Hip-Hop History

By jacobgarcia1219

  • The Last Poets Debut

    The collective of political spoken word poets and musicians known as The Last Poets release their debut album. Their combination of jazz instrumentals and politically sparked spoken word poetry would become a massive inspiration for later hip-hop artists.

  • DJ Kool Herc's and Afrika Bambaataa's origin

    Deejaying his first ever block party, the father of hip-hop music and culture began implementing his revolutionary technique of stretching the drum break on records. In this same year Kevin Donovan, also known as Afrikaa Bambaataa would begin the Zulu Nation, marking the origin of one of the most influential groups in hip-hop.

  • Grandmaster Flash and Grandmaster Caz's origin/ The Culture is Named "Hip-Hop"

    After the rise of DJ Kool Herc, two of hip-hop's first popular artists, Grandmaster Flash, Grandmaster Caz,and Afrika Bambaataa, begin to make a name for themselves by deejaying parties in the Bronx. The burgeoning culture spearheaded by Herc and these young DJs is named "hip-hop" by MC Lovebug Starsky.

  • The Scratch is Born

    DJ Grandwizard accidentally creates the iconic record scratch, as a result of holding a spinning record in place so he could hear his mother speak.

  • The Rock Steady Crew

    Breakdancers and hip-hop culture are given icons in the legendary Rock Steady Crew, a collective of "b-boys" who help bring attention to the art through their immense talent. Hip-hop at this time is also spreading rapidly throughout New York City

  • Rapper's delight, Record Label Breakthrough and The Furious Five

    Rap group The Sugar Hill Gang rocket hip-hop into the mainstream, as their hit song "Rapper's Delight" hits #39 on the Billboard charts, becoming the first ever rap hit. At this time Kurtis Blow becomes the first rapper to ever sign a record deal, and Grandmaster Flash forms his legendary group, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five

  • The Breaks

    With the release of his album "The Breaks", Kurtis Blow sends rap music on a rapid commercial boom, selling 1 million copies. At this time, b-boy culture began to intermingle with the white club scene, sewing the seeds for hip-hop's eventual white middle-class rise

  • Birth of the Beastie Boys

    The first popular white rappers, The Beastie Boys begin what would become an incredibly fruitful career. At this time hip-hop begins to reach national audiences, as more television programs begin to turn their attention to the genre

  • The Message, Wildstyle and Battle Rap

    Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five release one of the first politically conscious hip-hop tracks "The Message", making way for more politically charged rap. The film "Wildstyle" is created, highlighting graffiti, rap music, deejaying, and breakdancing, furthering the masses exposure to hip-hop. Battle rap also becomes part of the culture at this time, as Kool Moe Dee eviscerates Busy Bee in a rap battle.

  • Ice-T and Run DMC

    With the release of "Body Rock/Killers" Ice-T begins West Coast gangsta rap, furthering its genesis through songs such as "Cold Winter Madness". Run DMC start their careers by releasing "Sucka Mc's/It Be Like That" to moderate success, signalling rap's new flirtation with rock music.

  • Def Jam

    Perhaps the most legendary and influential record label in hip-hop history, Def Jam, is established by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin. U.T.F.O's "Roxanne Roxanne" incites the hip-hop community to create many responses, most notably "Roxanne's Revenge" by Roxanne Shante, one of the first popular tracks recorded by a female MC

  • Dougie Fresh's arrival

    Dougie Fresh's debut album "The Original Human Beatbox" is released, and is commercially successful

  • Walk This Way, Licensed to Ill and Rakim

    With the release of their cover of "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith, Run DMC not only achieves unprecedented success, but furthers hip-hop's reach into white suburbs. The Beastie Boys debut album "Licensed to Ill" is released to critical and commercial acclaim, cementing them as a force in 1980s hip-hop, and giving white suburban rap fans their poster children. The rise of Eric B. and Rakim began a movement towards more lyrical hip-hop with a large emphasis on word play.

  • Public Enemy

    The fathers of overtly politically charged hip-hop, rap group Public Enemy releases their debut album "Yo! Bum Rush the Show", to widespread critical and commercial success, receiving a Grammy nomination, and helping to bring about a wave of politically conscious hip-hop.

  • N.W.A and Yo! MTV Raps

    Within this highly eventful year, The West Coast gangsta rap group from Compton, California, N.W.A, released "Straight Outta Compton", which not only went gold but also marked a newfound popularity for the gangsta rap genre. Their highly controversial single "Fuck Tha Police" sparked discussion about not only gangsta rap, but police brutality as the group cemented their influence. At the same time, hip-hop's national audience grew as MTV would add a rap section "Yo! MTV Raps".

  • MC Lyte, the Native Tongues Movement, and KRS-One

    Continuing in 1988, female rapper MC Lyte drops her debut album "Lyte as a Rock" to mainstream success, making her one of the first female artists to sign to a major record label. Legendary conscious rapper KRS-One's Boogie Down Productions partner Scott La Rock is shot, leading him to vow to continue creating socially conscious hip-hop, lighting a fire for his career. Finally, Afrika Bambaataa creates The Native Tongues Posse in an attempt to promote afro-centric and socially conscious hip-hop.

  • A Tribe Called Quest, the Grammys, De La Soul, and MC Hammer

    Legendary rap groups A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul release their debut albums, " People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" and "3 Feet High and Rising" respectively, as a part of The Native Tongues Posse. It is also in this year that the Grammys finally release a hip-hop category. Commercial rapper MC Hammer releases his debut, and despite being blasted by critics, becomes incredibly marketable and commercially successful.

  • 2 Live Crew and The Fresh Prince

    Miami based rap group 2 Live Crew releases their debut album "As Nasty as They Wanna Be" to high controversy. The album is banned in Florida and leads to members of the group being arrested for lewdness charges, sparking a debate over what is allowed to be said in hip-hop and the nature of free speech. Sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" is released, with Will Smith as the star, bringing hip-hop further into the mainstream.

  • "Ni**as For Life", Rodney King, and "2Pacalypse Now"

    N.W.A returns with their second album, "Ni**as For Life", paving the way for the gangsta rap genre and selling more the 900 thousand copies, once again to great protest and controversy. At this time a young black man named Rodney King is brutally beaten by police, not only aiding N.W.A's message, but thrusting hip-hop into the spotlight as the voice of the black community. Legendary rapper 2Pac releases his debut to middling commercial success but positive reviews and political controversy.

  • Snoop Doggs's origin and The Golden Age of Political Rap

    N.W.A member Doctor Dre and label member of Death Row Records, Suge Knight, sign West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg. At this time politically conscious hip-hop is in a golden age, as groups such as Tribe, De La Soul, Wu Tang Clan, and Public Enemy continue making critically acclaimed music

  • Wu Tang Clan, The Chronic, and Salt-N-Peppa

    New York rap collective Wu Tang Clan releases their debut album "Enter the Wu Tang" blending impressive lyricism with Kung Fu movie influences. This would mark the beginning of a legendary career. Dr. Dre's album "The Chronic" would go multi-platinum as West Coast hip-hop would start to overshadow East Coast hip-hop. Female rappers Salt-N-Peppa release "Very Necessary", creating one of the best selling hip-hop records by a female artist of all time.

  • Ready to Die, Illmatic, Common, and The Coastal Hip-Hop Beef

    New York rapper Biggie Smalls releases his debut album "Ready to Die" to widespread critical and commercial acclaim. New York rapper Nas also releases his legendary debut "Illmatic" helping Smalls to cement New York's influence. Rapper Common releases his album "Resurrection" containing some of the most intelligent and conscious lyrics from the era. The Coastal Hip-Hop beef truly begins as Tupac is robbed and shot, and Suge Knight calls out P. Diddy at the Source Awards.

  • Tupac Signs With Death Row, U.N.I.T.Y, and The Death of Eazy-E

    After posting his bail, Suge Knight convinces a now vengeful Tupac to sign with Death Row Records, bringing the Coastal Hip-Hop Beef to a new height. At this time Queen Latifah released her single U.N.I.T.Y, winning her a grammy. On a somber note, one of the most famous members of N.W.A, Eazy-E, passed away from complications due to AIDS

  • The Death of Tupac, The Fugees, and Reasonable Doubt

    On September 13, 1996, hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur would succumb to his injuries sustained in a drive-by shooting. The Coastal Hip-Hop Beef would claim one of its most notable victims, and would leave the West Coast without their icon. During this time the Fugees released their album "The Score", winning two grammys and helping bolster conscious rap. Jay-Z kick-started a legendary rap career, releasing his album "Reasonable Doubt" giving East Coast rap another strong showing.

  • Biggie Smalls' Death and Missy Elliot's Rise

    The East Coast lost its leader on March 9th, 1997, murdered in a drive-by shooting similar to Tupac's. His album "Life After Death" released posthumously became one of the best selling rap albums of all time. During this time Missy Elliot began her climb to becoming the best selling female MC of all time, releasing her debut "Supa Dupa Fly", breaking barriers for female MCs

  • The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Eminem and Hard Knock Life

    The barrier breaking for female MCs continues as Lauryn Hill releases one of the greatest rap albums of all time, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill", netting her five Grammys. Detroit rapper Eminem is signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records, beginning an unprecedented career. Jay-Z also broke through into the mainstream with his song "Hard Knock Life" at this time.

  • The Slim Shady LP and 2001

    Eminem breaks into the mainstream consciousness with "The Slim Shady LP", with its controversial lyrics, masterful lyricism, and manic energy, the young rapper would leave behind a wave of angered politicians and massive album sales. Dr. Dre also releases critically acclaimed album "2001" cementing Aftermath's influence and Dre's own legacy

  • The Marshall Mathers LP and The Napster Lawsuit

    Eminem becomes hip-hop's biggest star, as his album "The Marshall Mathers LP" sells almost 2 million copies, and sparks large amounts of controversy for its homophobic and misogynistic lyrics. Early music streaming faces its first challenge, as Dr. Dre sues MP3 platform Napster.

  • Jay-Z vs. Nas

    The two new kings of New York fight for the throne, as Nas and Jay-Z continue to take shots at each other, culminating in the release of what is regarded as one of the most vicious diss tracks of all time, "Ether".

  • Rap Marketing, Crunk, and 50 Cent's arrival

    Hip-Hop's consumerism and business acumen comes full circle as artists such as Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg begin to market for companies such as Nike and Reebok. Crunk begins its rise as the south becomes a hub for rap talent. 50 Cent releases his album "Get Rich or Die Tryin" ushering a new era of Gangsta Rap.

  • ODB dies and "The College Dropout"

    At the age of 36, Wu-Tang member Ol' Dirty Bastard passes away. Kanye West begins one of the most influential careers in hip-hop, with his soulful and brilliant debut "The College Dropout" releasing to rave reviews.

  • Late Registration

    Kanye West establishes himself as one of the bright young stars in hip-hop, with his soulful sophomore album "Late Registration", spawning multiple hits.

  • Hip-Hop is Dead, the Oscars, and Lupe Fiasco's rise

    Nas releases his album "Hip-Hop is Dead", bringing up conversations about the state of the genre. Three 6 Mafia's song "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp" wins an Academy award and is performed at the Oscars, becoming the first rap performance in Oscar history. Young Chicago MC Lupe Fiasco releases his debut "Food and Liquor" to Universal acclaim, becoming one of the first rappers to use his internet popularity and parlay it into a successful career, breathing life into conscious rap.

  • Obama's Election

    Motivating the rap community, Barack Obama receives widespread support from the hip-hop community as the first ever black president is elected.

  • Man on The Moon and Relapse

    Cleveland rapper and Kanye West disciple Kid Cudi releases his debut "Man on The Moon Vol.1", launching a new wave of emotional rap. Eminem breaks his semi-retirement by releasing relapse.

  • Kendrick Lamar's and J. Cole's arrival, Drake's Rise

    Ushering a new era of socially conscious hip-hop, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole release their groundbreaking debuts ,"Section 80" and "Cole World" respectively, to positive reviews. Drake experiences a meteoric mainstream rise with his savvy rhymes and emotional lyrics with his album "Take Care".

  • Good Kid M.A.A.D City

    Kendrick Lamar cements his place among the pantheon of greats with his critically acclaimed album "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" . Under Dr. Dre's tutelage, this album marked socially conscious rap's true comeback.

  • Chance the Rapper and Independent music

    Releasing his sophomore mixtape "Acid Rap" through the popular streaming app Soundcloud, Chance the Rapper experiences both critical and commercial success, all while releasing his music for free. Chance's independence paves the way for other rappers to utilize the site, and emphasizes the ability for rappers to thrive without a label

  • Forest Hills Drive

    J.Cole continues the wave of socially conscious hip-hop with his album "Forest Hills Drive", putting him and Kendrick as two of the era's top artists

  • To Pimp A Butterfly

    The culmination of rap's conscious, Kendrick Lamar released his magnum opus "To Pimp A Butterfly" widely hailed as one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever created. With its deep introspective and afro-centric lyrics, commercial capability and adventurous sound, the album was wildly successful.

  • Chance the Rapper Wins the Grammy, XXXTentacion and the rise of the Soundcloud Rapper

    An unprecedented achievement in the music industry, Chance the Rapper wins 2 Grammys for his free mixtape, "Coloring Book", cementing independent rap as a legitimate threat to the music establishment. The rise of popular and controversial rappers such as XXXTentacion and Lil Pump through the music streaming app Soundcloud open up a new era of the genre in which it is widely accessible, with "trap" being the dominant sound.

  • BROCKHAMPTON

    With its openly gay frontman Kevin Abstract, BROCKHAMPTON utilizes social media to rise to prominence and is one of the first rap groups who preached LGBT openness