Terry Gross

LL Cool J made his recording debut in 1984 when he was 16. He's then, since won two Grammys, had several platinum recordings and starred in NCIS: Los Angeles. Originally broadcast in 1997.

Rodgers' "Good Times" guitar groove was later sampled in the Sugar Hill Gang's 1979 hit "Rapper's Delight," widely considered the first crossover hip-hop song. Originally broadcast in 1996.

McDaniels co-founded Run-D.M.C., the first rap group to have their videos played on MTV, to earn a platinum record and to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Originally broadcast in 1997.