Bobby Shmurda

Bobby Shmurda's impact on hip-hop is defined by the explosive success of "Hot Nigga" and the cultural phenomenon of the Shmoney Dance. The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a 3x Platinum certification, making it one of the defining rap singles of 2014. Alongside Rowdy Rebel, Shmurda is credited as a pioneer of Brooklyn drill, a subgenre that influenced a generation of New York rappers. His BET Hip Hop Awards sweep in 2014 — winning Best New Hip Hop Artist, Track of the Year, and the People's Champ Award — highlighted the song's massive reach. Despite a lengthy prison sentence that interrupted his momentum, his return in 2021 was met with widespread support, and he remains a significant figure in hip-hop culture.