1973: The Birth of a Movement
While deejaying his sister’s birthday party, DJ Kool Herc tried something unheard of at the time: He extended an instrumental break from James Brown’s “Give It Up or Turnit a Loose” and began rapping over it as the crowd proceeded to breakdance. This sows the seeds for what would eventually blossom into hip-hop culture.
1974: Remember the Name
The term “hip-hop” is created. However, there are conflicting reports as to whether that title is attributed to Keef Cowboy or Lovebug Starski.
1977: Respect the DJ
Grand Wizard Theodore invents the scratching technique, which is pivotal in helping to elevate DJing into an art form. He’s also credited with pioneering the needle drop and either refinining or creating other techniques.
1977: Let the Poppers Pop and the Breakers Break
The Rock Steady Crew, the most influential breakdancing crew in hip-hop history, is founded by b-boys Jimmy Dee and Jimmy Lee. It’s most prominent members include Crazy Legs, Bobbito Garcia of The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show fame and DJ Qbert.
1979: I Wanna Chill on Sugar Hill
Sugar Hill Records is born, and the label’s first act, The Sugarhill Gang, releases the first hip-hop song to become a Hot 100 hit, “Rapper’s Delight.”
1981: Music for the Masses
Blondie’s “Rapture,” with its various homages to hip-hop luminaries like Fab Five Freddy and graffiti artist Lee Quiñones, becomes the first song with rap vocals to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
1982: I Can’t Live Without My Radio
Rap Attack, hosted by popular DJ Mr. Magic, becomes the first hip-hop radio show to hit commercial airwaves on New York City’s WBLS.
1982: It’s Like a Jungle Outside
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five release “The Message,” proving rap is more than just party music and is entirely capable of providing social commentary.
1983: On the Marquee
Wild Style becomes hip-hop’s first film, introducing a burgeoning movement to the masses. Grandmaster Flash, The Cold Crush Brothers, Fab 5 Freddy, and Lady Pink are among the notable hip-hop royalty who appear in the groundbreaking movie.
1984: Bigger and Deffer
Def Jam Records, a cornerstone of rap music for nearly 40 years, is founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin. In the label’s infancy, LL Cool J, The Beastie Boys, and Slick Rick help round out its iconic roster.
1984: Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop
Fresh Fest, boasting a lineup of Run-DMC, Kurtis Blow, Whodini, The Fat Boys and Newcleus, becomes hip-hop’s first major rap tour.
1986: My Adidas
After experiencing major crossover success with Aerosmith for the song, “Walk This Way,” Run-DMC bridge the gap between rap and fashion by partnering with Adidas.
1986: Ladies First
Salt n’ Pepa’s debut album, Hot, Cool and Vicious, makes them the first female rap group to earn a platinum certification. Songs from the album include the unforgettable “Tramp” and the smash hit, “Push It.”
1987: Eric B. Is President
Eric B. & Rakim usher in hip-hop’s Golden Age with their debut album, Paid in Full. The album cover features custom clothing created by hip-hop’s go-to fashion designer at the time, Dapper Dan.
1987: Somebody Gotta Do It
Ice-T becomes the first rapper to receive a Parental Advisory warning label on his debut album, Rhyme Pays. It would go on to sell over 500,000 copies in the United States and receive a gold certification from the RIAA.
1988: Who’s the Man
Yo! MTV Raps, hosted by Doctor Dré, Fab 5 Freddy and Ed Lover, debuts on MTV. By incorporating interviews, music videos, and live performances, it showcases every element of hip-hop culture.
1989: Taking It to the Top
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince win hip-hop’s first-ever Grammy for their hit single, “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” However, in standing up for hip-hop culture, the duo boycott the ceremony due to their award not being televised.
1989: Straight Outta Compton
The FBI sends a letter to gangsta rap group N.W.A., demanding that they stop “advocating violence and assault” against law enforcement with their anti-police brutality anthem, “Fuck tha Police.” The slogan has since gone on to inspire millions of others to protest the horrors that are far too often carried out by those who have sworn to serve and protect our communities.
1990: Banned in the U.S.A.
Testing the boundaries of free speech, 2 Live Crew’s third studio album, As Nasty As They Wanna Be, is banned for obscenity. As a result, members of the group are arrested days later while performing songs from the album in Hollywood, Fla.
1990: Yo, Home to Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air brings hip-hop culture to television audiences when it premieres on NBC. Over the course of its iconic six season run, it would go on to become one of the most beloved sitcoms in the history of American television.
1994: Baptized in the Funk
Da Brat becomes the first solo female rapper to go platinum with the release of her debut album, Funkdafied. Produced entirely by Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, her success solidifies her status as one of hip-hop’s fiercest emcees.
1996: I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto
Hip-Hop savant 2Pac tragically dies after being the victim of a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. As one of the most influential rappers of all-time, his death leaves an indelible mark on the music industry.
1997: I’ll Be Missing You
Six months after the death of 2Pac, rap luminary The Notorious B.I.G. is killed in Los Angeles at the age of 24. The “Big Poppa” rapper is universally revered as one of the greatest rappers to ever pick up a microphone.
2000: Big Momma Thang
Rapper Lil’ Kim and Mary J. Blige—better known as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul—partner with M.A.C. to become spokespeople for VIVA GLAM III Lipstick. The campaign is used to raise money for the M.A.C AIDS Fund.
2001: Nature of a Sista
Queen Latifah collaborates with esteemed makeup brand CoverGirl to launch the Queen Collection, allowing makeup for deeper skin tones to become more accessible.
2003: Welcome 2 Detroit
“Lose Yourself” wins an Academy Award for Best Original Song, making Detroit native Eminem the first rapper to achieve this honor. Considered by many to be his signature song, the guitar-driven 8 Mile standout has sold over 13 million copies to date.
2006: All Hail the Queen
Queen Latifah becomes the first rapper to be inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Throughout the course of her five-decade career, outside of her accomplishments in music, she’s proven to be equally as formidable in film, television, the beauty industry and her various other endeavors.
2006: Poppin’ My Collar
Three 6 Mafia becomes the first rap group to win an Oscar for Best Original Song with “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp.” The contangious anthem serves as the theme song for the cult classic Hustle & Flow, starring Terrence Howard.
2018: The Recipe
Kendrick Lamar becomes the first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize for his fourth studio album, DAMN. The “virtuosic song collection” is honored for “its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life.”
2019: I Like It Like That
Cardi B becomes the first female solo artist to win a Grammy for Best Rap Album with Invasion of Privacy. Serving as inspiration for a new generation of female emcees, the album spawned five multi-platnium singles and has sold over four million copies to date.
2019: Can’t Knock the Hustle
Forbes crowns Jay-Z hip-hop’s first billionaire. But with the success of his full-service entertainment company, Roc Nation, as well as investments in Armand de Brignac champagne and D’Ussé cognac, his net worth has since ballooned to a mind-blowing $2.5 billion.
2021: Started From the Bottom
Drake becomes the first artist to surpass 50 billion streams on Spotify. As the poster child for the streaming era, his 2016 song “One Dance” has over 2.7 billion streams alone.
2022: No One’s Iller
With the addition of 73.5 million certifications, Eminem becomes the most certified artist in RIAA history. Of additonal note, his estimated 220 million records sold cement his status as one of the the best selling artists ever.
2022: All Dat
Megan Thee Stallion becomes the first Black woman on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 cover. The prestigious, annual list highlights “600 of the brightest young entrepreneurs, leaders, and stars.”
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