A Hip Hop Music History Timeline

A look at the history of Hip Hop music and how it has evolved over the years.

Pre-1980: The Origins of Hip Hop

Pre-1980: The Origins of Hip Hop

1920s-1960s: The roots of hip hop are found in the African-American and Latino communities of New York City. Early pioneers include DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa.

1970s: Hip hop music begins to be commercially released on a larger scale, with hits like “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang and “The Breaks” by Kurtis Blow. Hip hop culture also begins to develop, with graffiti art and breakdancing becoming popular among young people in New York City.

1980s: Hip hop continues to grow in popularity, with artists like Run DMC, Public Enemy, and NWA emerging as major stars. Hip hop also begins to spread to other parts of the US and the world.

1980-1990: The Golden Age of Hip Hop

The Golden Age of Hip Hop is considered to be from about 1980-1990. This was the era when Hip Hop music first became widely known and popular, with artists such as Run DMC, Public Enemy, and NWA. Their music was often political and addressed social issues such as race relations and poverty. This was also the era when breakdancing became popular, with movies such as “Breakin'” and “Beat Street” showcasing this new style of dance.

1990-2000: The Decline of Hip Hop

In the early 1990s, the mainstream appeal of hip hop was on the wane. Gangsta rap, which had been immensely popular in the late 1980s, fell out of favor with the mainstream due to its Graphic Content. Political rap also failed to find a wide audience, and alternative styles such as jazz rap and hardcore hip hop were not as successful as their predecessors. However, several artists bucked the trend and found crossover success.

2000-2010: The Resurgence of Hip Hop

After a brief commercial downturn in the late 1990s, hip hop enjoyed a considerable resurgence in the early 2000s. In 2000, the top selling hip hop album was Dr. Dre’s Chronic 2001, which sold over three million copies in the United States. This was followed by Outkast’s Stankonia in 2001, Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP in 2000, and Nelly’s Country Grammar in 2000. All of these albums were certified at least triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The success of these albums coincided with a renewed interest in hip hop among mainstream audiences. In 2003, 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over eight million copies worldwide. This was followed by Jay-Z’s The Black Album, which sold over two million copies in the United States and was widely acclaimed by critics. Other successful releases from this period include Missy Elliott’s Under Construction (2002), Snoop Dogg’s Paid tha Cost to be da Boss (2002), and Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III (2008), which sold over one million copies in its first week of release.

The early 2000s also saw the rise of a new generation of talented Rappers such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Drake who would go on to have successful careers in the 2010s and beyond.

2010-present: The New Age of Hip Hop

The 2010s have seen a new age of hip hop music, with the rise of streaming services and social media platforms having a major impact on the genre. Artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, and J. Cole have been at the forefront of this new wave of hip hop, with their experimental and socially conscious sound.

The Evolution of Hip Hop Music

Hip hop music has evolved significantly since its inception in the late 1970s. The genre has been shaped by a number of factors, including the rise of musical sampledelia, the popularization of DJing and turntablism, and the influence of globally recognized artists.

Here is a brief timeline of some of the key moments in hip hop music history:

1970s: Hip hop music is born in the Bronx, New York. DJs begin to experiment with mixing different records together to create new sounds.

1980s: Hip hop music begins to gain mainstream popularity, with artists like Run-DMC and Beastie Boys achieving commercial success. Sampling becomes increasingly commonplace in hip hop productions.

1990s: Hip hop music continues to grow in popularity, with artists like Puff Daddy and Jay-Z achieving massive success. The genre becomes increasingly experimental, with artists beginning to incorporate elements from other styles of music.

2000s: Hip hop music reaches new levels of popularity, with artists like Eminem and Kanye West achieving global success. The genre continues to evolve, with a new wave of artists incorporating electronic and pop elements into their sound.

The Impact of Hip Hop on Pop Culture

The term “hip hop” is often used to describe both the music and the culture that surrounds it. Hip hop music originated in the 1970s in New York City, and is a style of music that is typically associated with rap and R&B. The culture of hip hop is often characterized by its street style, fashion, and language.

The impact of hip hop on pop culture is undeniable. Hip hop music has influenced a wide range of artists, from Madonna to Lady Gaga. The unique style of hip hop has also inspired fashion trends, art, and film. Hip hop culture has even been credited with helping to shape the identity of a generation.

The Business of Hip Hop

Since its humble beginnings in the early 1970s, hip hop has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. With its roots in street culture, hip hop first emerged as a way for African American and Latino youth to express their frustration with the social and economic conditions of their communities. Today, hip hop is one of the most popular music genres in the world, with artists selling millions of records and commanding huge fees for live performances.

While commercial success has brought wealth and fame to many hip hop artists, it has also brought criticism from those who feel that the music has become too materialistic and focused on violence and gang culture. Nonetheless, hip hop continues to evolve and influence popular culture, with new artists emerging every day who are eager to make their mark on the genre.

The Future of Hip Hop

The future of hip hop is hard to predict. It has always been an ever-changing genre, with new sub-genres and subcultures emerging all the time. One thing is for sure – hip hop will continue to evolve and grow in popularity all over the world.

The Globalization of Hip Hop

The globalization of hip hop has been a incredibly influential and powerful force in music and culture over the past few decades. Born in the Bronx in the 1970s, hip hop spread like wildfire throughout the US, before eventually being embraced by countries all over the world. Here is a brief timeline of how hip hop has taken over the planet:

1970s: Hip hop is born in the Bronx, New York City. DJs begin spinning records at block parties and music starts to evolve into what we now know as rap.

1980s: Hip hop begins to gain mainstream popularity in America thanks to artists like Run-DMC and Public Enemy. At the same time, it starts to spread to other countries like Japan, England, and France.

1990s: Hip hop takes over America with artists like Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. becoming household names. At the same time, it continues to grow internationally with groups like Deutschland such as Die Fantastischen Vier breaking into the scene.

2000s: Hip hop becomes one of the most popular genres in the world with artists like Eminem, Jay-Z, and Kanye West achieving global superstardom. At the same time, newer styles such as crunk and trap start to emerge from America’s southern states.

2010s: Hip hop continues to dominate the music industry with artists like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Cardi B topping charts all over the world. At the same time, newer subgenres such as SoundCloud rap start to emerge from America’s underground scene.