Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: A Look Back at 4 Decades Of Dopeness Posted by Lucas Garrison on 08/12/13 | Filed under Opinion, Rap Nerdery

So it occurred to me yesterday, as I called my mom to wish her a happy birthday, that it was also hip-hop’s 40th birthday. In just 40 short years, hip-hop has grown from a underground party—literally underground...in basements—to a cultural staple, inspiring people in all parts of the globe. Rather than just talk about hip-hop’s humble beginnings, we thought it would be much more fun and interesting to map out the genres growth so we can all see how much the genre has grown in just four decades. To do so, we picked 3 songs from each decade that best represent hip-hop’s trends and growth.

Before we begin, I want to do a public service announcement. Please, for your sake and mine, keep in mind this is not, by any means, a “best of” list. There are literally thousands of songs worthy of mention, so, when narrowing it down to 3, it is literally impossible not to leave out some well deserving candidates. Rather than try to pick the 3 best songs, I went for the 3 songs that really map out hip-hop's growth and development by picking songs that, while not considered the “best”, are the epitome of a trend or best represent a certain characteristic of the era. It’s like a sampler platter of hip-hop for someone who doesn’t now anything about hip-hop.

For example, you will notice that Outkast is missing from the 90’s and 00’s. It is not because they aren’t great. If we were doing a best of, they would be near the top of my list, but their sound is so different and unique that they don’t really represent a certain quality of the decade. Again, I want to state, this is not a “best of” so before your you kick and scream and send death threats, keep an open mind and think broader, more general sounds and trends, rather than specific artists (although some need, and receive mention). Now onto the music:

1970’s

Sugar Hill Gang- “Rapper’s Delight”- 1979



While there is some debate as to whether or not this is the first hip-hop song recorded, it is no doubt the most legendary hip-hop song. Before the introduction of MCing, hip-hop was strictly DJs playing breaks and chops of songs at dance parties. While “Rapper’s Delight” has more lyricism, it encapsulates that party vibe with some fun-loving, materialistic lyrics. I always like to think of this song as a rapping, dance circle. Each emcee steps in (over a relatively unchanging beat) says their piece and hands the mic to someone else; “Rapper’s Delight” is truly party cut. The other thing that stands out about this cut is the materialistic, braggadocios lyrics. While flashy, materialism is often considered a product of the late 90’s and early 00’s, “Rapper’s Delight” shows that in its infancy, hip-hop was all about the luxury and the parties. This song epitomizes everything about hip-hop’s roots, from the funk influence to the “yes yes y’all”-type of MCing (keeping the party goers dancing) to the fun-loving, lavish lyrics, “Rapper’s Delight” has it all.

Fatback Band -“King Tim III (Personality Jock)”-1979



While, “Rapper’s Delight” is considered the first commercially viable hip-hop record, “King Tim III (Personality Jock)” might be the first hip-hop song ever recorded. The thing I find most interesting about this cut is the heavy disco influence. Originally, hip-hop was a sub-culture made for marginalized youth as a direct response to the mainstream culture, which in the 70’s music scene, was disco dominated. While, hip-hop might have been developed as a response to disco, songs like “King Tim III” have clear disco roots. Like “Rapper’s Delight” Fatback’s cut has one goal, keep the party going.

Kurtis Blow- “Christmas Rap”- 1979



While “The Breaks” is his most famous song, it was released in 1980 and there were too many other cuts to include, but this wouldn’t be a trip down memory lane if Kurtis wasn’t here. Kurtis Blow became the first commercially successful emcee; he was the first to sign with a major label (Mercury) and his first cut with the label, “Christmas Rap”, was a huge success. Granted, “The Breaks” was his biggest hit (it was the first rap song to go certified gold), but “Christmas Rap” paved the way for him. Kurtis, was also the first emcee to perform overseas; truly a pioneer.

1980’s

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - “The Message”- 1981



“The Message” is very much a traditional hip-hop song—it features the same type of shared mic funk/disco vibe—except the lyrics were down right revolutionary. Instead of another party-centered song, Flash and the Five’s legendary cut was really the first to have a social and political edge. The beat is still as danceable, but Grandmaster Flash and his crew’s lyrics have some real power to them. While this song was the first 80’s hip-hop song to have a political edge, it certainly wouldn’t be the last.

RUN D.M.C- “Walk This Way”-1986



In less than 10 years since its birth, hip-hop already had a growing audience and a strong, thriving underground community. It wasn’t until RUN D.M.C teamed up with Aerosmith, that the hip-hop community could be seen as commercially viable and radio-friendly. While hip-hop/rock crossovers aren’t too uncommon nowadays, back in the 80’s this was revolutionary. For one of the biggest rock bands around to team up with a hip-hop group was unheard of. If it weren’t for “Walk This Way”, who knows when, or how, hip-hop would have made the push to the radio/mainstream.

Public Enemy-“Fight The Power”-1989



1981’s “The Message” ushered in the new era of political hip-hop, but Public Enemy’s “Fight The Power” officially announced its arrival and showed that songs with meaning could sell, but that wasn’t even the most important aspect of the songs mystique. “Fight The Power” made for Spike Lee’s classic Do The Right Thing, became the anthem for black youth at a time when racial tension was at a fever pitch. Even the video, which is one big political rally, hammers home the fuck the man vibe; if this song doesn’t get your blood bubbling, I don’t know what will. You can feel the passion and power in the groups vocals, which make the song all the more legendary. The song, which is essentially a call to arms for black youth to fight the powers that be, might be politically barbed, but it still was commercially viable; a balance that the industry still struggles with today. For a song this political and controversial to reach critical acclaim is definitely a win for hip-hop.

1990’s

Snoop Dogg- “Gin and Juice”-1993



If you couldn’t tell already from the last 6 songs, hip-hop has some serious East Coast roots. It really wasn’t until the 90’s, which could be considered the best decade in hip-hop, that the West Coast began to take the spotlight. With artists like Dre, Snoop and of course Tupac, the West Coast had a distinct “Gangsta” sound. While there are plenty of cuts to chose from, Snoop’s “Gin & Juice” is definitely one of the best ambassadors for the 90’s West Coast sound. I mean it features a home alone reference; you can’t get any more 90’s than that. In addition to the swaying beat (a West Coast trait) the lyrics are reminiscent of 70’s hip-hop. Snoop blends a little bit of storytelling with some party oriented bars and out comes a party cut that, to this day, will get booties shaking and liquor flowing.

Notorious B.I.G- “Juicy”- 1994



While the West Coast had an emergence in the 90’s Biggie was holdin’ it down for the East Coast. The New York product, alongside his 90’s friend-and-foe Tupac, is one of the biggest icons in all of hip-hop and “Juicy” is a big reason why. Biggie, a Bad Boy emcee and close friend of Puff Daddy (that alone screams 90’s) spits what is basically the American dream of hip-hop. This rags-to-riches story features a smooth, R&B influence, which ran rampant in the 90’s. I addition to a chorus that every self-respecting hip-hop needs to know, “Juicy” features from truly legendary lyrics. Seriously, I tried to pick a few notable bars from this song, but it is damn near impossible to do. The imagery is vividly poetic and each line is better than the last; you would be hard-pressed to find a song, from any era, as glorious and quotable as “Juicy”.

Wu-Tang- “Triumph”-1996



If you are in tune with the current underground scene than you have probably noticed an effort to recapture the magic of the gritty 90’s scene. Said type of raw, authentic street hip-hop was the signature of Wu-Tang and what better way to celebrate it than with one of the best hip-hop music videos ever. This effort is not for the faint of heart. There is no hook, no chorus, just 6 minutes of brutally rugged lyricism. While the video, which is ahead of its time, is quite the high production value (for 1997) spectacle, their style is so authentic. While Wu-Tang Clan, in one form or another, are still influential today, “Triumph” was the epitome of the gritty 90’s sound which they helped pioneer.

2000’s

Ludacris-“Roll Out”-2001



Towards the turn of the century, hip-hop went through a fundamental change where lavish, boastful cuts littered with excess-driven and materialistic bars became the standard. This shift was largely in part due to the success of southern emcees like Ludacris, Master P and No Limit and Lil Wayne. While it might seem strange to call Ludacris the pioneer of anything, his 2001 album “Word Of Mouf” and the single “Roll Out” was one of the earliest, popular examples of this new, turn-of-the-century culture. Scantily clad ladies, chains, and fast cars and boisterous, in your face attitude, this video (and song) has it all. As I said in the beginning, this cut wouldn’t appear in the best of, but when talking trends and styles, there are few cuts from the early 00’s that represent the culture better than “Roll Out” which is why it deserved mention.

Kanye West- “All Falls Down”-2004



Love him or hate him, you have to acknowledge Kanye’s greatness and influence on the tastes of the new generation; he is a trendsetter in ever sense of the word. While he likely produced you favorite cut after the turn of the century, it wasn’t really until “All Falls Down” that he was recognized as an emcee. In a time when the hardened, gangsta persona was running rampant, Kanye showed that even a guy wearing polo could go toe to toe with any of the gun-toting emcees. Kanye was different, but he was so influential, his difference became the norm and this was the beginning of a long, controversial career as one of musics most influential artists.

Jay-Z- “D.O.A”-2009



We couldn’t talk about the 2000’s with out bringing up auto-tune. While it was a controversial tool, there was no denying its success. T-Pain was the godfather and made auto-tune his claim to fame. Plenty of other artist, including the aforementioned Kanye, took their shot with the voice effect as well. There was however, a divide when some lamented the use of the effect, suggesting it took no real talent to use. While this was ran rampant, it was only for a short time, because hip-hop heads, like Jay-Z, officially announced its death and ushered in a new era where there was a call for real, authentic lyricism. While auto-tune was certainly a staple of the later years of the dacadee, its run was ephemeral, and was all but laid to rest by Jay and an audience looking for more from their music.

2010’s

Kendrick Lamer- "HiiiPoWeR"-2011



With an audience tired of a materialistic, excess driven (and auto-tuned) culture, there seems to be a tipping point in hip-hop where audience are gravitating to emcees who actually have something to say; lets call it the return of the lyricist. Ushering in the new era, Kendrick Lamar has emerged the face of the movement. Granted his style can still be heard on the radio, but there are plenty of facets to this emcee and he appears to have found a balance between creating a radio friendly song and making music of significance that can get both he casual, radio hip-hop fan and the hardcore hip-hop head rocking out.

A$AP Rocky- "Wild For The Night"-2013



Since we are currently living in this decade, which is not even half-way through, it is a little different to pick songs that best represent the era; how can we pick what trends will stand out before the decade is out? Well, we cant really, but we can see trends that are growing and guess what will stand out. Something I expect to see much more of in the coming years is a hybrid of EDM and hip-hop. EDM, a newer genre, has been spreading like wildfire and songs like A$AP’s, Skrillex-assisted, “Wild For The Night” show the potential and mainstream appeal of fusing the two genres. It feels weird including a A$AP Rocky track in this article, but there is no denying that this EDM/hip-hop hybridization is a look into the future of the decade.

Drake- “No New Friends”- 2013



Along with EDM crossovers, there are a few more trends that seem to standout in this fledigingl decade; throwback to the 90’s trap, and of course, Drake. Love him or hate him (as it seems many do) Drake ain’t goin anywhere. It just so happens that his 2013 cut “No New Friends” has all three of these elements, making it the perfect sampler for what’s in and what’s to come. First, not only is the beat heavily rooted in trap, but it also boasts a feature from Rick Ross, who has really brought the trap sound to the mainstream. While the musical style isn’t a 90’s throwback, certainly the video concept is (I haven’t seen one of those phones in forever). I get that his sound isn’t for everyone (if we are being totally honest it isn’t really my forte) but like it or not, Drake is a trendsetter and will have a lot to do with what we write about this decade come 2020.

Phew, take a breath….40 years in 15 songs is quite the journey. Again, before you reach for the comment section I want to remind you this is not a best of, its merely a look back at some of the most influential people and trends that have made this genre grow and flourish. That being said, feel free to share your thoughts below.

This look back has showed me hip-hop's life is a lot like a persons. There is a lot of growth and changes and there is no way hip-hop can stay the same. It would be foolish to think a 10 year old hip-hop could be the same as the 30 year old version; you wouldn't expect a 12 year old to be the same when they are 35 would you? Hip-hop is not in a state of arrested development, it is always growing and always changing. There are good years and bad years, highlights and lowlights, but after 40 incredible years, one thing is for certain, hip-hop isn’t going anywhere. Happy birthday and here’s to 40 more.



Nathan Update: On a related note, Rosenberg did a two-hour mix show covering 40 years of hip-hop. Enjoy:

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