Indiana rapper Black Jesus first gained national exposure with his song "What That Thing Smell Like" -- and its accompanying video -- which was popular enough to maintain a nine-month reign on BET's late-night program Un-Cut. The Midwest MC began as a concert promoter in the mid-'90s with his own production company, Scrilla Entertainment. In 2000 he helped form Before and After Records, and the following year Black Jesus became the label's breakout artist with "What That Thing Smell Like." ~ Wade Kergan