People wanted to dance on August 11, 1973. A party was happening in the Bronx, part of New York City. DJ Kool Herc was running the music. He used two to keep the best beats going for longer. And that’s when hip hop was born!
Hip hop built on other . It had aspects of R&B, funk, soul, and disco. DJs in the Bronx experimented with songs at block parties. DJ Kool Herc knew that drum parts in songs got people dancing the most. So he created the “Merry-Go-Round” . DJ Kool Herc switched between two turntables to keep the drum break going. This nonstop sound is called a breakbeat.
Hip hop came to be known for its strong beats. Artists rapped over the music. The genre grew. In 1980, the Sugarhill Gang put out what may be the first hip-hop album. Their song “Rapper’s Delight” became popular. Some of the words summed up hip hop:
”Now what you hear is not a test: I’m rappin’ to the beat
And me, the groove, and my friends are gonna try to move your feet.”
Hip hop didn’t stop there. It gave the world many talented performers. Some top acts included Run-DMC, LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys, and Salt-N-Pepa. In 1989, Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff won the first rap Grammy award. And in 2023, Missy Elliott was the first female hip-hop artist added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Now, hip hop is 50 years old. And it’s still going strong. Some of the biggest stars include Lil Nas X, Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, and Jay-Z.
Artists celebrated hip hop’s birthday. There was a show called “Hip Hop 50 Live” at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Lil’ Kim, Nas, and Ice Cube were part of the show. One surprise guest was singer and rapper Lauryn Hill. She wore a bright pink outfit. Run-DMC closed out the concert. The group says that was its last live performance.
A rapper called Common hit the stage too. He shared a message about hip hop. “The and art means so much to me,” the artist said. “Happy birthday, and I love you, hip hop.”
Updated August 15, 2023, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Ashley Morgan
