This story was updated on August 20 to include quotes from Chuck Strangers and Fly Anakin.
Videos by American Songwriter
Additional reporting by Jake Uitti
Tomorrow, Aug. 11, the hip-hop world will celebrate 50 years of rap music, five decades removed from DJ Kool Herc’s 1973 “Back To School Jam” in the South Bronx that helped to christen the genre. Birthed in New York and eventually touching all corners of the globe, hip-hop’s beginnings saw it battle through adversity and naysayers. Now, it has become one of the pillar genres in mainstream music for the last few decades, creating world-renowned superstars that have played on some of the grandest stages on the planet.
In celebration of this, we got in touch with 22 artists from various sub-genres, eras, and backgrounds in hip-hop, asking them the simple question: “What are your thoughts on this year being the genre’s 50th birthday?”
Here are their responses:
Eshu Tune (Hannibal Buress)
“It’s dope to see, as far as hip-hop’s 50th, it’s dope to see that it’s aging well. Folks are aging well. The pioneers and legends are able to do some really dope shit right now. Folks are touring—Nas and Wu-Tang are touring, doing big venues while in their late 40s and 50s. That’s cool to see. Everyone says ‘Oh, hip-hop is a young man’s game.’ But nah, man, it’s just about [whether] the music is good, if the music connects.”
Nicki Nicole
“When I heard Hip-hop for the first time, I knew it was going to have a significant impact on my life. Listening to artists like Tupac, Biggie, and Mary J. Blige truly inspired me, and today their music helps me perfect my craft as an artist.”
Masta Ace
“I believe there were similar parties around NYC that predate that August 11, 1973 jam at Sedgwick Ave in the Bronx, but the fact that party was documented by key figures of that time and we have seen the hand-drawn flyer for it, we now have a date we can use to commemorate this culture going forward. There are many American holidays we celebrate on dates that are only approximated or in some cases completely inaccurate. We need to collectively embrace Hip-hop’s Birth date and not turn it into a point of contention. Let’s enjoy the fact that we created a genre of music that has lasted half a century and will continue on long after we are all gone!”
Tierra Whack
“Hip-hop and I share the same birthday! I found that out when I was 15 years old. It’s incredible to see how this culture has impacted the world! Everyone wants to live the hip-hop way whether they realize it or not! Hip-hop is immortal! I am Hip-Hop!”
Grandson
“Hip-hop has touched the lives of every single music fan, whether they know it or not. The breathtaking storytelling, the resurrection of our parents’ music through sampling, the legend of the underdog, the flex from the top, the inevitable fall from grace, the man in the arena, the hyper localization of style and sound, the embracing of the new school. No genre embraces newcomers faster, reinvents itself more regularly, or gives you heroes and villains to lose yourself in than hip-hop. Shit must’ve been boring as fuck before that!!!”
Earl On The Beat (Producer)
“Hip-hop is just so second nature. I don’t even know when I was introduced to it. It’s just life. I appreciate it because it is something that I’ve been listening to forever. It’s a way of life at this point. I appreciate the influence and the culture, even though there’s a lot of hell that comes with this rap shit, there’s a lot of good things that come with it too.”
Steelo Brim
“Hip-hop just embodies so much power in our voice, and when I say ‘our’ I’m specifically speaking about the black community. For me growing up, hip-hop allowed me to see other people and aspire to achieve things beyond music and beyond hip-hop. It’s bigger than itself. Hip-hop has power.”
Statik Selektah (Producer)
“Hip-hop was there for me through so many points in my life growing up. So when people say it saved their life I understand. It saved mine too many times. It’s brought people all over the world together like nothing else has. Very thankful on its 50th bday.”
Lola Brooke
“It’s important for everyone to know how the culture of hip-hop has evolved into a movement that impacts so many people all over the world. This being the 50th anniversary of hip-hop feels special as someone who’s a fan of the genre and as an artist who’s impacting the next 50 years. Being from New York, the birthplace of hip-hop feels extra special too. We’re all coming together to celebrate and highlight the rich history of hip-hop and all the pioneers involved. This year is the kick-off, I want to make sure that this continues after the year is done because there’s going to be more wins and history to talk about.”
Lute
“Being a creative and artist myself, I can only imagine how the originators feel. I’m sure at the time it was all about everyone having fun, being creative, and expressing themselves. Now, after half a century, it’s influenced the world and birthed legends. When I was younger, I used to think hip-hop was always around; but now that I am 34, it’s beautiful to know that it’s still young, constantly evolving, and here to stay.”
Slug (of Atmosphere)
“Let’s center myself for a moment, yeah? I’m not much of a birthday person. I only celebrate to see children smile and to appease social norms. But I am happy to see so many people excited about the 50-year anniversary of hip-hop culture. 50 years of listening to the voices of people who were meant to be kept voiceless. 50 years of paint and creativity on the side of trains and industrial warehouses. 50 years of dancing and laughing and dressing to impress and enjoying your friends and celebrating that joy. 50 years of scaring old people and challenging the status quo. Happy 50th Birthday and cheers to another 450 years. Wake me from the dead when it turns 500.”
Brother Ali
“Hip-hop’s first truly great songwriter, Grandmaster Caz said, ‘Hip Hop might not have invented anything, but it reinvented everything.'”
Lady London
“Hip-hop has long been at the forefront of music, even as a newcomer. At only 50 years old, it’s maintained its place as the highest-streamed genre and I’m just really proud to be a part of this culture. Excited to see where the next 50 years take us; happy birthday to my first love, Hip Hop.”
Sol
“When I think about 50 years of hip-hop, I think of the ingenuity that seems to be inherent in the culture. Over the years any attempt to truly box in this ‘genre’ of music has become instantly outdated because hip-hop music is constantly expanding. Innovation really is a core element. It’s in the name—’Hip’ hop. This is why hip-hop is forever.“
Ocean x KungFu
“Wow!!! Hip-hop is celebrating its 50th anniversary!!! We’re so excited to celebrate the Genre of hip-hop/rap music 50 years in! Hip-hop music has had such a positive impact on our lives! We have the utmost respect for the creators and contributors of this Genre and can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next 50 years.”
Gifted Gab
“One of (if not the first) CDs I ever bought with my own money was Ludacris ‘Word of Mouf.’ That album changed my life. Might’ve been the catalyst to all this shit. Shouts out to Luda. I’m honored to be a student of the game and to be respected by some of the greats. Only Hip-hop could do that! So HBD and Thank you!”
McKinley Dixon
“I really enjoy hip hop’s ability to be accessible. Being able to create from wherever you are leads to more stories being heard and more people being able to tell them.”
Jarv Dee
“When I think of hip-hop being 50 years old, it feels like our genre is still young but has been through so many changes and has branches of many sub-genres. Now you have conscious rap, trap, etc. Good or bad the growth has been incredible. We all debate about what’s real hip-hop and what’s not but as long as artists are willing to push the line and be creative, hip-hop will still be a top genre.”
Xperience
“The day hip-hop was born, we were born. The motherless, the fatherless got taken in. We weren’t alone anymore. Long live our love, hiphop!”
SAXG
“Hip-Hop. The most precious art form of them all. From the African drum to the turntable. It seems you will always have a wonderful poem to share with us. Full of heroes and heroines, bandits with kind hearts, and scoundrels to dodge. You have always been here and will remain here until time immemorial. Thank you and Happy Birthday.”
Chuck Strangers
“Personally I think it’s amazing hip hop has lasted 50 years through all the struggle pain and triumph it’s preserved and all though it’s looked and sounded many ways i wouldn’t change a thing about it’s progression”
Fly Anakin
“I think hip-hop turning 50 this year shows how strong my culture really is in the grand scheme of things. To create something out of nothing and set a trend that allows people of any walk of life to release frustrations in a colorful way while providing for their families; it’s a special thing.”
Photo by Mara Tröeger / Courtesy The Bloom Effect
