Author name: Walter

Griselda Blanco was a ruthless Colombian drug trafficker whose Miami-based cartel distributed cocaine across the United States in the 1970s and 1980s.

Co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, Russell Simmons ignited the hip-hop revolution by promoting stars like the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Run-D.M.C. and LL Cool J.

Joan Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter and activist who is best known for songs like ‘There But for Fortune,’ ‘The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down’ and ‘Diamonds and Rust.’

Figure skater Peggy Fleming won the only U.S. gold medal in the 1968 Olympics. Later, she publicly battled breast cancer, beating it with radiation therapy.

Comedian and director Buster Keaton was popular for his pioneering silent comedies in the 1920s.

Yo-Yo Ma is an acclaimed cellist and songwriter who has produced dozens of albums and won 18 Grammy Awards.

Girls’ education activist Malala Yousafzai survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban at age 15 and is the youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

Big Pun was a Latino hip-hop artist whose album Capital Punishment went to No. 1 on the R&B/hip-hop charts. He died in 2000 from obesity related heart failure.

Pharrell Williams is a prolific music producer, songwriter and performer recognized as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop, R&B and pop.

American singer, rapper and drummer Anderson .Paak is an award-winning musician who’s adept in multiple musical genres, as demonstrated in songs like “Bubblin,” “Lockdown” and “Leave the Door Open.”