Coming under the mentorship of Run D.M.C. After serving time at a boot camp for drug possession, Fif returned to the streets, eager to make a soft landing in the music business. Born and raised in South Jamaica, Queens, 50, born Curtis Jackson, began rapping as a teen before running afoul of the law. Going from the brink of death to the executive suite is a rare transition, but one 50 Cent made seem effortless. Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images In part three of our four-part series, we look back at 14 of the most impactful artists that doubled as visionaries in Hip-Hop history. Last installment, we covered 14 of the most impactful founders and moguls of the past five decades. In celebration of Black Music Month and Hip-Hop 50, VIBE and Lexus highlight 50 of the greatest music industry figures of the Hip-Hop Era. Creatives that make the art get the chunk of the headlines and credit, but it is often the work of the masterminds behind the scenes that pull the strings to ensure that the culture continues to be driven forward. Yet, the efforts of those who launched companies, climbed the corporate ladder, or capitalized on their artistic endeavors to pursue entrepreneurship are indispensable.

The presence of Black power brokers in the music business was not as prevalent 50 years ago as it is today.

Thriving off the ingenuity of savvy founders, executives, managers, and enterprising artists, Hip-Hop has moved the global needle and contributed to big business since its inception. Taking street energy and lending its influence and buying power to music, fashion, entertainment, and more.

The movement born in the 1970’s from The Bronx, NYC has evolved from its humble beginnings into a billion-dollar industry. Hip-Hop has become a global force, infiltrating various sectors of culture while impacting numerous facets of life.

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