Freddie Foxxx / Bumpy Knuckles

A veteran emcee with arguably the most roughneck delivery around, Freddie Foxxx (aka Bumpy Knuckles) has been putting in work since the mid-1980s, when he rolled with Eric B and Rakim's posse. In 1989 he released his first album, Freddie Foxxx Is Here, and collaborated with a slew of artists throughout the '90s, including Gang Starr, BDP, Naughty By Nature, Kool G Rap, and M.O.P. In 2000 he released his excellent, long-awaited follow-up, Industry Shakedown, which featured sick production from the likes of Pete Rock, Premier, and the Alchemist among others. His high-octane, no-holds-barred rhymes called out shady record execs and wack emcees alike, and further cemented his legendary status in the underground. In addition to his mic skills, Freddie Foxxx also co-owns a record label and produces TV commercials for various companies. He frequently works with Pete Rock, and they're scheduled to release an album together in 2001.