Lil Flip is a rapper from Cloverland, Houston. Anointed the “Freestyle King by none other than DJ Screw himself, Flip is best known for hits like “Game Over and “Sunshine, as well as his unbelievable seven-minute verse on the “Wanna Be A Baller Freestyle from Chapter 070: Endonesia.

DJ DMD is a DJ, producer, record label owner, and rapper from Port Arthur, Texas. He’s best-known for his his “25 Lighters (later remixed as “25 Bibles), as well as for his production work on early records from UGK.

Billy Cook is twenty-five years into a career as Houston’s hook man extraordinaire, racking up credits from Z-Ro to Chamillionaire while building a strong catalog of solo work. His forthcoming album, Billy Cook: So Iconic, will be his tenth. .

Born in Bogalusa, Louisiana as Cedric Hill, E.S.G. has released a steady steam of music ever since moving to Houston in 1994. He’s best known for the all-time classic “Swangin’ and Bangin’ and as a member of Screwed Up Clik.

OG Ron C is a DJ and businessman from Northside Houston. He’s best known as the co-founder of Swishahouse Records, his Fuck Action series of chopped and screwed mixtapes, and for his work with the ChopStars DJ collective, of which he is a founder.

A native of New Orleans, Big Mike’s rap career took flight after he moved to live with his grandparents in Houston’s South Park neighborhood. He’s best known for a long solo career including 1994’s Somethin’ Serious and 1997’s Still Serious, as well as his time as a member of Convicts (with Mr. 3-2) and the Geto Boys (as a stand-in during Willie D’s departure from the group).

Digable Planets is a rap trio from New York, comprised of Ishmael Butler (also known as Butterfly, also known as Palaceer Lazaro of Shabazz Palaces), Mariana Vieira (also known as Ladybug Mecca), and Craig Irving (also known as Doodlebug). They’re best known for their two classic albums, 1993’s Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) and 1994’s Blowout Comb.

UNIIQU3 is a DJ/singer/dancer/producer/remixer/set designer/stylist from Newark, New Jersey. Her latest release, a collaboration with TT The Artist titled Club Queens Vol I, is out now on Club Queen Records.

Andrew Nosnitsky, also known as noz, is an Oakland-based record store owner. Previously, he spent years writing, interviewing, and blogging about rap for nearly every outlet that you can think of, plus several more. Here is my personal favorite of his essays from that era.

M. Geddes Gengras laughs a lot, and not just any laugh. He has nearly the exact mannerisms of my (and maybe your) friend Azeem.