Spring is here. Flowers are blooming, birds are singing and love is in the air. But which couple has the strongest relationship in hip-hop? What duo is truly dynamic? Ro examined five of the strongest unions in hip-hop. They range from movie-making power couples to Bonnie and Clyde-like hell raisers — but these are the couples whose moves make the world pay attention. – dusty culpepper
Kelis and Nas
No other 2008 hip-hop album was as controversial as Nas’ Untitled. Of course, that wasn’t the original title of the album and the most controversial hip-hop photo op of 2008 was undoubtedly when the Queensbridge rapper and his pop star wife showed up on the Grammy Awards red carpet wearing outfits with ‘N*gger’ emblazoned on them. The scrutiny began to overwhelm the MC, so the title was changed, but it was still one of the year’s most acclaimed hip-hop albums and was nominated for a Grammy.
Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri
They may be the only dynamic duo on the list that remains un-married, but the mogul and his pop diva girlfriend are still power players in the industry. Dupri partnered with Proctor & Gamble’s TAG body spray for a new label, TAG Records. Ms. Jackson-If-You-Nasty didn’t have as great a year however, her much-hyped “Rock Whichu Tour” was plagued by problems, including Janet’s bout with what her publicist and opening act LL Cool J dropping off the tour after numerous schedule changes.
Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon
Surpassing Elvis Presley with 2008s “Touch My Body,” Carey now has the second most number one singles of all-time, (behind only to the Beatles). Her 2008 album, E=MC², gave her the biggest opening week numbers of her career and spent two straight weeks at the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100. Cannon, meanwhile, has been announced as the new host of the fourth season of the hit show “America’s Got Talent” and signed a two-year deal with Nickelodeon to star in, create, produce and direct original programming for, TEENick, the network aimed at teenagers.
Jada Pinkett-Smith & Will Smith
Yes, we know Will Smith hasn’t released an album in four years, but he’ll always be The Fresh Prince so that’s good enough for a nod. Mr. Smith was big in 2008 and although the blockbuster Hancock wasn’t necessarily as huge as expected — it scontinued Smith’s impressive run of July 4th box office hits, grossing $103.9 million domestically over its first five days. Jada’s Madagascar 2 grossed $180,010,950 domestically, and Forbes projected that they earned a combined $85M last year.
Beyonce & j-Z
They topped the Forbes list as the richest celebrity couple, and hip-hop’s most high-profile spouses reportedly earned approx. $162M in 2008. Of course, with the best power couples, there is a wonderful balance to what S. Carter and B have been able to accomplish. Her 2008 release I Am… Sasha Fierce debuted at number one and has gone double-platinum (as of March 2009.) Hubby Hov was no slouch either, even in what was a relatively low-key year for the Brooklyn rapper. He netted a deal with promotion company LiveNation for reportedly $150M. The deal includes recordings, tours and entertainment ventures.
