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If you run into someone with whom you used to vibe out to hip-hop back in 2003, and they proceed to go on about how they predicted the rise of Kanye West, well, chances are they’re spitting lies. Because before he dropped his 2004 debut album, The College Dropout, sure, West was a highly-promising producer signed to Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records, but few could ever have predicted the jaw-dropping critical and commercial success he’d soon deliver. Over the past decade, West has continually reminded us of his creative genius, lest we should forget. From his initial trio of education-focused albums to the triumph that was My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy — not to mention last year’s team-up with Jay-Z on Watch The Throne — Kanye continually brings the heat. Now this past week he’s delivered again. And this time he’s brought along his G.O.O.D. Music roster for the label’s first group album, Cruel Summer. While not technically a Kanye album, it’s hard for him not to overshadow anyone or anything to which he’s associated. So it’s only right this week that we give the iconic Chi-town emcee the Flashback Friday treatment.

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Rappers come and go. But the special ones leave a legacy, the sort that even several years out of the spotlight can’t tarnish. DMX has spent the past three years in and out of prison, and up until this past week hadn’t released a full-length album since 2006’s Year of the Dog… Again. But now, with Undisputed, the hard-hitting rapper’s latest release, the hip-hop world is quickly getting reacquainted with one of its most prolific talents. To help remind you of the glory that is DMX we’re revisiting the emcee’s most memorable moments for this edition of Flashback Friday.

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Can one be considered a music-industry veteran at the ripe age of 22? In the case of Taylor Swift, the answer is a definitive yes. A budding Nashville talent by 14, and having released her eponymous debut album two years later, Swift has since evolved into one of music’s most celebrated talents the world over. As she prepares to release Red, her fourth album, next month, we decided to take a look back at some of the young superstar’s most defining moments — from her Grammy wins to her unshakeable choruses. This Flashback Friday we’re celebrating Taylor Swift.
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And be sure and check out our exclusive Taylor Swift Flashback Friday playlist right HERE.

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Sure, in 2012 the music world may be stocked with pop stars. But how many of them write their own material? The answer — very few — points at a necessary evil of the pop game: songwriters do most of the dirty work. Which makes the success of an artist like Ne-Yo, who first found success as a songwriter, eventually caught the ear of Jay-Z, was subsequently signed to Def Jam, and then dropped a chart-topping debut album, all the more satisfying. It’s a music-industry feel-good story; and trust us, these are few and far between. Now, as Ne-Yo (born Shaffer Smith) stands on the cusp of releasing his fifth studio album, R.E.D., the time was right to give the man his due with the Flashback Friday treatment.

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It’s a tried and true tenant of artistry: put multiple talents together and egos will surely clash. Yet, when the right combination of personality and skills gel, the results are oftentimes monumental. In the case of the hip-hop game, groups have come and gone. But only the best have proved influential. Undoubtedly, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are of the latter category. The hip-hop group, formed in Cleveland, Ohio, has gone through a bevy of lineup changes over the years, with breakups and reunions along the way. But the original five-man crew is now back together this summer for the annual Rock The Bells Festival and are reportedly set to work on new music. To that end, its only right that we pay homage to the genius that is Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and dedicate this edition of Flashback Friday to the fire-spitting posse. And be sure and check our Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Flashback Friday playlist.

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