Published 26th January 2023

For DJ Kool Herc, 11 August 1973 was a day like any other. However, little did he know that when he dropped his latest break for the unsuspecting crowd at his sister’s Bronx party, he would change the world forever – hip-hop was born and Herc was its founding father. 

Since then, this musical and cultural phenomenon has evolved, innovated and reinvented itself, while at the same time shaping and influencing society and popular culture like nothing before or since.

In the following pages, as hip-hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, we look at rap’s rise from musical underdog to top dog, charting its journey from back in the day to the present day. 

Explore its early years as it found its identity and the artists who first introduced this brave new sound to the world – from LL Cool J to Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys. Discover the rap renaissance period of the ‘golden age’ and the era’s groundbreaking and diverse styles and artists, from the gangsta rap of N.W.A and the politics of Public Enemy to the playful wordplay of A Tribe Called Quest and the raw sounds of the Wu-Tang Clan.

We also tell the stories of Southern rap, the Bling years, rap’s new generation and more, as well as exploring hip-hop’s incredible legacy and cultural impact. So whatever your preference and whether you were here from the start or you’re new to the game, there’s something for old and young heads alike.

We’ve also created a Spotify playlist of more than 200 essential tracks inspired by or featured in each article. Check it out at https://bit.ly/thestoryofhiphop

Enjoy!