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Toby Mac, one third of the influential DC Talk and the last band member to branch out, has proven to be a solid -- and diverse -- solo force. His music ranges from melodic beats with Latin flair ("Irene"), to hardcore house/hip-hop ("Get this Party Started"), to hilariously brilliant skits ("Triple Skinny," "Tru Dog"). Mac knows engineering like Yo-Yo Ma knows the cello, and his immaculately studio-refined music reflects that passion for production. In just the blink of an album, this mastermind behind DC Talk has established himself as a unique independent performer and producer. - Amy…

One of Southern rap's most enduring and talented emcees, New Orleans' Lil' Wayne began rapping at the tender age of 11. By the time he was 15, he'd linked up with Juvenile, Turk and B.G. and formed the immensely popular Hot Boys group on Cash Money Records. Though the emcees showed promise, many listeners focused on the post-Bounce production of Mannie Fresh, and regarded Wayne as a fresh-faced vehicle for the producer. But Wayne went solo in 1999 with Tha Block is Hot. His raps focus on youthful rebellion, New Orleans style -- crack, girls and turf supremacy are paramount. He would go on to…

Flo Rida (born Tramar Dillard) is the quintessential singles artist. Tracks such as "Low," "Elevator" and "Right Round" have been ubiquitous in the clubs and on the radio and have topped digital sales. Still, his debut album, 2007's Mail on Sunday, was by most measures a commercial flop. Listeners see him as essentially utilitarian. They expect him to deliver the bigger-than-God club bangers, and they'll gladly fork over for a dollar for the single, but most don't want to make any long-term commitments. It's as if Flo Rida is the hip-hop equivalent of a one-night stand. For 2009's R.O.O.T.S.,…

Eminem crashed the mainstream in the late '90s. With super-producer Dr. Dre behind the boards, the Detroit emcee quickly became a cultural touchstone. Combining cartoonish rage, ear-tickling beats, a distinct flow and gushing rhyme skills, he drew the praise of critics and the scorn of rap-hating political interests. His second album was darker, loaded with moody singles "Stan" and "The Way I Am." Eminem's private life soon mirrored his bad-boy image, and he found himself getting divorced, sued by his mom and arrested for weapons violations. After teaming up with Elton John at the 2001 Grammy…

Amongst the most commercially successful female groups in the music industry, Destiny's Child has been cranking out multi-platinum crossover R&B for many years. Founded in Houston, Texas in 1990, they were originally put together by Mathew Knowles (Beyonce's dad) when the members were still in their preteens. They paid dues performing on Star Search (rapping, not singing) in the early nineties and eventually went on the road, touring as an opening act for Dru Hill and SWV among others. Their first official release came about in 1997, with the song "Killing Time" off the soundtrack for Will…