J.Cole is a rapper whose music and how he carries himself in the public has resonated and impacted me mightily. Musically, Cole has found a way to balance the old school rap authenticity that appealed to older Hip hop fans, with the new school vibe of heavy, world building stories. J.Cole also produces most of his own music. He has a jazzy boom-bap style with beats similar to Kendrick Lamar, Nas, and Kanye West. His subject matter and his willingness to put himself and his trauma out there for a bigger one really drew me to his music and story. Coming from a family where financial struggles where prominent I can really identify with Cole and his stories.
Chancelor Johnathan “Chance The Rapper” Bennett is a rapper, singer, producer and social activist from Chicago, Illinois. He is best known for his Grammy-winning mixtape 'Coloring Book' which made history as the first album to win a Grammy based solely on streaming. Chance is a pioneer in the music industry and is known for his innovative approach to music, blending hip-hop, soul, gospel and the music of The Social Experiment. He is also an active philanthropist who has donated to a variety of causes, most recently donating $1 million to Chicago public schools. Chance is a role model to many and is praised for his unique flow and voice, making him one of the most talented rappers of his generation.
KENDRICK LAMAR
Kendrick Lamar, also known as K. Dot and Kung Fu Kenny, is an award-winning American rapper and lyricist. He was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California, and grew up immersed in hip-hop culture and surrounded by gang activity. Lamar is known for his innovative take on life in Southern California and his thought-provoking lyrics. He is a prodigiously gifted lyricist and performer who consistently makes bold aesthetic choices, deploying lacerating wordplay, nearly superhuman vocal dexterity, and cleverly constructed metaphors to illustrate his stories. His music is influenced by Tupac Shakur, Nas, Jay-Z, and other hip-hop artists. He is a Grammy-winning artist who has achieved both critical and commercial success, and has been lauded for his socially conscious and politically