Lyricist Lounge 30th Anniversary Celebration

KRS-One (“Knowledge Reigns Supreme”) is a rapper, lyricist, and activist born and bred in New York City. He first gained recognition as a member of the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions, which he founded with the late DJ Scott La Rock in the mid-80’s. Following the sudden loss of La Rock, KRS-One started the Stop the Violence Movement. Dubbed by the Rolling Stone as the “conscience of Hip Hop,” and with over 20 album credits to his name, KRS-One has built a career by staying loyal to the original tenets of Hip Hop: peace, love, unity and safely having fun. His most recent album, IMAMCRU 1 2, came out this past February.

Kid Capri, a Bronx native, is a Grammy-winning DJ and producer. He has collaborated with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Salt-N-Peppa, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, and Aaliyah, on several albums, tracks and live shows, and appeared on major networks and series such as BET, VH1, and Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam. Kid Capri was inducted into the Bronx Hall of Fame in 2021, and recently released his first album in over 20 years titled The Love.

Talib Kweli, a Brooklyn native, came on to the scene with fellow Brooklynite Mos Def in 1997, when they formed the group Black Star. Kweli has since released acclaimed solo work and collaborated with legends like Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Just Blaze, J Dilla, and Madlib. In 2011, Kweli founded Javotti Media, an independent, multi-media company, and also hosts two podcasts. Kweli has centered activism throughout his career, appearing as a guest on platforms like The Tonight Show to speak on issues of injustice and police brutality. His most recent album, Gotham, was released last year.

Grand Puba is an American rapper from New Rochelle, New York. He initially rose to prominence as a member of Masters of Ceremony, whose 1988 album Dynamite was met with critical acclaim. He is best known, however, as the lead emcee of the group Brand Nubian. Grand Puba has collaborated with a number of artists over the years, including Missy Elliot, Beanie Sigal, and Ugly Duckling. His last solo album, Black from the Future, was released in 2016.

Rah Digga, originally from New Jersey, participated as an MC in several hip-hop groups in her early days until she was spotted at a Lyricist Lounge showcase, which led to her inclusion in the Flipmode Squad, a hip-hop group led by Busta Rhymes. She has collaborated on tracks with artists such as Eve, The Fugees, and Bahamadia on the 1998 album Lyricist Lounge, Vol. 1. In 2003 and 2009, she was featured in the documentary films Queens of Hip Hop and Say My Name alongside Erykah Badu, Remy Ma, and MC Lyte, among others.

CL Smooth, a native New Yorker, is a rapper, emcee, actor, and activist. He is best known as the vocal half of Hip Hop duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth, who debuted in 1991 with their album All Souled Out. Since then, CL Smooth has released two solo albums and collaborated on countless tracks with other industry heavyweights such as Run-DMC, John Legend, and The Roots. He most recently released a single in 2019 entitled “Just in Town.” Additionally, Smooth has leveraged his platform for activism, encouraging voter mobilization and being a voice on fighting climate change.

Bahamadia is a Philadelphia native whose critically acclaimed debut album Kollage was the first LP written and co-produced entirely by a female hip-hop artist and earned her a nomination for the 1996 Soul Train Lady Of Soul award for Best New R&B/Rap Artist. Her late 90s radio show “Bahamadia’s B-Sides” showcased underground and underrecognized talent to listeners, and she has collaborated with artists such as Lauryn Hill, The Roots, Talib Kweli and more.

Buckshot was born and raised in Brooklyn and began rapping in neighborhood ciphers at an early age. Buckshot led hip-hop groups Black Moon and Boot Camp Clik and founded the Duck Down Music record label. He has worked with artists such as Tupac, Aaliyah, KRS-One, 9th Wonder, and Mobb Deep, among others.

Mr. Cheeks is best known for his block party anthems as a rapper of the Queens-based group Lost Boyz. Establishing a solo career in early 2000s, his debut solo album John P. Kelly featured his hit single “Lights, Camera, Action!”. He has worked with artists such as Stephen Marley, Mario Winans, and Lil’ Kim.