Jake One

Jake One toiled on the underrated Northwest scene for years before finally achieving national recognition. First emerging as a member of Seattle group the Conmen in the late '90s, Jake One subsequently established himself as a freelance producer, making beats for indie-rap artists like MF Doom, Krondon and Encore. In 2003, he landed a track on G-Unit's double-platinum album Beg for Mercy. Subsequent placements with De La Soul, Scarface and Rakim marked him as someone equally comfortable with backpack rappers and major label acts. In 2008, indie-rap powerhouse Rhymesayers Entertainment released his debut album, White Van Music. In 2010, he reached new heights with The Stimulus Package, a full-length collaboration with former Roc-A-Fella rapper Freeway.