DJ Laz

This Florida emcee pulls no punches when it comes to unabashed ass-praising and floor-shaking bass bumps. But that's really no surprise, given that Laz (born Lazaro Mendez) is an influential DJ who's been promoting Miami Bass and Latin music since the late 1980s. Now something of an institution at Miami's Hot 96, Laz pioneered the fusion of Latin beats and rap in the '90s, and he's widely credited with helping to create Latin Bass, an offshoot of his hometown's famous export. Despite his constant work breaking new acts, DJ Laz takes time out every few years to drop his own releases, often featuring guest turns by some of the Dirty South's hottest emcees.