Partners in Rhyme

Hip hop friendships that have endured the test of time.

The Leisure Suit - Even though big guys of present day like Rick Ross are comfortable going shirtless to awards shows, back on September 3, 1998, Big Pun and Fat Joe went the leisure suit route when attending the Fourth Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards in Los Angeles. (Photo: Julian Wasser)

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Heavy Hitters - February 7, 2012 marks the 12th Anniversary of Big Pun's death. Although Pun's commercial debut came on Fat Joe's second album Jealous One's Envy, Joey was primarily influenced by Pun's top-notch lyrical ability, whom he considered a big brother. So it was only right that Pun brought along Joey for the ride on his first mainstream hit single "Still Not a Player" off his Capital Punishment debut album that ultimately became the first platinum-selling album by a solo Latino rapper. As the two primary faces of the Terror Squad the pair seemed inseparable, until Pun's death in 1998. The two solo stars made for a dynamic duo, but they aren’t the first to pull off the routine successfully. Here’s a look at some other solo acts who have formed an impactful union in rap.(Photo: Julian Wasser/Getty Images)

High Life - The similarities between rap icon Snoop Dogg and burgeoning rap superstar Wiz Khalifa are uncanny. They are both care-free; fun-loving, smooth operators who make ubiquitous, crowd pleasing music for those that share their love for Mary Jane. So it was only natural that the two would become fast and frequent collaborators and more importantly close friends. Taking their budding relationship to the next level Wiz and Snoop are set to release their buddy comedy, soon-to-be, cult classic, Mac & Devin Go to High School on December 20.   (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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High Life - The similarities between rap icon Snoop Dogg and burgeoning rap superstar Wiz Khalifa are uncanny. They are both care-free; fun-loving, smooth operators who make ubiquitous, crowd pleasing music for those that share their love for Mary Jane. So it was only natural that the two would become fast and frequent collaborators and more importantly close friends. Taking their budding relationship to the next level Wiz and Snoop are set to release their buddy comedy, soon-to-be, cult classic, Mac & Devin Go to High School on December 20.   (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

Brooklyn's Finest - The odd paring of the mammoth MC and his pint-size protege made for one of hip hop's more charismatic buddy tandems. Thanks to Big consistently name-dropping his lil homie in songs, Cease a Leo gained star status in hip hop, putting out a solid debut, The Wonderful World of Cease a Leo, in 1999. From the beginning and sadly til the end, Lil Cease was by Big's side. (Photo by Chi Modu/diverseimages/Getty Images)  (Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

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Brooklyn's Finest - The odd paring of the mammoth MC and his pint-size protege made for one of hip hop's more charismatic buddy tandems. Thanks to Big consistently name-dropping his lil homie in songs, Cease a Leo gained star status in hip hop, putting out a solid debut, The Wonderful World of Cease a Leo, in 1999. From the beginning and sadly til the end, Lil Cease was by Big's side. (Photo by Chi Modu/diverseimages/Getty Images) (Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

So Fresh, So Clean - Back in the 1980s when hip hop was starting to make its march toward mainstream notoriety, Harlem native Doug E. Fresh and his Bronx-bred running mate Slick Rick made for a dynamic duo. Though they garnered solo success with classic singles "The Show" and "La Di Dodi," the duo often came together to deliver historic shows throughout NYC with their Get Fresh Crew.(Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

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So Fresh, So Clean - Back in the 1980s when hip hop was starting to make its march toward mainstream notoriety, Harlem native Doug E. Fresh and his Bronx-bred running mate Slick Rick made for a dynamic duo. Though they garnered solo success with classic singles "The Show" and "La Di Dodi," the duo often came together to deliver historic shows throughout NYC with their Get Fresh Crew.(Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

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Family Affair - The bond between Baby and Lil' Wayne is deeper than rap. From the start of Cash Money Records rise in late 1990s the Birdman has always touted his young understudy as a future hip hop great. In return, Weezy, a.k.a Birdman Jr., has never been shy about expressing his affection for his musical daddy. And now the two are the bosses of one of hip hop's most powerful crews, Cash Money/Young Money.(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Photo By Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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Best Friend - While Eminen was the star of the unruly Detroit rap collective D12, Proof was the heart and soul of clique. The childhood friends made hip hop history, delivering two multi-platinum selling albums–2001’s Devil’s Night and 2004’s D12 World–as part of the infamous group. And since Proof's passing his name has lived on through Em's music.(REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/Landov)

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Best Friend - While Eminen was the star of the unruly Detroit rap collective D12, Proof was the heart and soul of clique. The childhood friends made hip hop history, delivering two multi-platinum selling albums–2001’s Devil’s Night and 2004’s D12 World–as part of the infamous group. And since Proof's passing his name has lived on through Em's music.(REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/Landov)

A Man's World - Method Man and Redman are quite a fun pairing. The two off the wall MCs first teamed up on their 1999 group album, Blackout!, then went on to collaborate in the stoner flick How High. Fans of the comedic combo will be glad to know a sequel for the movie is in the works as well as another album. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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A Man's World - Method Man and Redman are quite a fun pairing. The two off the wall MCs first teamed up on their 1999 group album, Blackout!, then went on to collaborate in the stoner flick How High. Fans of the comedic combo will be glad to know a sequel for the movie is in the works as well as another album. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Two Dope Boyz - When Ghostface Killah and Raekwon weren't dropping gems on iconic Wu Tang albums, the top notch lyrical tandem was taking the drug rap genre to the next level on various solo LPs, like Rae's 1995 classic, Only Built for Cuban Linx. (Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect)

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Two Dope Boyz - When Ghostface Killah and Raekwon weren't dropping gems on iconic Wu Tang albums, the top notch lyrical tandem was taking the drug rap genre to the next level on various solo LPs, like Rae's 1995 classic, Only Built for Cuban Linx. (Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect)

My Buddy - G-Unit has certainly seen its share of friction. But through it all 50 Cent has always been able to rely on his second in command, Tony Yayo. And likewise Yayo knows if ever in a pinch or the clink, Fif has his back. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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My Buddy - G-Unit has certainly seen its share of friction. But through it all 50 Cent has always been able to rely on his second in command, Tony Yayo. And likewise Yayo knows if ever in a pinch or the clink, Fif has his back. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Ups & Downs - Its been a rocky road at times for the relationship between Cam'ron and his Diplomats capo, Jim Jones. But before the breakup–and the ensuing make up–the Harlem duo made beautiful music together. Cam and Jones are a historic hip hop duo. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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Memphis Bleek feat. Jay-Z & Missy Elliott, "Is That Yo Chick?" - Jay's protégé Memphis Bleek hit a career highlight with this banging 2000 single, featuring a hilarious, double-time Jay verse, a rumbling, droning Timbaland beat and a hook from Missy. An alternate version of the song showed up, sans Bleek, on the European release of Jay's Vol. 3...Life and Times of S. Carter.(REUTERS/Vincent Wang/Landov)

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Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z has made it clear that his right hand man, Memphis Bleek, is set for life. In return Bleek has been a stand up guy riding for Jigga while other ex Roc-A-Fella artists have thrown stones at the throne. (REUTERS/Vincent Wang /Landov)

Partners In Rhyme - It's never a dull moment with Atlanta's dynamic duo. Gucci Mane ushered Waka into the game and the dreadlocked rapper went on to rep for the Brick Squad while Gooch dealt with a series of legal issues. Photo: By Moses Robinson/PictureGroup

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Trap Boyz - It ain't hard to tell Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame are two of hip hop's most outlandish characters. When the ATLiens aren't ducking trouble with the law like a hip hop modern day Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, they're making hit music with their 1017 Brick Squad Click. (Photo by Moses Robinson/PictureGroup)