The Roots, Gym Class Heroes, Estelle

The Roots
Though popular success has largely eluded the Roots, the Philadelphia group showed the way for live rap, building on Stetsasonic's "hip-hop band" philosophy of the mid-'80s by focusing on live instrumentation at their concerts and in the studio.

Gym Class Heroes
Melding elements of rap, rock, R&B, and funk into one cohesive and melodic sound, upstate New York's Gym Class Heroes have diverse appeal based on their impressive musical dexterity.

Estelle
Able to rap, sing, and write songs that have everyone from John Legend to Roots Manuva singing her praises, U.K. MC Estelle got her start in London's renowned hip-hop record store Deal Real.