-
Kool Herc started to hold block parties in his neighbourhood in the early 1970s. Hundreds of local kids and adults went to his parties. They enjoyed the music played by DJs such as Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash.
-
-
In 1973, Kool Herc's sister, Cindy Campbell, held a house party at 1520 Sedgewick Avenue. It is said to be the first hip hop party ever held. The party puts 1520 Sedgewick Avenue on the map as the birthplace of hip hop.
-
In 1979, the Sugarhill Gang releases their single "Rapper's Delight". It sold over 500,000 copies and was the first "Gold" selling record in hip hop. It was a big hit all over the world and people wanted more.
-
In 1984, Run-DMC from New York was the first hip hop act to receive a Grammy nomination. Their first album, "Run-D.M.C." went Gold, selling just over 650,000 copies. The album featured the track "It's like that".
-
In 1986, Run-DMC's "Raising Hell" album went three times"Platinum", selling over three million copies.
-
In 1986, the controversial hip hop group N.W.A. Emerged. The lyrics in their songs talked about gang culture and how badly police officers were treating young Hispanic men. There was also lots of swearing in their songs. Some radio shows banned their music.
-
In the late 1990s, hip hop artists such as Dr. Dre and Timbaland were becoming rich and successful as producers. they were in demand to create hit records and videos.
-
Run-DMC announced that they would retire in 2002.
-
today, hip hop is bigger than ever. Rappers can now promote and sell music on the internet without the backing of a record label. Some MCs (an artist who writes rhymes or poems and then raps them over a beat) have become very rich businessmen.