Legacy of Jay Rock
Artists and genres Jay Rock directly influenced — one hop forward on the family tree of music.
Nipsey HussleartistErmias Joseph Asghedom, known professionally as Nipsey Hussle, was an American rapper, activist and entrepreneur. Emerging from the West Coast hip-hop scene in the mid-2000s, Hussle self-released his debut mixtape, Slauson Boy Volume 1, to moderate local success, leading him to sign with Cinematic Music Group and Epic Records.
Lil Wayneartist
will.i.amartist
Tech N9neartistAaron Dontez Yates, better known by his stage name Tech N9ne, is an American rapper, songwriter, and singer. In 1999, he and business partner Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. He has sold over two million albums and his music has been featured in film, television, and interactive media. In 2009, he won the Left Field Woodie Award broadcast on mtvU.
E-40artist
Kutt CalhounartistMelvin Lewis Calhoun Jr., better known by his stage name Kutt Calhoun, is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. He began his career in the late 1990s as part of the city's underground rap scene, and signed with fellow Missouri-based rapper Tech N9ne's Strange Music as the label's first artist in 2004. Calhoun's debut studio album, B.L.E.V.E. (2004), and its follow-up, Feature Presentation (2008), were both met with critical praise; the latter debuted at number 60 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Calhoun's third album, Raw and Un-Kutt (2010), entered the Billboard 200 and peaked at number 19 on the Top Heatseekers chart.
Kendrick Lamarartist
StalleyartistKyle Alfonso Myricks, better known by his stage name Stalley, is an American rapper from Massillon, Ohio.
Futureartist
James BlakeartistJames Blake Litherland is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. Known for his emotive, soulful light head voice and use of falsetto, he first gained recognition following the release of three extended plays—The Bells Sketch, CMYK and Klavierwerke—in 2010. He signed with A&M Records to release his self-titled debut album (2011) the following year, which was met with critical praise and peaked within the top ten of the UK Albums Chart.
Ab-SoulartistHerbert Anthony Stevens IV, better known by his stage name Ab-Soul, is an American rapper. Raised in Carson, California, he signed with the indie record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2007, where he formed the West Coast hip-hop group Black Hippy alongside fellow California-based rappers Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q. His third album, These Days... (2014), peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 200. He is Black Hippy's sole member to remain an independent artist.