- DJ Kool Herc: Herc is often considered the "father of hip-hop" due to his role in organizing the first hip-hop parties in the Bronx in the early 1970s. Herc's parties featured a new style of music that combined elements of funk, soul, and Jamaican dub music, and he is credited with pioneering the use of breakbeats, which became a fundamental element of hip-hop music.
- Grandmaster Flash: Grandmaster Flash was a DJ and musician who is considered one of the pioneers of hip-hop. He was a member of the influential hip-hop group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, and he is credited with developing several innovative DJ techniques, including scratching and beat juggling.
- The Sugarhill Gang: The Sugarhill Gang was the first hip-hop group to achieve mainstream success with their 1979 song "Rapper's Delight." The song helped to popularize hip-hop music beyond the Bronx and introduced it to a wider audience.
- Run-DMC: Run-DMC was a pioneering hip-hop group that emerged in the early 1980s. They were known for their hard-hitting beats, aggressive rapping style, and distinctive fashion sense. Run-DMC is credited with helping to bring hip-hop into the mainstream and making it a global phenomenon.
These are just a few of the many artists who have contributed to the development of rap music. The origins of rap are deeply rooted in the African-American and Latino communities, and it has evolved and diversified over the years to include a wide range of styles and subgenres.