James Mayo

Rock the Bells 2009 Red Rocks Amphitheatre Thursday, August 6, 2009 Better than: ringtone rap, anything associated with Auto-Tune or listening to the self-proclaimed newly anointed "King of Pop," Kanye West, talk about himself endlessly. Since 2003, Rock the Bells has been the premier hip-hop festival to showcase rap music...

Much has been written about the Game's dysfunctional past. He grew up in a Santana Blocc Crip neighborhood in Compton, and his mother was affiliated with the Crips. After his sister accused his father of sexually molesting her, the family was split up, and Game spent time in foster homes...

At 29, the Game (aka Jayceon Terrell Taylor) is a battle-scarred vet. After getting shot five times in 2001, he recuperated by studying the styles of rap's finest and coming up with a West Coast meets East Coast flow that attracted the attention of Dr. Dre, who produced his 2005...

At 29, the Game (aka Jayceon Terrell Taylor) is a battle-scarred vet. After getting shot five times in 2001, he recuperated by studying the styles of rap's finest and coming up with a West Coast meets East Coast flow that attracted the attention of Dr. Dre, who produced his 2005...

Rakim is among the most universally revered MCs. Growing up in Long Island, the self-described microphone fiend teamed up with Eric Barrier to form Eric B & Rakim, one of the most formidable duos in hip-hop history. In 1987, the group dropped the timeless Paid in Full, and Rakim's flow...