There’s an age-old question that pops up whenever a rap newcomer first comes across something like Lil Wayne’s No Ceiling projects: what’s the difference between an album and a mixtape? Moreover, there are many metrics that people might use to distinguish them: quality control, recording process, release methods, etc. A common thread across these discussions, though, is the vitality and importance of the mixtape to the hip-hop genre. Furthermore, these projects are often uninhibited, sometimes obscured by the passage of time, but forever influential and freeing for artists- if done well. Whatever era of hip-hop you look at, at least a good handful (if not a treasure trove) of killer mixtapes awaits.
However, the same era they thrived in is no longer what we see in the music landscape. Speaking of No Ceilings, Weezy himself said that it would be more difficult and less alluring to drop a mixtape in today’s day and age, what with sample clearances, overloaded release schedules, and so on. With all this history in mind, Paramount+ is taking a deep dive into the importance of the medium with the documentary MIXTAPE. Premiering exclusively on the streaming service on August 1 in the U.S. and Canada and on August 2 in other international markets, the film will explore how mixtapes breathed life into rap music.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 12: Lil Wayne performs onstage during The 2023 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Of course, these aren’t exactly the kinds of mixtapes that Tunechi brought us, but rather those from the DJs and tastemakers of hip-hop. MTV Entertainment Studios produced MIXTAPE in association with Def Jam Recordings and a soundtrack will accompany it. Guests in the film include A$AP Rocky, Lil Wayne, DJ Drama, 2 Chainz, Funkmaster Flex, DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Fabolous, Jadakiss, DJ Green Lantern, DJ Jazzy Joyce, KRS-One, and many more. In a press release, some of the film’s crew members remarked on its importance.
“Hip-hop is 50 years old and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate its journey and contextualize its evolution than through the story of the mixtape,” said director Omar Acosta. “Every voice in this film played a critical role, especially the DJs who, as KRS-ONE says beautifully in the film, risked everything to ‘bring us the music.’” “It’s an honor to be involved in this film and to help tell the real story of the mixtape, its origins, its impact, and its on-going relevance for the culture,” producer Tony Touch expressed. For more news and the latest updates on this documentary, come back to HNHH.
During a recent interview on The Big Tigger Morning Show, Big Daddy Kane discussed the future of hip hop. He revealed that he believes the key to securing the future of the genre lies in the younger generation. In light of hip hop celebrating it’s 50-year-anniversary, he claims he’d like to sit down with some younger artists to “give them [the] game.”
“To get another 50, I believe that we need to bridge that gap between the older generation and the younger generation,” Big Daddy Kane explained. He continued, describing how the older generation could provide younger artists with some valuable insight. “We had our shot, we did our thing,” he says, “we’re still around, and we have a fan base that supports us for our catalog. So we’re not trying to threaten the younger generation, not trying to replace them.”
Big Daddy Kane Wants To Sit Down With The Younger Generation
Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak Black” class=”wp-image-691704″ srcset=”https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Big-Daddy-Kane-3.jpg 1024w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Big-Daddy-Kane-3-300×200.jpg 300w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Big-Daddy-Kane-3-768×512.jpg 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” />(Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images)
“I would love to sit down with the likes of like Lil Uzi Vert or Kodak Black or Migos,” he continued, “any of these cats, just to build. I think that’s what’s important when there can be a connection where the past generation can talk with the future generation and give them [the] game.”
In a recent interview with HNHH, Big Daddy Kane discussed the “expiration dates” put on hip hop artists. “They call [older artists] ‘old school’ instead of Hip-Hop legends,” he explained. “In my opinion,” he continued, “it is something that needs to be done, you know? It’s something that needs to be done to show respect. And then also, for a younger generation to see the difference. I would love for the younger generation to say, ‘Damn. They don’t have all that stuff exploding and all of this and they still tore it down. Yeah, I gotta step my stage game up,‘ you know? So that they can have a longer career doing what they do.”
In this era of Hip Hop history, women have been dominating the culture. A voice that has reverberated for years above the masses is Rapsody, a femcee who began carving out her space in Hip Hop over 20 years ago. Rapsody, born Marlanna Evans, grew up in the small town of Snow Hill, North Carolina, and as a child, she admired women lyricists whose pens were mightier than their swords. It is no surprise that Rapsody has not only amassed great success in the industry but has become a coveted voice within the culture. Albums like Eve and Laila’s Wisdom show that she is both a student and a teacher regarding R.A.P.—”Rhythm And Poetry.”
We’re honoring 50 years of Hip Hop this year, and the celebrations haven’t ceased. What was birthed in The Bronx has become an international phenomenon, and brands like D’Usse Cognac are curating events to highlight such a milestone. Founded by Jay-Z, D’usse has been a staple in Hip Hop. They specially curated a series of must-attend Day Parties, and over the weekend, Rapsody was with the brand in Houston, where we caught up with her. We talked about the significance of this milestone and her vision for the next 50 years of Hip Hop.
“I want to see, you know, a lot more women owning labels, producing. Just taking on all those roles that men have dominated for years. Because we’re talented, we’re worthy, we have value. We’re heavy hitters in change.”
Read through our chat with venerated emcee Rapsody to check out what she had to say about D’Usse holding down Hip Hop, her desire to see more women take their deserved places at the forefront of the culture, and why it’s important for her at this stage of her life to remove the veil of celebrity that often keeps her at arm’s length from her fans.
This interview has been slightly edited for clarity.
HNHH: Thank you so much for speaking with us! Let’s jump right in—tell us all about the D’Usse event in Houston and this year’s ongoing Hip Hop 50 celebrations.
Rapsody: I thought the event was amazing. To come together in Houston, which is, you know, one of the major cities that’s contributed a lot to Hip Hop. And women that have come from here! Just to come through and celebrate 50 years of that it has been amazing. And to do it with D’Usse, we know how important Hip Hop has been, especially to the liquor brands.
As you know, [D’Usse is] one brand that we’ve always helped uplift, but to do it in this way, I think it’s amazing. D’Usse is a representation of Hip Hop, they go hand in hand. We had a good time, Houston came out,! We went through South music, I brought some East Coast music. It was just a beautiful evening. That’s what Hip Hop was created—to bring people together, to celebrate our individuality, our community, and that’s what it felt like here tonight.
The celebrations of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary are putting our pioneers back in the forefront. What are your hopes for the future of the culture?
Aw, man. It’s been 50 years, and when I think about the future, I mean, I hope we continue to, you know, expand in our creativity. I love to see Hip Hop continue to build and grow in the space of education. I think that’s so important. We have so much power there. And I want to see, you know, a lot more women owning labels, producing. Just taking on all those roles that men have dominated for years. Because we’re talented, we’re worthy, we have value. We’re heavy hitters in change. I was talking to somebody the other day, and it’s like, Kool Herc had that party back then because his sister needed money to go back to school to get clothes. It was something. So, women have always been a part of the culture, and I want to see us really represented in all spaces.
Exactly! The contributions from women in Hip Hop are endless. Who were some of the women that have been a shoulder for you to lean on? Who has offered up words of wisdom in your times of need?
Man, my Hip Hop community when it comes to women? I don’t want to forget anybody! First, I would say Rah Digga. She was the first woman in Hip Hop that ever created with me on a record. And that meant a lot. Like, she was the beginning of me knowing what sisterhood looked like in this business. And Chaka Pilgrim, who, when I signed the Roc Nation, she was the president of Roc Nation. And she just taught me so much in a short period of time before she transitioned on to her next career path. But, you know, she was always there with words of wisdom, encouragement, support…anything I needed.
The same with the current president Shari Bryant. She’s been like a rock star and a great example of what a woman looks like in those spaces and how supportive that is for our village. MC Lyte—that’s the big sister. Queen Latifah. Missy Elliott. Misa Hylton, a legend. Icon. She’s been, you know, a huge, huge factor in my life. Probably the biggest, and has taught me so many things. I could go on and on! But those are some.
That’s beautiful. I love to hear that. So, there are several ways that the industry is honoring Hip Hop’s 50th. What is something that you’re looking forward to this year? Or what is a highlight that you’ve already experienced?
Man, okay. I have short-term memory loss! [laughs] A Hip Hop 50 event that I’m looking forward to? Let me think. I’ve been a part of several, but—the anniversary, true anniversary, we’re celebrating all year, but it’s in August, right? So, I’m really looking forward to those events, because I know they’re gonna be big.
I’m actually doing one in New York with Rakim and a bunch of other artists. So, to do an event like that in celebration of 50 years in Hip Hop, and to do it with a legend like Rakim and so many other artists, and to have representation of the newer generation with myself, I’m really looking forward to that. What the crowd looks like, the age spectrum that I know will be represented. So, I’m excited about that.
This is my last question for you. I actually asked you this a few years back when I interviewed you then. Alright, so we all know that celebrity is an illusion. People, whether it be fans, labels, management, PR, etc.—they have expectations of who you are or who you should be. There’s a veil, sometimes purposeful, that keeps the public from connecting because they often get caught up in the illusion of the entertainment industry. So, what is something about you—the heart of who you are, not as the artist Rapsody, but as a person—that doesn’t always translate to the world because that illusion shadows it?
Wow, that’s an amazing question! We were talking about this earlier. And that’s been a big growth point for me, these last three years, is taking off the veil. I think the biggest misconception for people with me is that I’m not perfect. I’m just as human as you are. I tell people I always want to show up as a representation or reflection that we are one and the same. I see myself in everybody, and I hope they see themselves in me. And that’s what—yeah, just connecting with people on a human level.
I don’t want to be the artist that people want to be like or emulate. And I don’t want to be the one that they just look at as a sex symbol and want to have sex with. I want to be the girl next door, your home girl. And I think that might be the biggest disconnect for me. That, yo, I just want to be the home girl. You know, to let you know that it’s perfect to be imperfect. I have stretch marks, I have a mole, I have all these perfections, and there’s still beauty in that. We all look the same, you know, so that would be it for me.
This year marks the 39th anniversary of the movie Beat Street. Released in 1984, the film was one of the first to depict hip-hop culture on the big screen. It set the standard for films that would follow decades later, like You Got Served, the Step Up series, and more. Breakdancing, DJing, MCing, and graffiti art were all showcased in the movie. The film’s depiction of hip-hop culture helped spread it to global audiences.
Additionally, it features multiple appearances from popular hip-hop acts from its time, including Doug E. Fresh, DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Melle Mel and The Furious Five, and more. They shot the film on location in New York, with scenes even being shot in the subways. The movie was produced by Harry Belafonte and directed by Stan Lathan.
What Happens In Beat Street?
Beat Street is a movie that follows the lives of siblings Kenny and Lee and Kenny’s best friend, Ramon. Kenny, AKA Double K, is a DJ who also MCs, and Lee is a break dancer. Ramon is a graffiti artist. Kenny and Lee have a slight age gap, but Lee typically finds his way to events where his brother is DJing and dances to the music he provides.
Double K dreams of ascending in his DJ career, and his friend, Chollie, is always looking for places for Kenny to perform at. Kenny meets a woman named Tracy, who is from City College of New York. The two of them form a romance, and he learns their musical backgrounds are not so different after all.
Why Beat Street Is Important
The movie Beat Street was important because of its showcase of hip-hop culture. There were also multiple notable figures from the culture at the time in the film playing characters and themselves. Many of them had scenes dedicated to full performances from them, such as Us Girls, The Treacherous Three and Grandmaster Melle Mel, and The Furious Five. DJ Kool Herc plays himself in the movie, too.
The New York City Breakers and Rock Steady Crew also showcased their dance skills in scenes. For many people who were a part of this time in history, the movie holds a special place in their hearts. They remember dancing to the songs from the soundtrack or being inspired to start dancing by the movie itself.
The Impact Of Beat Street On The Culture
The movie Beat Street influenced hip-hop culture decades after it was released. Other movies centered around hip-hop and culture soon followed. One of the most significant examples was how Public Enemy’s “Fight The Power” was written for Spike Lee’s film Do The Right Thing (1989). Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg wrote “Deep Cover” for Bill Duke’s film of the same name in 1992. Hustle and Flow (2005) was a film about a rapper from the South on the come up and the soundtrack featured several Southern rap artists from the time. Other culture-focused films like Roll Bounce (2005), ATL (2006), and more would follow, bringing dramatized versions of reality and culture to the big screen. Viewers who could relate to these stories praised and celebrated the movies. More directors and writers continued to bring stories like this to audiences all over.
Beat Street Exposed The Culture To The World
The movie Beat Street also accurately represented society outside of the music. In one scene, Lee and his crew have a dance battle with their rival crew in a subway. The police interrupt the battle because they view it as “fighting.” Lee and his crew end up in holding cells – they are all teenagers. In all of Beat Street’s party scenes, they showcased people of all cultural backgrounds. Hip-hop culture was something people of all backgrounds enjoyed. Beat Street helped introduce hip-hop culture to multiple audiences outside of New York – even those as far as Germany. The movie highlighted a piece of culture that was once regional and made it global.
In the heart of the Bronx, a revolutionary cultural movement was taking shape. 1977 marked the fifth year in the Hip Hop journey, a period teeming with creative strides and innovation. The stage was set, the players were in place, and the world was about to witness the birth of a genre that would forever alter the course of music history. As we countdown to Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary, we explore the significance of 1977 in the culture.
Towering figures of the Hip Hop scene began to emerge. Artists like DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa started making waves, with their innovative beats and rhymes becoming the sound of the Bronx. Herc’s technique of extending the breakbeat, a technique now known as ‘looping’, was a game changer. Bambaataa’s Zulu Nation, a collective of socially conscious rappers, dancers, and artists, was instrumental in spreading the hip-hop culture. Their work was more than music; it was a form of expression, a social commentary, and a tool for change.
Grand Wizzard Theodore, Chris Gilmore and Grandmaster Caz at the CBS Studios in New York, New York (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
The year 1977 witnessed another significant milestone in the evolution of Hip Hop: the birth of scratching. Grand Wizzard Theodore, a young DJ from the Bronx, stumbled upon this technique while experimenting with his turntable. The distinctive sound, a rhythmic manipulation of the vinyl, added a new layer of complexity to the Hip Hop sound, taking the genre into new territory.
In the late 70s, disco was king. However, Hip Hop was not in a silo; it was in dialogue with other musical genres, including disco. Artists began to sample disco tracks, incorporating the infectious grooves into their own beats. This fusion of styles marked another step in the evolution of Hip Hop, expanding its appeal and influence.
NEW YORK – APRIL 1: Graffiti artist Lee Quinones (L) poses for a portrait with Latino Hip Hop artists Latin Empire (Ricardo Rodriguez, center, and Anthony Boston, right) on April 1, 1989 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Catherine McGann/Getty Images)
The influence of Hip Hop extended beyond the realm of music. It became a lifestyle, a culture that permeated every corner of the Bronx and beyond. Street art, particularly graffiti, played a major role in this cultural shift. Artists like Lee Quinones started gaining recognition as his vibrant murals became a visual representation of the Hip Hop spirit.
As we look back on 1977, it’s clear that this was a pivotal year in the history of Hip Hop. It was a time of innovation, expansion, and exploration. Artists were pushing boundaries, experimenting with new sounds, and broadening the scope of what Hip Hop could be.
In retrospect, Hip Hop’s fifth year was a microcosm of the genre’s future trajectory. It was vibrant, diverse, and unapologetically bold. From its humble beginnings in the Bronx, Hip Hop had begun to assert itself as a force to be reckoned with, a cultural phenomenon that would continue to shape and be shaped by the world around it.
In celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, we honor the pioneers of 1977, those who dared to push the envelope and create something truly extraordinary. Their legacy continues to resonate today, influencing and inspiring a new generation of artists. As we countdown to the golden jubilee, let’s remember the year 1977: a milestone year in the unstoppable journey of Hip Hop.
Hip Hop was not born in a day. Like any artistic movement, it evolved over time, and 1976 marked a significant year in this evolution. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, it’s essential to pay homage to the fourth year of this influential genre.
The Emergence Of A Culture
African-American hip hop DJ Grand Wizzard Theodore (born Theodore Livingston, 1963), is widely credited as the inventor of the scratching technique. Vestax PDX-2000 turntable made of plastic and metal.The body of the turntable is made of silver plastic. The top left corner of the turntable has a black and silver power button. The top right corner has a black tonearm with a needle that slides from the right side of the top of the turntable to the platter at the center. The lower right corner of the top of the turntable has red and black type. Artist Vestax. (Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)
In the heart of the Bronx, Hip Hop was still an underground movement in 1976, barely known outside the city’s urban neighborhoods. However, the parties hosted by pioneers like Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash were gaining momentum. They were the pulse of the movement, their beats echoing through the streets and the hearts of the young audience. The seeds of a culture were being sown.
Grandmaster Caz, Kool DJ Herc and Tony Tone (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Kool Herc, the Jamaican-born DJ, was instrumental in shaping the Hip Hop landscape in 1976. His innovative technique of using two turntables to extend the breakbeat, or “the break,” marked a new era in the genre. This revolutionary method became the cornerstone of Hip Hop, laying the foundation for future artists to build upon.
Afrika Bambaataa: A Visionary Leader
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1980: Photo of Afrika Bambaataa (Photo by David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Afrika Bambaataa was another influential figure in 1976. He emerged as a visionary leader who believed in the power of Hip Hop to unite and uplift communities. His influence transcended music; he was a social force who saw Hip Hop as a means of conveying powerful messages and instigating social change.
UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 12: Photo of GRANDMASTER FLASH; Grandmaster Flash The Venue, London, UK 12-5-1982 (Photo by David Corio/Redferns)
Adding another layer to the rich tapestry of Hip Hop was Grandmaster Flash, a technological innovator. He introduced complex DJing techniques, including backspinning and punch phrasing, which further cemented the genre’s innovative spirit. 1976 was a year when the technological prowess of Hip Hop was beginning to shine.
Hip Hop’s Influence On Fashion
Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five in New York City in 1983. (Photo by Walter McBride/Corbis via Getty Images)
The year also saw the beginning of Hip Hop’s influence on fashion. The pioneers of Hip Hop were not just musicians; they were style icons who began to shape urban fashion trends. From oversized sunglasses and bucket hats to the graffiti-laden jackets, Hip Hop’s influence on fashion was starting to take root.
Looking back, 1976 was a pivotal year in the evolution of Hip Hop. It saw the emergence of innovative music techniques, the birth of breakdancing, and the beginning of Hip Hop’s influence on fashion. As we countdown to the 50th anniversary, let us celebrate the legacy of 1976, a year that undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping the genre that we know and love today.
1975 marked the third year into the countdown to Hip Hop’s birth. This era was a pivotal one, witnessing the transformation of this burgeoning art form. This year, much like a metaphorical chrysalis, Hip Hop began to develop its identity, while the world around it remained oblivious to its existence.
The Bronx, The Incubator of Hip Hop
NEW YORK – AUGUST 16: 1520 Sedgwick Avenue is recognized as official birthplace of Hip Hop on August 16, 2007 in Bronx Borough of New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
In the heart of the Bronx, Hip Hop found its home. The city’s youth, drawn to pulsating rhythms and powerful lyrics, began to shape a new cultural movement. While Hip Hop was still in its formative years, the seeds were sown in the minds of these young innovators. The Bronx’s vibrant energy and diverse mix of cultures proved to be the perfect incubator for this radical art form.
DJ Kool Herc during RZA and Old Dirty Perform Live at BB King at BB King Blues Club Grill in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Djamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImage)
One man stood at the forefront of this movement: DJ Kool Herc. He was a visionary, a man ahead of his time, who dared to challenge the status quo. Herc’s innovative “break-beat” technique, where he looped the percussion breaks of popular songs, became a hallmark of Hip Hop. His parties in the Bronx were legendary, drawing crowds of enthusiastic young people who were eager to embrace this fresh sound. Herc’s influence went beyond music, shaping the culture, fashion, and attitude that came to define Hip Hop.
The Birth Of Breakdancing
A breakdancer wearing a tracksuit, performs a windmill on a section of cardboard in an park, United States. circa 1980. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
1975 also saw the birth of breakdancing, an integral part of Hip Hop culture. Breakdancing, or ‘breaking,’ began as a street dance in the Bronx, performed by crews who competed against each other. The dance was a physical embodiment of the music. Its powerful moves and dynamic rhythms reflect the raw energy of Hip Hop. The dance form, much like the music, was an expression of rebellion, defiance, and the struggle for identity.
While mainstream America remained largely unaware, a cultural revolution was brewing in the streets of the Bronx. Hip Hop was a beacon of hope for the marginalized, a voice for the voiceless. It gave the youth a platform to express their frustrations, dreams, and aspirations. The year 1975 was a turning point, setting the stage for Hip Hop’s explosion onto the global stage.
Hip Hop 50th Anniversary: Looking Ahead
As we look back at 1975 in this Hip Hop 50th anniversary countdown, we see the early sparks of a movement that would change the world. Today, as we anticipate the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, we honor the pioneers and celebrate the resilience of a genre that continues to evolve, inspire, and challenge societal norms. The journey that began in 1975 is far from over, and Hip Hop continues to write its story, one beat at a time.
This year marked the third milestone in the countdown to Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. A year where the cultural revolution began in earnest, where the world started to hear the beats of a genre that would shape the next half-century. We look forward to celebrating the remaining years in this countdown, honoring the past and anticipating the exciting future of Hip Hop.
On August 11, 1973, in the heart of the Bronx, a new cultural movement was brewing. This was the day when the distinct elements of rapping, deejaying, and dancing started to coalesce into a unified art form that we now recognize as hip-hop. It emerged from a shared environment, where these art forms organically evolved, drawing energy from the bustling streets and vibrant communities.
The Genesis: DJ Kool Herc
DJ Kool Herc, looking through his records, DJing, Blackpool, UK 07.10.2000. (Photo by Henry Iddon/PYMCA/Avalon/Getty Images)
The first major hip-hop deejay, DJ Kool Herc, born as Clive Campbell, stands as the pioneering force behind this genre. An 18-year-old immigrant from Jamaica, he brought the powerful sound systems of his native country to the urban parties of New York. His innovative approach to music would forever change the world.
NEW YORK – JUNE 14: Hip-Hop musician DJ Kool Herc performs on the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Branch on June 14, 2008 Grand Army Plaza in New York. The concert is a part of “The Library Rocks” concert series. (Photo by Al Pereira/WireImage)
DJ Kool Herc used two turntables to create a continuous flow of music, a revolutionary concept at the time. He cleverly fused percussive fragments from older records with popular dance songs, creating an innovative musical tapestry. This method resulted in a rhythmic and energetic sound, captivating audiences and laying the foundation for the hip-hop genre.
The Evolution of Hip Hop Post-1973
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA FEBRUARY 5: 65th GRAMMY AWARDS An array of rappers perform a tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip hop at the 65th Grammy Awards, held at the Crytpo.com Arena on February 5, 2023. — (Photo by Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
DJ Kool Herc is widely credited for the genesis of hip-hop in 1973. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the countless artists who contributed to its evolution post-1973. These individuals, inspired by Herc’s innovative techniques, went on to experiment and diversify the genre. As a result, the genre developed into a multi-dimensional and globally recognized art form, resonating with diverse audiences around the world.
Rakim” class=”wp-image-686449″ srcset=”https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-954686610.jpg 1024w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-954686610-300×200.jpg 300w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-954686610-768×513.jpg 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” />American hip hop duo Eric B. (right) and Rakim walking across 14th Street in New York City, circa 1989. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
The creation of the genre in 1973 didn’t just mark the birth of a new musical genre; it symbolized a cultural revolution. It gave voice to the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of urban communities, providing a platform for expression and storytelling. Since its inception, hip-hop has continued to shape and reflect societal narratives, underscoring its significance beyond music.
Conclusion/TLDR
Reflecting on the birth of hip-hop in 1973, we pay homage to DJ Kool Herc and the vibrant Bronx community. Their groundbreaking contributions gave rise to a genre that has profoundly influenced popular culture. Even beyond that: fashion, language, and even politics over the decades.
As we celebrate hip-hop’s 50th anniversary this year, we recognize it not just as a genre, but as a cultural movement that continues to reverberate across generations and borders.
While the genre has undoubtedly evolved since 1973, its origins in the Bronx remain central to its identity. Hip-hop, at its core, remains a powerful expression of resilience, creativity, and community – a legacy that started with DJ Kool Herc on that transformative night in August 1973.
On August 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc, born Clive Campbell, threw the famous “back to school jam” block party on 1520 Sedgwick Ave. The Jamaican-American DJ was instrumental in the creation of hip-hop. However, it was actually Herc’s sister, Cindy Campbell, who had decided to throw the party. Initially, the goal was to raise funds to purchase new clothes for the upcoming school year. Even ahead of frat party antics, the entry charge was 50 cents for boys and a quarter for girls. Over 300 people would show up at Sedgwick Avenue. DJ Kool Herc would become a local celebrity overnight. Suddenly, the 18-year-old was viewed in a starkly different light throughout the Bronx borough.
However, DJ Kool’s life didn’t start in the bustling streets of the Bronx. Instead, he was the first-born son of Keith and Nettie Campbell in Kingston, Jamaica. At the time, the area was a melting pot of dance halls and DJs, a culture that rubbed off on him as a kid. Music was also being played throughout the household. He told RockTheBells, “In Jamaica, my father let me know about Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, and Bing Crosby. He could sing the entire White Christmas album word for word.” Growing up in a musically inclined family and environment, he would bring that influence when the Campbell family emigrated to New York in 1967.
DJ Kool Herc Influenced Other MCs
Kool DJ Herc during Launch of “Hip-Hop Won’t Stop: The Beat, The Rhymes, The Life” Collection Initiative for the Smithsonian Institution at Hilton New York in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Jemal Countess/WireImage)
A few years later, a teenage Clive Campbell was blasting James Brown’s “Sex Machine” while curating graffiti in the streets of The Bronx. A creative outcast, he joined the Ex-Vandals, a graffiti crew he ran with while riding his bike around town. Soon after that, he began to express his creative interests in a manner beyond the visual world. Blending the influences of The Bronx, Kingston, and his family, he began to build up his resume in the New York borough gradually. With sister Cindy acting as the marketer for the parties, it wouldn’t take long for DJ Kool Herc to begin garnering a sizeable audience. He told NPR, “I never gave a party to buy clothes, or buy some jewelry. I gave a party because people asked me to.”
As DJ Kool Herc continued to host block parties, he discovered his own sound around “the break” in the process. Without the luxury of headphones, he was highly observant of how his crowd would react to the music. A self-described servant of the audience, he curated the “Merry-Go-Round,” where the beat break was looped in a manner that became associated with the inklings of hip-hop. The earliest version of this was with “Bongo Rock” by The Incredible Bongo Band, with the looping record going on to be sampled by Nas on 2004’s “Thief’s Theme.” By the mid-1970s, DJ Kool Herc was a local legend, influencing the hip-hop careers of the likes of Grandmaster Flash, Sylvia Robinson, and Jam Master Jay. In essence, he dominated the early hip-hop scene in the 1970s.
He Still DJs Across The US And Europe
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 16: DJ Kool Herc attends The Source Magazine’s 360 Icons Awards Dinner at the Red Rooster on August 16, 2019 in Harlem, New York City. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
To this day, DJ Kool Herc travels worldwide hosting DJ sets. In fact, he’s better known in Europe in this day and age than he is in the United States. He would never go on to create his own hip-hop record, which he doesn’t regret. Regarding the sentiment that he founded hip-hop with NPR, he boldly exclaimed, “Nobody can take that from me.” By the late 1970s, DJ Kool had purposefully retreated from the music industry. Watching many of his contemporaries succeed, he consciously decided to withdraw. This occurred after being stabbed at the Executive Playhouse while trying to stop a fight. By 1980, he was working at a record store in the South Bronx.
Herc has also been through a fair bit of trials throughout his life. In the mid-1980s, his father passed away. The trauma of the experience took a severe toll on him, and Herc admitted he became addicted to cocaine at the time. However, he would eventually return to the DJ’ing world. In addition, he’s working on an ongoing campaign to prevent Sedgwick Avenue from being converted. Officials want It to become a business building from affordable housing. The location was later deemed “the birthplace of hip-hop.” Thankfully, the iconic site hasn’t been under threat since deemed so by New York state officials. In addition, DJ Kool Herc has expressed aspirations surrounding building a museum commemorating hip-hop within Jamaica. In essence, his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is well deserved.
Some of our favorite Hip Hop pioneers are going all out for the culture’s 50th anniversary. Nas’s company Mass Appeal has been instrumental in honoring the ongoing impact of Hip Hop throughout the year. They are hosting events highlighting the significant contributions of those that laid the foundation of what we know as Rap today. Another company that has long supported the culture and its artists is Sprite, and they’re back with another campaign. This time, they’ve called on the likes of some Rap heavyweights to celebrate, showcasing various generations of Hip Hop.
One of those artists is music legend Rakim, and this isn’t the first time he has partnered with Sprite. The 2015 “Obey Your Verse” campaign highlighted his unmatched lyricism, along with other standouts, including Missy Elliott, Drake, Tupac Shakur, and J. Cole. The following year, “The God Emcee” appeared in the “Obey Your Verse – Lyrical Collection” commercials, and now, he returns once again for the soda brand’s latest. This time, he even joins Nas, Latto, and GloRilla for an updated chopped-and-screwed version of Sugarhill Gang’s classic 1979 hit, “Rapper’s Delight.”
We were able to catch up with Rakim and spoke with him about the “dope campaign from Sprite,” as he put it. He told us that the company has been “supporting Hip Hop from Day One,” so it made sense for him to link with them again. “We’re celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop,” said the legendary emcee. “We all—it’s dope—we all spit bars from ‘Rapper’s Delight.’ You know, we kind of did it in our own way. Everybody kind of took a bar from ‘Rapper’s Delight.’ And it’s just showing the growth of Hip Hop from there to here.”
Music has surrounded Rakim since he was a child. His aunt, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ruth Brown, was a legend in her own right. She was instrumental in helping Atlantic Records become what it is today and even earned herself two Grammys. Although he’s been penning rhymes since before his age hit double digits, a teenage William Michael Griffin Jr. had football aspirations. However, after a chance meeting with DJ Eric B., their lives would be catapulted in a different direction.
The rapper would later change his stage moniker to “Rakim Allah” after joining the 5 Percent Nation, or The Nation of Gods and Earths. With Eric B., the pair of talents would go on to craft four monumental albums, from their 1987 mega-classic Paid in Full to their final as a duo, 1992’s Don’t Sweat The Technique. In those early days of Hip Hop, DJ-rapper duos were the norm, but no one paired as effortlessly as Eric B. and Rakim. The formidable emcee continued his solo career throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, culminating in 2009 with his final stand-alone record, The Seventh Seal.
Although he hasn’t given us a complete project in some time, Rakim hasn’t been down for the count. A select few have secured a verse or two within the last few years, further showing his ability to adapt to any generation. His mentorship with other artists and resounding impact on Hip Hop culture is also palpable. Across the Rap board, lyricists have cited Rakim as a cornerstone of inspiration. His wordplay, rhyme schemes, and ability to reflect his personal and political world perspective poetically have influenced celebrated artists that came after him. Unsurprisingly, the likes of Eminem, Tupac, Ghostface Killah, J. Cole, Jay-Z, and Kendrick Lamar have all cited the Rap legend as someone they’ve long admired.
That said, it’s clear that Rakim has been an active participant in and observer of Hip Hop for decades. Not many are afforded such a unique vantage point, so we wanted to know what the Hip Hop icon wants to see from the genre in the next five decades.
“I’m looking forward to…man,” he began. Then, there was a slight pause as he gathered his thoughts. “I think, with the 50th-year anniversary, I think it’s kind of taken a lid off of Hip Hop.” To him, it seems casting a vision for the future requires learning about the past. “It’s taken a limit off of Hip Hop, to be able to celebrate 50 years. What we’re actually doin’ is celebrating 50 years of emceeing and DJing and B-boying, you know what I mean? So, it’s like we were going back with knowing our history on these great artists.”
He isn’t wrong; many aspects of the foundation of Hip Hop have been edged out of conversations. While some still praise our favorite pop-and-lockers, breakdancing is an art form that is respected but no longer at the Hip Hop forefront. Although DJing is still massively popular, arguably, many of those popularized creatives are more focused on producing the next hit record than discovering new sonic elements on the ones and twos. The collective needs to sit in its history to understand what is to come for its future.
IRVINE, CA – JULY 18: Rapper Rakim performs onstage at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre on July 18, 2015 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
“We’ve started to realize that music is timeless. You know what I mean?” Rakim said. “You go back and listen to a song from the ’80s or the ’90s. And, you know, a lot of it’s timeless. It shouldn’t be a lid on Hip Hop.” Those artists from 20, 30, and even 40 years ago have aged with the culture. Yet, often, there are conversations about someone being “too old” to continue their Rap aspirations. However, Rakim wants it to be known that plenty of grown folk contenders with talents deserve recognition.
“There’s a lot of great artists that’s over 30, over 40,” the 55-year-old icon stated. According to some commentators, Hip Hop is a young person’s sport. “I think that we have a lot to bring to the table,” he continued. “With this going on [celebrating Hip Hop’s 50th], I think it’s going to open the doors for that.”
NEW YORK – 1987: Rappers Eric B & Rakim pose for a portrait session in 1987 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
These days, Rakim continues to tour worldwide, spitting familiar bars that have been ingrained in millions of memories for decades. Although Hip Hop has bolstered a reputation of being concerned about bling-bling and flashing cash, that is a far cry from Rakim’s daily routine. His dedication to his faith centers his focus, and according to him, he enjoys peace and the simple pleasures of life.
“I think normal things in life is what makes me feel good. I’m a family man,” he said. “I mean, I love being around my family. And I love doing things around my house. You know what I mean? Everything from putting floors and cutting grass, planting trees. You know, I do it all. But that’s kind of, you know, when I come home from off the road.” Touring and performing for four decades can take its toll. “That’s what kind of makes me feel normal to me. So, that’s what breaks the monotony for me. Being normal, being a family man, and doing regular things. I think that’s what keeps me grounded.”
Stay updated with us throughout the year as we continue to celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. We have many more exclusives from artists, ranging from the culture’s coveted pioneers to its talented newcomers.
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