Celebrating Hip Hop’s 50th Year

The men and women who have shaped the world of music.

Hip Hop is 50 years old. Hip Hop has reached middle age! A genre that has changed the world. From its birth in the Bronx and Brooklyn to all across Africa, Asia, and Europe, Hip Hop has become daily life for billions of people. Hip Hop is global and it will always be associated with artistry, creativity, and revolution.

Hip Hop also known as Rap was born from all the genres of music created by Black people. From Gospel, Blues, Jazz, Soul, RnB, and RocknRoll, Hip Hop is a blend of all of those musical sounds. That’s what makes Hip Hop such a flexible form. You can create a Hip Hop beat from any other kind of music — even classical music.

In addition to music, Hip Hop culture influenced art, dance, fashion, and language. Hip Hop was on television with Will Smith’s “The Fresh Prince of Bel Aire” and Ice T and Ice Cube in movies and police shows. Hip Hop led to the creation of more award shows like the BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Soul Train Awards, and I Heart Music Awards.

Hip Hop artists became the new heroes for millions of Black and Brown children. The riffs and beats were repeated in classrooms in every major city in America. Clothing manufacturers began using Hip Hop beats and lyrics in ads on television. Nowadays just about every tv commercial has a Hip Hop beat. Hip Hop is everywhere and in everything.

When it comes to fashion, Hip Hop’s influence is evident from stores like Mad Rag and Rainbows to stores like Target, Kohl’s, and Walmart. Even high-end retailers, like Nordstrom’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, have included Hip-Hop-influenced apparel in their stores. Hip Hop is a moneymaker. No retailer wants to be left behind when it comes to Hip Hop fashion and style.

Since childhood, Hip Hop artists have always intrigued me. Their use of poetry and rhyme inspired my poetry career. From Fresh Prince, Run DMC, Public Enemy, Jay-Z, Nas, Dr. Dre, Kanye West (before the Kardashians), Snoop Dogg, Cardi B, Lil Kim, Kendrick Lamar, Queen Latifah, Drake, Nicki Minja, Lil’ Wayne, Megan Da Stallion to Sexy Red, and Ice Spice, all have hits that I play in heavy rotation.

I love Hip Hop. I’m a Hip Hop girl. Hip Hop is my generation. Hip Hop os art, creativity, poetry, and writing. Hip Hop is style, a look, a way people carry themselves on the street. Hip Hop is resistance. Hip Hop evolved from Black resistance. Hip Hop is revolutionary,. Hip Hop music is played in sports arenas, endorsed by athletes, and even listened to by presidents (Obama). Hip Hop is cool.

Hip Hop is in its 50th year. Fifty years of Hip Hop magic. Hip Hop has done so much in its existence. Hip Hop has changed minds and hearts. Hip Hop has mobilized and moved crowds. Hip Hop artists are revered for their lyrics and lifestyles. Hip Hop speaks to the people. Hip Hop continues to evolve. Hip Hop’s impact continues to shape the world.