Schoolly D

Credited by none other than original gangster Ice-T as "the forefather of gangsta rap," Schoolly D is a hip-hop pioneer also for having produced, released, and distributed his early recordings, such as "P.S.K. 'What Does It Mean?'" (1985). The West Philadelphia native's confrontational nature and willingness to shock -- using terms and themes that became common in hip-hop years after he made a name for himself -- might be most frequently associated with his mid-'80s breakthrough, but he has cultivated a formidable discography crossing four decades, far beyond foundational LPs such as Schoolly-D (1985), Saturday Night! The Album (1986), and Smoke Some Kill (1988). In addition to the enduring relevance of his early work through samples and lyrical references by younger generations of producers and MCs, Schoolly D is known for having performed the original theme for the animated television series Aqua Teen Hunger Force.