5 Rappers With Interesting Claims to Fame [Photo Gallery]
The trainwreck that is Kreayshawn's debut album made history last week when it pulled in a measly 3,900 sales in its first week, reportedly making it the worst debut by an artist on a major label. The pint-sized Bay Area emcee is signed to Columbia. That got us thinking about other record breaking moments by rappers. Enjoy this eclectic list of firsts and record breakers. Any surprises?
more
Young MC
First rapper to win Grammy on Television
DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince were the first to win a Grammy in the then-brand new Best Rap Performance category in 1989, but that award presentation was not televised, a fact that caused DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and other hip hop royalty to boycott the show. So it was Young MC in 1990 who received the first televised rap Grammy win for “Bust a Move.â€
more
Lil Wayne
The Alien vs The King
Elvis has numerous unbroken records related to music sales and popularity, but Lil Wayne, aka Weezy F. Baby, has just broken one. Lil Wayne’s collaboration with the Game, “Celebration,†gave him his 109th song on the Billboard Hot 100s chart, surpassing Elvis’ 108.
more
Nicki Minaj
Head Barbie In Charge of the Billboards
Nicki Minaj is the first female rapper to have seven songs on Billboard’s Top 10 Singles chart. Not Lauryn Hill (who admittedly only has one solo studio album, but it’s a great one), not Queen Latifah, not MC Lyte, not Lil Kim. Nope. Just Nicki Minaj and her army of Barbz. The newly minted American Idol judge also set a Vevo record by raking in 4.8 million views of her "Stupid Hoe" video earlier this year.
more
Drake
Dethrones Jay-Z for most #1 hits on Billboard Hip Hop/R&B chart
It’s Jay-Z who is “watching the throne†when it comes to most #1 hits on Billboard’s R & B/Hip Hop chart. (By the way, why are they on the same chart?) Everyone’s favorite emo rapper Drake has the crown in that arena. Somewhat surprising considering that Jay-Z has been in the game much longer than Drake, but the YMCMB rapper/actor has managed to pass up the self-proclaimed best rapper alive. YOLO
more
Three Six Mafia
Three Six Mafia Nabs an Oscar
Three Six Mafia was not the first hip hop act to win an Oscar (that honor goes to Eminem for “Lose Yourself†in 2002), but in 2006 they snagged a golden statuette for their track “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp†from the movie Hustle and Flow. Surely having “pimp†in the title of an Academy Award winning song is a first.
more