Hip Hop turned 50 years old recently, and Stardom heavyweights like Run-DMC, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and Nas all took to the stage in Yankee Stadium to honor the genre’s half-century existence. But it wasn’t just the music that had crowds talking. Outside the stadium, old-school fans decked themselves out in Adidas tracksuits and Kangol hats as they bopped to the sounds of Tupac and Biz Markie. Breakdancing battles took place, and legend DJ Kool Herc made an appearance on stage to accept an award.
Hip Hop is more than just a music genre; it’s a Black cultural movement that grew out of the 1970s. During that time, New York City’s socio-economic environment was bleak, and residents had to get creative. With education, job training, and the arts losing funding, many turned to Hip Hop as an outlet. With DJing, emceeing, breakdancing, and graffiti art, the movement was a visual, auditory, and social experience that captivated the world.
Aug. 11, 1973, is recognized as the birth-date of Hip Hop. Kool Herc and his sister, Cindy Campbell, held a back-to-school party in the Bronx, and Kool Herc played James Brown’s “Sex Machine” on two turntables and using the “merry-go-round” technique. It was a night that would change music history, and Hip Hop would go on to influence our language, fashion, entertainment, pop culture, and even politics.
Thanks to the innovative techniques of Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash, Hip Hop evolved into a worldwide phenomenon. From the birth of the Zulu Nation to the art of scratching, these Godfathers of Hip Hop paved the way for DJs such as Funkmaster Flex, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Kid Capri, among others, to make their own mark on the culture.
While also paving the way for Dr. Dre, Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Eazy E among others rise to fame. To commemorate this milestone, a three-part documentary series by Big Boy TV titled “50 Years of Hip-Hop” was released on July 11, showcasing the evolution and impact of the genre. So break out your boombox and spin some vinyl, because the party never stops when it comes to hip-hop’s timeless beats.
Old-school Hip Hop fans may be middle-aged now, but it’s evident that they still know how to party like it’s 1973. The celebration that took place in Yankee Stadium this year was a reminder that, even after 50 years, Hip Hop still has the power to bring people together and evoke contagious energy. For those who witnessed that energy, the experience will be cherished for years to come.
