My favorite emcee of ALL TIME! Grand Puba Maxwell

Grand Puba had a cadence, swagger and effortless style that catalyzed a generation of artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z. I love this record, which was on Mary J. Blige's first album.

Grand Puba is an emcee best known as a member of the group Brand Nubian. He made his debut with the group Masters of Ceremony. Its album Dynamite (1988) was hailed by critics, but probably due to lack of sales, the group soon disbanded, and Puba emerged as the lead emcee of Brand Nubian. After their innovative and versatile debut album One For All (1990)—covering areas from reggae-influenced hip hop music to new jack swing—Puba left the group after disputes with its other members and embarked on a solo career. He became a member of the group again in 1998, in time for the album Foundation. In 1999, Puba and group mate Sadat X performed on the track "Once Again" on Handsome Boy Modeling School's concept album So How's Your Girl.... Following the group's 2004 effort Fire in the Hole, a rejuvenated Puba appeared on tracks with Beanie Sigel ("Bread and Butter," also featuring groupmate Sadat X), Missy Elliott ("My Struggles," featuring his onetime collaborator Mary J. Blige), and Ugly Duckling ("Something's Going Down Tonight").