The early ’70s in America marked the birth of hip-hop, a genre that originated in the South Bronx, New York City. At the heart of this movement was DJ Kool Herc, who captivated audiences at his birthday party in an 18-story apartment building on Sedgwick Avenue. Herc commanded the turntables while MCs like Rock La Coke and Puccio Theodore shouted rhymes over his beats. Hip-hop quickly became an integral part of American history, serving as a rebellious and creative outlet against socioeconomic turmoil. It also became a grassroots method of community organizing and a joyful expression.
The Herc, considered the founding father of the genre, would become known as the origin of hip-hop on this momentous day in August 1973. For example, in 1968, Judge The Comes Here “Markham’s Pigmeat” party in the South Bronx boomed before long, and there is evidence that foundational elements of hip-hop emerged from that party.
In the burgeoning scene of the Bronx, the sound and local scene of “Down Boogie” began as a traced current to rap-day prophets Kendrick and Noname like Lamar can be. The hit single “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five’s fueled the rap reality and social commentary, paving the way for the piercing rap that has become the global hit. The rhymes of Sugarhill Gang’s feel-good party-starting invention have expanded the sound as a multi-genre, influencing every facet of pop culture, society, and every genre of music over the past five decades. Today, Hip-hop is an unapologetically powerful force that has evolved into a global movement influencing every aspect of world culture.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we are paying tribute to the futurists, originators, and pioneers who have shaped hip-hop culture by pushing the artistic boundaries of rap over the past five decades. GRAMMY.Com is honoring some of the most impactful creators and producers in the genre’s inaugural list of 50 artists who have changed rap.
Instead of serving as a voting-based compilation of the top-selling artists in hip-hop or ranking the “best” rappers, this list is meant to serve as a survey of some of the most impactful and influential artists who have shaped hip-hop and rap music over the past 50 years.
Our industry panel invited established music veterans, published music historians, and cultural music journalists to collectively submit hundreds of suggestions from which a final list comprising the below-ranked artists was selected. These artists were chosen based on a wide yet loose range of indicators that reflect their influential and classic albums, long-lasting career, artistic and creative impact, and evolution. This list of 50 influential artists was compiled by the GRAMMY to help celebrate their contributions.
Of course, no one list could ever contain the whole of hip-hop and its ever-expansive reach. Nor could any list of influential rappers be whittled down to a mere 50. That feat is impossible. Rather, this list stands as a love letter to some of the culture’s defining moments and impactful voices that have helped create a global movement, inspiring and igniting future generations of walks in life.
And there are countless individuals who will continue to carry the culture for more than 50 years. There are countless individuals who have brought us this far, pushing the boundaries of music with their ingenious minds. Despite being the youngest genre, it has become the biggest in the world. Once thought of as a passing fad, it is now important to acknowledge all the people and accomplishments in hip-hop as we approach its 50th anniversary, says Len Brown, the Genre Manager for Recording Academy and Senior Project Manager for Rap, Reggae, and Awards.
In honor of 50 years of hip-hop, we present to you this jump-off list to celebrate its glory. Today, we continue to witness the emergence of new rap voices and the leading role of today’s lights, while its future is still being written. The history of hip-hop is deep and rich, and there is so much more to be said about our beloved hip-hop culture.
Explore the curated playlist by Clark, Kevin L., A tastemaker hip-hop artist and longtime contributor to GRAMMY.Com, featuring 50 artists who changed the rap music scene. This exclusive list showcases music from Pandora, Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music, with each artist being featured.
All year long, make sure to check out GRAMMY.Com for additional exclusive content on the 50 Years of Hip-Hop. Over the years, explore our Rap genre page to delve into some of the most unforgettable moments in GRAMMY history related to rap and for more exclusive content.
– Kevin L. Clark & John Ochoa.
2 Live Crew
The group soon ran afoul of authorities who deemed their albums legally obscene, becoming the first act to release sound recordings declared obscene. They were a pioneering quartet in the rap scene of Miami, introducing a bottom-heavy bass sound influenced by stripper-incorporating stage performers in a comical and sexually explicit context, creating a party-frat climate. Their 1986 single “Throw the D.” Along with albums like (1988) Somethin’ Move and (1986) Are We What Is Crew Live 2 showcased the ribald and explicit nature of their music, introducing risqué and titillating elements to the culture of hip-hop. They owe a sizeable debt to artists like Thee Megan Stallion and Cardi B’s “WAP” and Nicki Minaj’s hits for their artistry.
The defending group, Crew Live 2, arose as the unlikeliest champions of freedom of speech, protecting and advocating for artistic freedom, including major artists like David Bowie. Despite the graphic content of their music, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recognized the artistic value it held and ultimately acquitted the group of charges in 1990. In the early ’90s, the group faced trials for obscenity tied to their hit album “As Nasty As They Wanna Be,” which was ruled illegal and obscene to sell. Eventually, the group fought legal battles to release “clean” versions of their albums, making them the first act in music history to do so in favor of their freedom of speech.
The group, which was sued for copyright infringement for their parody of Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman,” ultimately established a case against Live Crew 2. The Supreme Court cleared their use of fair use and parody as a way to defend against copyright infringement.
Lewis, Miles Marshall is an artist who infuses his current body of work, the albums “Girls City” and “Plies,” with a hip-hop expression of sexual freedom. This allows the Crew Live 2, Today to showcase a unique and liberating perspective.