Hip-hop is no longer just a musical genre; it's become a way of life that encompasses fashion, film, food, drink, sports, electronics and more -- one that has opened new paths to profit and to critical and commercial acclaim. Thanks in large part to the Three Kings (Diddy, Dr. Dre, and Jay-Z) -- who all started their own record labels and released classic albums before moving on to become multifaceted businessmen -- hip-hop has been transformed from a genre spawned in poverty into a truly global multibillion-dollar industry.

The originators -- Writing on the wall -- Bad boys -- Studio gangsters -- Aftermath -- Fashion fortunes -- A fourth King? -- The beats generation -- Grape expectations -- Sound investments -- Ice in the einter -- State of the art -- Kings, queens, presidents, and precedents.