**The 20 Greatest Hip-Hop Crews**

THE K-MAN

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nice list I found from encyclopedia Hip Hop

20. The Commission


I’m giving the Commission some shine here though they never actually formed
The brain child of The Notorious BIG and shoutoted out in the beginning of “What’s Beef” on his ‘Life After Death’ album the members were to include
BIG aka Frank White
Jay-Z aka Iceberg slim
Charli Baltimore
Lil Cease aka Casear Leo de Janeiro
Lance Rivera aka Uncle Paulie
…and Puff Daddy using the name P Diddy
We can only imagine how nice the songs and subsequent album could’ve been

19. Flavor Unit


The Flavor Unit was a true crew doing more than just rhyme they had a ton of DJs and it turned into a management company
Started by DJ Mark the 45 King (shoutouts to the 900 number) the crew evolved way beyond its members, the reason it’s so low is because the actual members of the crew’s music wasn’t as strong as others
The original members were:
DJ Mark the 45 King
Lakim Shabazz
Queen Latifah
Apache
Chill Rob G
Lord Alibaski
Latee
Shoutouts to The Rotten Rascals, The Almighty R.S.O (Benzino’s original crew), and Zhane

18. The Hilltop Hustlers


Led and created by emcee Steady B, the Philly based crew made a lot of noise in the mid/late 80s they never made an album together but the group Steady formed CEB were able to make “Countin Endless Bank” in ’92
Other things of note: Steady B and Cool C of The Hilltop are currently serving life sentences with no parole and the latter on death row, EST (of Three Times Dope) went on to write “Baby Boy”, “Cater to you”, and “Dangerously in love” among others for Beyonce
Members: Steady B, Cool C, Three Times Dope, Da Youngstas, and Menatlly Gifted


17. State Property


Philly continued to represent on into the 90s with State Property, led by Beanie Sigel he brought us two albums, a clothing line and two movies after linking up with Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella records
Members: Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Oschino and Sparks, The Young Gunz, and Peedi Crackk

16. Flip Mode Squad


The Flip Mode Squad had some promise, headed and created by Busta Rhymes it was used as a vehicle to showcase and introduce new talent under his umbrella most notably Rah Digga who at the time was one of the top female hip hop artists out
Rampage and Spliff star were also introduced as well as Lord Have Mercy, Lord Have had one of the more original/interesting styles of rhyme but was never really showcased or given shine on albums
the majority of the original members has since left and been replaced with a bunch of no names and unnoticeables
The original members were featured in the 1998 album “The Imperial”
Members: Busta Rhymes, Spliff Star, Rah Digga, Rampage, Lord Have Mercey, Baby Sham,


15. The Diplomats


Anchored by Cam’Ron the Dipset first got their shine on his 2000 release: Sports, Drugs, and Entertainment and even more so on Come home with me due mainly to the singles “Oh Boy” and “Hey Ma”
They were signed to Roc-a-fella records and later created their own imprint … also the crew has released multiple mixtapes and singles under the Dipset name “Diplomatic Immunity”
Members: Cam’ron, Jim Jones, Freekey Zekey, Juelz Santana

14. Terror Squad


The Terror Squad came out in 1998 introduced by Bronx rapper Fat Joe on his album “Don Cartagena (his best album)
They didn’t make classic songs together, they did release an album “The Album” in 1999 what made the collective strong was the late great Big Pun, one of the illest lyricists to ever do it
After Pun’s passing Remy Ma and Tony Sunshine joined the group but the crew’s banner was really being flown and upheld by Pun after he left The Squad was done (Even with the lean Back song)
Original Members: Fat Joe, Big Pun, Armageddon, Triple Seis, and Prospect

13. G Unit


The G Unit are here because they ran things in rap for a year and a half, fueled by the sudden super-stardom of 50 Cent and his debut “Get Rich or Dye Tryin” G Unit was everywhere, the mix tapes they dropped were like crack on the streets they had their own mix tape DJ
Really no 50 no G Unit but for that small time they had the radios on lock, clothing lines, etc. I was personally never a fan but … props
Members: 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck

12. Dungeon Family


The Dungeon Family is more of a collective instead of an actual crew, they have songwriters, producers, and rappers. They get props because of Outkast and Goodie Mob
I believe other acts such as Mista, Cool Breeze, Sleepy Brown, as well as Joi and Slimm Calhoun are also members they made one album together “Even in Darkness” in 2001
Members: Outkast, Cee Lo, Sleepy Brown, Goodie Mob, Backbone, Big Rube, F

11. Cash Money Millionaires


Because of the single success of Juvenile and his “ha” song and the album 400 Degreez we were given The Cash Money Millionaires, regardless of your opinion of their music or influence on the genre you have to admit that they had an impact
They had their own established artists and then extended to Cash Money records and signed acts from all over looking to resurrect their careers
The Hot Boys and the Big Tymers together took over southern rap where No Limit left off
Album (And Movie): Baller Blockin’
Members: Juvenile, Lil Wayne, Mannie Fresh, B.G., The Birdman, Young Turk
 

THE K-MAN

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10. Murder Inc.


Later called “The INC” The crew, group, label founded by Irv and Chris Gotti along with Ja Rule blended Hip Hop and R&B more so than any other group (For better or worse) changed a lot of hip hop for a few years
Ja Rule, Vita, Charli Baltimore, and Ashanti … later Bobby Brown; Lil Mo was also associated with the crew
In 2000 they released “Irv Gotti Presents: The Murderers” which also featured Black Child, Tah Murdah, and others
Currently the crew and label are not making any music but rumors are that they will be back (with probably a different roster)

9. No Limit


Created by Master P, the label and crew (Originally started on the West Coast) Took the South by storm in 1994 – 1995 really ushering in the new wave of Southern Hip Hop from where Rap A Lot and The Geto Boys left off
No Limit was known for its flashy album covers, distinct sound, and enormous roster which eventually included Snoop Dogg
Also inspired 2 Hood Classic films (Straight to DVD of course) … No Limit even briefly had a stint as a Wrestling Tag Team in WCW
Albums: I’m bout it (Soundtrack), I Got The Hook Up, Mean Green, We Can’t Be Stopped
Members: Silkk The Shocker, C- Murder, Master P, Mia X, Mystikal, Kane & Able, Mr. Serv-On, Big Ed, King George, Cali G, and Tre-8


8. Boot Camp Clik


The Underground Crew from Brooklyn (Brownsville) started with Buckshot and Black Moon who made their debut in ’92 who then put on Smif N Wessun on their first album which featured “Cession at da Doghillee” and then helped put Heltah Skeltah on which then created The Fab 5 with OGC
The Entire Crew released Four complete albums … all to mixed reviews but each featured some strong tracks and production, definitely one of the more original and unique crews in Hip Hop History
Albums: For the People (’97), The Chosen Few (’02), The Last Stand (’06), Casualties of War (’07)
Members: Buckshot, Steele, Tek, Rock, Ruck, Louieville Sluggah, Starang Wondah, Top Dog

7. Ruff Ryders


The Ruff Ryders which started out as a management became a crew and a label in the late 90s after DMX dropped and blew up with his debut “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot”
Known for the Swizz Beatz production and Motorcycles almost more than the emceeing The Ruff Ryder crew held Hip Hop down for the tail end of the 90s
Albums: Ryde or Die Vols 1 – 3, The Redemption
Members: DMX, Jadakiss, Styles P, Sheek Louch, Eve, Drag-On, Swizz Beatz (Even 106 & Park Winner Jin eventually joined up)


6. The Firm


The Firm as a crew was more of a Supergroup formed by Nas during the mid-90s During the Years of Raekwon’s OB4CL and Mobb Deep’s Survival of the Fittest when the Mafioso lyrics and the Aliases
were prevalent in Hip Hop Nas recorded “Affirmative Action” on his “It was Written” album and officially debut the Firm Crew to the world, one of the most anticipated albums and hottest cliques in Hip Hop at the time
Sadly only released one underrated group album
Album: The Album
Members: Nas, AZ, Foxy Brown, Nature, Cormega


5. Wu Tang Clan


Not much needs to be said about Staten Island’s *and Brooklyn’s* finest (Shaolin) clearly one of the most influential crews in Hip Hop History
Not only did they enter Hip Hop with a classic as a crew in an unprecedented move each member signed individual solo contracts with different labels
Wu Tang was a movement and spawned tons of classic slang, albums, video games, and fashion
Albums: Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers), Wu Tang Forever, The W, Iron Flag, 8 Diagrams
Members: The RZA, The GZA, Ol Dirty b*stard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon The Chef, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Masta Killa, Method Man, Cappadonna

4. BDP



Boogie Down Productions … will always get paid, we’ll take the wackest songs … and make them better …
The Bronx Crew created by KRS One and DJ Scott La Rock were responsible for a ton of battle records as well as a ton of Hip Hop Anthems
The Bronx vs. Queens via KRS doing battle with an early form of the Juice Crew lit Hip Hop’s fuse as it blended the streets with incredible rhymes
Also introduced the world to D-Nice who provided the Beatbox at the time; The Blastmaster also responsible for infusing reggae into Hip Hop at a very early time
Albums: Criminal Minded, By All Means Necessary, Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop, Edutainment, Sex and Violence
Members: KRS – One, DJ Scott La Rock, D Nice, Kenny Parker

3. Hit Squad


The Hit Squad created by Erick and Parrish of EPMD, on the Unfinished Business album featured K-Solo, The Song “Hit Squad Heist” on the following album alerted people that they were coming and then on Business Never Personal in 1992 they made the song “Head Banger”
This featured the majority of the Hit Squad … on subsequent albums and singles by EPMD and Erick Sermon we were introduced to the remaining members
Even with the split and the formation of the Def Squad the Hit Squad is still one of the dopest crews hip hop music has seen
Albums: (None) – El Nino (Def Squad)
Members: EPMD, K-Solo, Redman, Das EFX, Keith Murray, DJ Scratch

2. Native Tongues


The Tongues, was a movement … when Hip Hop was moving uniformly in one direction these like-minded individuals came together and went the total opposite direction
Created by the De La Soul and The Jungle Brothers they progressively added on and created one of the most eclectic groups Hip Hop has ever seen
Songs like Buddy and Scenario, A Roller Skating Jam and The Promos 1 and 2 … and more; they never made a complete album together but their place in Hip Hop is etched in stone
Albums: (None)
Members: Trugoy, Maseo, Posdnous, Mike Gee, Baby Bam, Sammy B, Phife, Ali Shaeed, Muhammad, Jarobi, Q-Tip, Monie Love, Queen Latifah, Chi Ali, Dres, Mista Lawnge


1. Juice Crew




THE CREW … Number 1 It HAD To Be The Juice Crew!
The Juice Crew is Hip Hop … featuring 2 of the top 5 greatest lyricists in Hip Hop History, Marley Marl production, The most feared female emcee of the 80s, The man that put Queens on the map (and indirectly started the Bridge wars with BDP), One of the most respected Beatbox artists ever, and more
The Juice Crew had Hip Hop as a whole on lock in the mid-80s between Shan vs. LL, Shan vs. KRS, the Roxanne Wars, and The Symphony; not more needs to be said.
Albums: In Control Vol 1, In Control Vol 2
Members: Marley Marl, Roxanne Shante, MC Shan, Mr. Magic, Big Daddy Kane, Craig G, Tragedy, Biz Markie, TJ Swann, Glamorous, Masta Ace, Grand Daddy IU, DJ Polo
Okay, so that’s the list!

What do you think?
Who was missed?
Who went too high or too low?
 

Trey0'5Blue2Gz

I'm The Cook that killed Gus Fring
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G-Unit @ 13???????? nikka wtf are they smoking talking about a year and a half???
 
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