THE CULTURE'S TIMELINE
From the Bronx blocks to global domination
EXPLORE BY ERA
1973
THE BIRTH OF HIP-HOP
DJ Kool Herc hosts the "Back to School Jam" in the Bronx - widely considered the birth of hip-hop
Bronx, NY
1979
"RAPPER'S DELIGHT"
The Sugarhill Gang releases the first commercially successful hip-hop single
Sugarhill Gang
1986
"RAISING HELL"
Run-DMC's collaboration with Aerosmith on "Walk This Way" breaks hip-hop into the mainstream
Run-DMC & Aerosmith
1993
"ENTER THE WU-TANG"
Wu-Tang Clan releases their debut album, changing the sound and business of hip-hop forever
Wu-Tang Clan
KEY MOMENTS IN HIP-HOP
1979
First Rap Radio Show
Mr. Magic hosts the first rap radio show
1984
Def Jam Founded
Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons start Def Jam
1988
Yo! MTV Raps
MTV launches its dedicated hip-hop show
1995
Source Awards
The infamous Source Awards stage collapse
2001
BET Awards
BET launches its annual awards show
2017
Hip-Hop Dominance
Hip-hop becomes the most consumed music genre
THE PIONEERS
DJ Kool Herc
Hip-Hop Pioneer
Grandmaster Flash
Hip-Hop Pioneer
Afrika Bambaataa
Hip-Hop Pioneer
Kurtis Blow
Hip-Hop Pioneer