the 2025 HONOREES
Kool G Rap
Kool G Rap (Nathaniel Thomas Wilson) is a legendary MC from Corona, Queens, New York, known for his complex multisyllabic rhymes, vivid street narratives, and influence on gangsta rap.
He emerged in the mid-1980s as part of the Juice Crew, a collective led by producer Marley Marl.
His collaborations with DJ Polo, particularly on albums like Road to the Riches (1989), Wanted: Dead or Alive (1990), and Live and Let Die (1992), set a new standard for hardcore lyricism.
G Rap’s storytelling, filled with crime-laced imagery and cinematic detail, heavily influenced artists like Nas, Big Pun, Jay-Z, and The Notorious B.I.G. He is often regarded an one of the greatest MCs of All-Time.
GRaND Puba
Grand Puba (Maxwell Dixon) is the legendary MC from New Rochelle, New York, known for his charismatic flow, smooth delivery, and conscious yet playful lyricism. He first gained recognition in the late 1980s as a member of the group Masters of Ceremony before becoming the frontman of Brand Nubian, a pioneering group steeped in Afrocentric and Five-Percenter-influenced Hip-Hop.
Brand Nubian’s 1990 debut album, One for All, was highly acclaimed for its socially conscious themes and jazzy production. Puba pursued a solo career, releasing Reel to Reel in 1992, which featured the hit “360° (What Goes Around)”.
His style blended humor, braggadocio, and knowledge, making him a respected figure in both underground and mainstream circles.
Kool Rock Ski
Kool Rock Ski (Damon Wimbley) is a member of the pioneering Hip-Hop group The Fat Boys, alongside Prince Markie Dee and Buff Love (aka The Human Beatbox). The group, originally known as the Disco 3, gained fame in the 1980s for their fun, party-oriented raps and comedic style, which helped bring Hip-Hop to a wider audience.
The Fat Boys were among the first to popularize beatboxing, with Buff Love showcasing his skills on hits like “Jail House Rap,” “Can You Feel It,” and “Stick ‘Em.” They also starred in films such as Krush Groove (1985) and Disorderlies (1987), further cementing their place in pop culture.
Unlike many rappers of his era, Kool Rock Ski remained active in the culture but stayed relatively low-key after the group’s peak. In later years, he lost a significant amount of weight and has spoken about health awareness. A true Hip-Hop original.
The QuiNcy Jones Award
George Clinton
George Clinton is the mastermind behind Parliament-Funkadelic (P-Funk) and one of the most influential figures in funk music history. Clinton started in doo-wop before revolutionizing Black music in the 1970s with his psychedelic, bass-heavy, and heavily conceptual brand of funk.
With Parliament and Funkadelic, he created a universe of outlandish characters, spacey themes, and infectious grooves, blending funk, rock, and soul into a unique sound. That sound became foundational in funk and later Hip-Hop, with his music being widely sampled by artists like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and OutKast.
Known for his wild costumes, deep musical innovation, and legendary stage performances, Clinton remains a major cultural force, helping to shape funk’s evolution into Hip-Hop and beyond.