career as a backing vocalist for Bobby "Blue" Bland.  After her stint as a backing vocalist, she became an Ikette. The Ikettes were a group of singers for…