#HipHopIs50
Hip-hop has become an essential part of the musical landscape of American and global society. Narrating the inner-city experience, the genre was founded in the Bronx, New York City on August 11, 1973 by DJ Kool Herc at a basement party. The new genre incorporated rhymes, beats, and crisp production and quickly spread to the community. Ultimately, it spread around the world. On this 50th anniversary, it’s time to celebrate the many dreamers, achievers, innovators, and culture shifters who have contributed to the artform as we know it today. Those who had the courage to push the culture forward, tell their stories, and make noise across the globe. We’re celebrating the rappers, MCs, producers, DJs, and more who make hip-hop the juggernaut that it is. Today, hip-hop is music’s most popular genre. Over five decades, the genre has gone from vinyl records and radio to streaming and TikTok. Beyond music, hip-hop has expanded to include fashion, art, festivals, award shows, and even museums. While the formats for how we listen to hip-hop may have changed over time, the essence of the music remains in its storytelling. We’re celebrating the culture by asking the very ones whose lives hip-hop has impacted the most: the people. For many of us, it’s become the soundtrack to our lives.
So, what is hip-hop? Hip-hop gave a voice to the voiceless, a mic to those who’ve been silenced. It’s a soundtrack to the streets and neighborhoods that were often forgotten by society. Hip-hop championed the struggle while also confronting it. It questioned the system and it disrupted the status quo. Hip-hop speaks to the soul. Hip-hop speaks to the heart and the mind in a way that was unknown in the 1970s time. Hip-hop is self-expression. It’s art. It’s essential. Hip-Hop is raw, it’s real. It’s in yo’ face. It doesn’t give a damn. It’s about respect. It’s tough. It’s resilient. Others thought it wouldn’t last, but it’s still standing strong after five decades. It was futuristic and edgy, loud and poetic. Through the countless rhymes, cadences, and beats, it’s made a difference in the lives of many. Hip-hop has saved lives: its artists and listeners. It’s medicine to the sick and healing to the hurt. For some of us, it’s the only soundtrack we know. How many things can be said about hip-hop? Honestly, too many to name. There ain’t enough words to describe it.
What does hip-hop mean to you? Below, various people in the community speak on how hip-hop has touched their lives and how much it means to them.
DJ Kool Herc, known as the “Founder of Hip-Hop”
Hip-hop as a genre means a lot to me. It gets me hype when I'm low and it is the perfect music to listen to while I’m driving. Hip-hop is honestly some of the only music that will make me start dancing.
-Ernest Hankins, Harvest, AL
Hip-hop to me is the togetherness for a broken community. It is not only a cultural form of music but it transcends to all people. Hip-hop has changed drastically from what it used to be. However its purpose has not changed; to inspire and speak out with truth.
-Iman Hankins, Harvest, AL
50 years ago when Hip-Hop was born, who would’ve thought it’d be what it is today? Hip-Hop is fun, real, and unique. It’s fashion, it’s attitude, it’s worldwide. From house parties to global stages, hip-hop connects us to each other. Dear hip-hop, look what you’ve done for us. You spoke up for us. You raised generations of us. You gave us freedom and most importantly, connection. Happy Birthday Hip-Hop. We love you.
-Raena Amoor, Ypsilanti, MI
Hip-hop is an expression of art. Many individuals that participate in the culture come with their own unique style of wordplay that allows them to be accepted into an atmosphere where their talent reflects their life journey. It gives artists a purpose as they’re able to communicate their thoughts, perspectives and feelings on what makes them feel free. You combine that with instruments and the development of a voice and it’s presented to an audience that can relate to the stories being told. I love all stages of hip-hop, starting from the ‘80s to the ‘90s. Now with this next generation coming forward, this genre continues to evolve with novice individuals creating their own lane and adding to the history that is known as hip-hop.
-Cameron Eutsey, Ypsilanti, MI
The flyer of the first official party that birthed hip-hop. Photo courtesy of BBC
What is hip-hop? It’s brave, it’s poetic, it’s disruptive, at times disrespectful and irreverent, but always protesting and protective. Especially against authority that disrespects and disrupts the people. ‘Cause when they ask why we holler “I can’t breathe”, they suddenly get feeble. Hip-hop is for everybody big and small. It’s graffiti on the walls, for the ones who went from the ghettos to the town halls. Hip-hop is especially for the marginalized, often criminalized, even sometimes dehumanized. Hip-hop started local then grew national, now international. You can’t stop it, why would you even try to? Hip-hop spits big dreams, somethin’ to aspire to.
To me, hip-hop is an alternative method of expression to voice the pain we as black people have gone through for years. As a skateboarder in Detroit, I still listen to it anytime I feel the need for companionship when riding alone. The rappers are my friends, the words are our conversations, and the beats are a reminder that someone out there knows what it’s like to be me.
- Donovan Baxter, Oak Park, MI
Hip-hop was a way for me to connect with my community. It tells a story whether it’s about a struggle or a come up. You can learn so much about history, fashion, rivalries, etc. It has evolved so much over the last few years. I love that women are getting the respect they deserve as artists now. Artists like Little Simz, Flo Milli, and GloRilla stand out and provide a new flare. For me, hip-hop was a home that I could always go back to.
-Natalie Elliott, Detroit, MI
Hip-hop is like the beat of my life. It's a way for me to share my experiences and connect with others through music. Hip-hop is raw, and that's the way I try to express myself. In my truest and rawest form. In my opinion, with each verse, I bring people together and tell a story in a way that has more flavor and bounce than other genres.
-Jevon Alexander, Lake Mary, FL
It’s about the struggle. Hip-hop is many things but it is influential. The pioneers of the game told our stories by rapping about our struggles over a beat. And now, no matter your background, we all have something to relate to. For some, it connects us to Blackness. For others, it connects us to each other.
-J, Dallas, TX
Hip-Hop 50th Celebration at the 2023 Grammy Awards. Photo courtesy of Entertainment Weekly
It’s about empowerment…it connects us all. I first heard of hip-hop while watching BET back in Ghana. I was a fan then but it meant a lot more once I moved to Memphis. Hip-hop brings empowerment, it brings the truth to light, and it allows us to see each other.
- Eunice, Accra, Ghana
It bridges cultures. Coming from a Persian background, my Iranian father was always playing hip-hop in the home. The music wasn’t just relatable or gave me good memories. Hip-hop allowed me and my family to create cross-cultural connections. For my father, hip-hop was how he met his lifelong friend. For me, it was how I found my current boyfriend.
- Hanita, Toronto, ON
Dear Hip-Hop, 50 years looks good on you.
