They say hip-hop ain’t dead, it just moved to the South! But truthfully hip-hop has had a home below the Mason-Dixon far longer than many are willing to acknowledge. Hip-Hop hasn’t always been kind to its Southern brothers and sisters but whether through raw, trunk rattling bass, or funkdafied soul samples; pioneering voices from Florida, Texas, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee and Mississippi would not be denied.

Often armed with unique Southern slang, gritty lyrics and dignified drawls these musical messengers made bodies move, kept alive painful past truths and communicated the current struggle of so many people who continue to live in a land that’s been scarred by slavery. And we listened. Even without the major label avenues, Southern music grew and spread until it became the force that drives todays radiowaves. Just look at the Billboard charts and you’ll see a Southern rapper by the name of B.O.B. knocked Rihanna off her number one spot.

As VH1 prepares to salute Southern pioneers Organized Noize, Luther Campbell and 2 Live Crew, Timbaland, Jermaine Dupri, J. Prince and Master P for this year’s 2010 Hip Hop Honors, BOSSIP compiled a gallery of our favorite Southern rappers, past present and future for your viewing pleasure.

Be sure to tune in tonight at 9pm/8pm EST/CST only on VH1!!!!