Judges
Our HipHop judges are some of most creative and credible forces in the underground. These artists have spent years forging their own way without the influence of executives, A&R men or stockholders. They are the modern embodiment of the D.I.Y. spirit out of which HipHop was born.
Saigon’s ascent to the top of HipHop has been swift. This is due, of course, to not only his incredible talent, but also to his lyrical honesty. In an age in which rappers concoct media images of “thug” life, Saigon presents a real account of urban life and his career could be a blueprint for independent rappers in the modern age. Saigon built his fame using non-traditional methods, by spreading mixtapes across the country, both physically and digitally. By the time Saigon co-starred on the HBO series “Entourage,” he was already famous, all on his own terms. Having gone the distance on his own, Saigon is about to drop his first proper full-length album on Fort Knocks/HipHop Since 1978/Atlantic Records to an even larger audience.
9th Wonder is a Grammy-winning producer who has worked with Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z and Destiny’s Child, among others. 9th Wonder has long been ahead of the curve in the production world. 9th Wonder began making beats on his computer in college during the 90s when many in the industry were still predominantly using stand-alone samplers. In 2002, he spearheaded what is now a common trend by remixing Nas’ entire God’s Son record. Recently, 9th Wonder was appointed Artist in Residence at North Carolina Central University, alongside Chris “Kid” Martin of Kid n’ Play, where he teaches a HipHop history course.
DJ Green Lantern (also known as The Evil Genius) may not have invented the mixtape, but he has taken the medium further than any artist before him could’ve imagined. Green Lantern began crafting his innovative tapes in the late 90s, generating buzz for now world-famous acts Jay-Z and Eminem. He has since remixed artists from the rock and pop worlds as well, ranging from Linkin Park to Rick James. Green Lantern has contributed his skills to global concert tours and video games, as well as companies like Roc-a-Fella, Heineken, Def Jam, VIBE and Ecko Clothing, among others. He is currently Jay-Z’s official DJ and he also hosts radio shows on both New York’s Hot 97 and Sirius Satellite Radio. His proper debut solo album Invasion is scheduled for release in early 2008 on Island/Def Jam.