Common might be a well-established actor—appearing in dozens of films and television shows—but his hip-hop bonafides are undeniable. One of Chicago’s most promising MCs in the 1990s, his early work with producer No I.D. (1992’s Can I Borrow a Dollar?, 1994’s Resurrection, and 1997’s One Day It’ll All Make Sense) are among the city’s most enduring hip-hop albums. After moving to Brooklyn in 1998, he became a pivotal member of the informal Soulquarians collective that formed around The Roots bandleader Questlove, helping define a new sound that drew from soul, funk, jazz, and hip-hop in equal measure. With an Emmy, a Golden Globe, an Academy Award and multiple GRAMMYs to his name, he’s proven himself to be one of his generation’s most talented performers. Pete Rock’s legacy is rooted in his iconic productions from an era of New York hip-hop that saw the genre graduate from nascent upstart into a global cultural force. He made formative records with Heavy D, Nas, and his partner CL Smooth, as well as Common’s iconic “The B**** in Yoo.” His jazz, funk, and R&B sample-heavy production style has influenced—and continues to influence—multiple generations of artists.