Class of 2013: DQP Dope Qualified Poet

Brockton's Dope Qualified Poet a/k/a DQP real name Kevin Brown was a key figure in the late 90's - 2000 era underground rap scene. As a producer Brown has worked with most if not all of the who's who in Brockton rap history. Live and on the mic DQP was as entertaining as any local rapper in his day. Brown was instrumental in the recording and producing of 1999's classic compilation Brocktons Illest. DQP was the de facto musical leader of a faction of Brockton's best black rapper's of that time, more than a few went on to become current and future hall of fame members. The Brockton Rap Hall of Fame is proud to include with the class of 2013: DQP Dope Qualified Poet.

Brockton Rap Hall of Fame Where The History of Brockton Rap Lives

Class of 2013: World Dinero

Nilton de Pina, better known as rapper World Dinero was Brockton's most MySpace Famous rapper ever, receiving over 700,000 profile hits. In 2008 de Pina released his mixtape World Dinero - What Means The World To You (Hosted by Jim Jones) featuring local classic 'Boston to Brockton'. By the end of the decade, the stark reality of glorifying gun violence and gangs in rap music had taken a mighty toll on Brockton's Cape Verdean community as well as de Pina's rap career. In November 2009, 4 people were shot after attending a World Dinero concert and video shoot in Brockton, leaving Antonio Centeio, 23, dead of gunshot wounds. The murder of his friend 'Tonito' prompted de Pina to contemplate retirement from the rap game at age 21.

Class of 2012: Smit Rat

If you were around the Brockton rap scene during the 1990's you'll remember rapper / producer / DJ Mark Smith known as Smit Rat as a central figure in the studio and on stage. Many well known Brockton rap acts were helped in no small part by Smith's recording prowess, including New Youth Massika, Trech Emcees, Dutch and 4 FIFTH, The Rhyminal and the list goes on. Prior to 2000 Smit Rat presented Brockton Classics (forerunner of the Brockton Rap Hall of Fame) with over 100 one off's and rare brockton rap tracks recorded between 1987-1997. If you were not around during the nineties then please thank Mark Smith for filling in a decade's worth of Brockton rap music history, without which there may be no Brockton Rap Hall of Fame. Smit Rat appeared on 1999's underground release Brocktons Illest. We take this opportunity on our 5th anniversary to induct the Thomas Paine of  Brockton rap history, Mark 'Smit Rat' Smith.

Class of 2011: D. Lopes

Brockton rapper Daniel Dwayne Lopes a/k/a  D. Lopes along with producer J. Beats released "The Bright Darkness" in 2005. As a top Brockton rap artist, D. Lopes quickly became the King of Cape Verdean Hip Hop. The team went on to receive the award for "2006 Best Original Hip-Hop Performance" on BET's number one syndicate 106th and Park, twice, and on both occasions they won by a landslide. D. Lopes also received "Best Cape Verdean Artist of 2006" award from ForCv. With the 2007 release of Concrete Intelligence, D. Lopes cemented his legacy as one of the premier Brockton rappers ever.

Class of 2011: Grover

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Class of 2010: The Rhyminal

Well known Brockton native Eric Zarella, rap name The Rhyminal has made a name for himself in a competitive eastern Massachusetts hip hop scene. He is considered by this hall as a top five rapper in Brockton all time. Zarella, founder of rap duo Ballcklub, has always performed well in the studio. The Rhyminal seems to get in where he fits in whether its behind the camera or working as Mr. Good DJ.

Class of 2010: Brian Slay

Brian Schleehauf d/b/a DJ Slay has been a major player in Brockton hip hop for twenty years. Brian Slay began his career as a dj for Trech Emcees ca.1990. Slay also appeared on and co-produced local underground classic Brocktons Illest in 1999. 2013 UPDATE: 2012 Schleehauf started BrianSlayTV a youtube channel with 800,000+ video plays as of this update doubling his total plays in the past 24 hours. 2013 has Schleehauf playing a major roll in discovering and promoting the biggest buzz in Brockton music history with America's controversial rap sensation, Brockton's own Lil Poopy. Dj Slay has remained a local top club disc jockey and his future in hip hop has never looked brighter. 

Class of 2008: Gary McWop Dunn

Gary Dunn the 'Black Bart' of Brockton rap was the driving force behind Hall of Fame rap group Trech Emcees for over a decade. As a producer and recording engineer, Dunn donated hundreds of hours of studio time to local aspiring rappers, helping foster a highly competitive underground hip hop scene. In 2001 Dunn 'retired' to Phoenix, Arizona only to resurface a few years later as one of Brockton's most despised rappers ever, Slick McWop. In 2007 Dunn opened the Gary Dunn Rap Clinic, later establishing June 19th as Global Rap Day. Dunn also co-produced 1999's street release compilation CD Brocktons Illest.