Filled with overt power, hip hop during this era was not taking small steps.

During the early ages of

hip hop, monumental, giant steps were filled with Djing and experimental sounds. Back then, rap
music had the soulfulness of the lyrics (as hip hop is not just about lyrics. It is about how you display
your lyrics to move the crowd or inspire your audience thoroughly). Music found on TV shows,
movies, and performances caused changes. More of society accepted hip hop as a credible genre of
music. Hip hop flourished with Adidas, neck chains, shoes, and other forms of fashion. Its creative
essence was solidified. The end of this time saw the start of the Golden Age that saw some of the
greatest hip-hop artists in history. Although, this time saw legendary men and women hip hop stars
(some of the best whoever did it) reach excellent heights of creating innovative songs, gaining
accolades, possessing charisma, and having a sense of purpose revolving around the realm of loving
great music.
 Source: PARAS GRIFFIN/GETTY IMAGES

The legendary hip hop icon

MC Lyte still inspires us all.
“I think it’s great to set
goals for yourself and stop
at nothing until you’ve
made it happen through
good energy and
positivity.”
-MC Lyte

Contents
1. Prelude
2. The Early Years of
the Artform
3. New Realities
4. Run D.M.C.
5. The Diversity of Hip
Hop
6. The Start of the
Golden Age
Hip hop history and culture
during the 1980's were
groundbreaking. It revolved
around massive talent, new
fashion, the expression of
conscious issues, and a global
expansion of its culture. Hip
Hop came from New York City,
and we appreciate NYC's
greatness. New York City is the
most diverse cultural city in all
human history. It has more
people than any other American
city, and NYC has been a great
contributor to many societal
developments of human history.
Yet, hip hop is not just a NYC
thing. Hip hop is an
international culture, and it
belongs to all of us regardless of
where we live at. From the power
of Salt-n-Pepa to the thunderous
sounds from Run DMC, 1980's
hip hop was just as good as any
hip hop from any era of history.
In fact, that time was the
blueprint of how many hip hop
artists act today. 1980's music in
general can be analyzed, and we
see that its music is just as good as
any music of any time. That is
why many legendary hip hop
artists now are influenced by '80's
icons like Kool G Rap, Melle
Mel, Rakim, Kane, MC Lyte,
Roxanne Shante, KRS-One, the
storyteller Slick Rick, and other
artists. That time saw a new,
transitional phrase in hip hop
history.
Mc Lyte, Yoyo, Monie Love, &
rising star Mumu Fresh were on
hand to perform at the 2019
National Black MBA Association
conference held in Houston Texas.
Trina also performed there too.
More artists started to talk about
every issue under the sun with
more explicit language. This
caused debates and controversies
that we have to this very day
during the Fall of 2020. There
was the growth of political rap
from the song The Message to
Public Enemy's Fight the Power.
Women expressed themselves
like J.J. Fad, Salt-n-Pepa,
Sequence, MC Sha rock, Shante,
Queen Latifah, etc. Queen
Latifah did the right thing to
refute false stereotypes about
women and to promote more
unity among women in hip hop
music.
As early as 1976, DJ Kool Herc's
crew called the Herculords had
some of the first women MCs
named: Pebblee-Poo, Sweet and
Sour, and Smiley. These women
not only showed great lyricism.
They presented the message of
wanting their voices to be heard
and to be treated as equal human
beings. These women inspire the
modern-day women hip hop
artists like Jean Grae, Rapsody,
Megan Thee Stallion, Lauryn
Hill, Lizzo, No name, Mia X,
Saweetie, Rah Digga, Shawnna,
Kamaiyah, 3D Na'Tee, etc. In
fact, many women hip hop artists
back then and now rap better
than many of the men hip hop
artists. This time wasn't without
controversy. Groups like 2 Live
Crew and N.W.A. came on the
scene. Explicit language in music
existed for thousands of years. It's
not new. Nothing is new under
the sun. What freaked many in
Middle America out was that
black folks on hip hop records
were saying these things and were
unashamed of their self-
expression. Many in Middle
America hypocritically criticized
these hip hop artists, but they
were silent on many rock artists
glamorizing drug use, sexualizing
women, and celebrating nihilism.
Also, some folks are hypocritical
to condemn all forms of rap
music but are silent on many
movies showing violence, rape,
murder, torture, cruelty to
animals, and other destructive
activities. Artists like 2 Live Crew
and N.W.A. justified their lyrics
by saying that they are only
talking about the realities in the
streets, and they have the free
speech or First Amendment right
to say that what they say. The
Supreme Court said that they
have the First Amendment right
to say what they say. Yet, any
artist has the right to be
critiqued. Whether an artist is in
hip hop, rock, gospel, jazz, punk
rock, R&B, country, etc., that
artist should have that
responsibility to deal with the
consequences of their actions.
Me personally, I don't agree with
lyrics that debase women,
glamorize violence against
innocent people, and calling
black folks every name other than
a child of God. That is me, and I
have the right to my views.
Showing the realities of the
streets is important (as we
shouldn't sugarcoat what is going
on in poorer communities) but
showing these realities doesn't
mean that we have to degrade our
Brothers or our Sisters in the
process of telling that story. So,
these explicit lyrics showing
artists have free speech rights (I
don't believe in total censorship
as these artists are grownups, and
I will believe in the freedom of
choice involving musical
expression) just as I have my free
speech right to disagree with
some of their lyrics. I will
mention that groups like N.W.A.
(even with my disagreements on
some of their misogynist, anti-
black lyrics) are 100 percent right
to oppose police brutality, to
oppose racism, and to never be
ashamed of where you came
from. From MC Hammer's pop
hip hop records to the music of
Slick Rick or the Beastie Boys,
there is never a dull moment in
1980's hip hop. This time saw the
rise of the Reagan Presidency.
Soon, it will be the 40th year
anniversary of the start of Ronald
Reagan's Presidency. After 40
years, we see how Reagan was
wrong on many issues and
promoted a reactionary agenda so
extreme that we are dealing with
it today. The diversity of hip hop
represents its strength. Hip Hop
is the most influential music
genre of the past almost 50 years
now. It is certainly time to
evaluate hip hop in a fair way.
Hip hop is still here after these
decades.

On Soul Train, Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew

(including Slick Rick) performed their song of The Show on
December 14, 1985. For us growing, Soul Train was
groundbreaking show casting amazing talent constantly.
 The Early Years of the Artform
After 1979, hip hop expanded into places worldwide. One of the greatest hip hop artists of the late 1970's
and 1980's was the pioneer Kurtis Blow. Kurtis Blow appealed to people of many backgrounds. He had
respect from musicians, dancers, fans, and among a wide spectrum of humanity in general. By 1980, the
singing group The Commodores took Kurtis Blow on tour. This was historically significant for many
reasons. Back in the day, many R&B artists didn't like or respect hip hop. During the early years of hip
hop, some considered it a fad that would go away in a few years. Now, we realize that hip hop is not a
fad. Kurtis Blow was the first rapper to appear on national television on Soul Train. He released the
classic song of "The Breaks" from Mercury Records. The Breaks is the first certified gold rap song. Radio
stations increasingly showed hip hop. Urban areas, college campuses, rural places, and other places by
1980 experienced tours from hip hop artists.

This time (of the early 1980's) was when Bob Marley came into America greatly too. In 1980, the Zulu
Nation Throwdown Pt. 1 was released from Paul Winley Records by Afrika Bambaataa and Zulu
Nation. By 1981, Grandmaster Flash released "The Adventures of Grand Master Flash on the Wheels of
Steel." This was the first record to capture the sounds of live DJ scratching on wax. Funky 4 plus
One (which had woman musician MC Sha Rock) performed their classic hit, "That's the Joint" on NBC's
Saturday Night Live on February 14th, 1981. It was the first hip hop group to appear on the show. The
Beastie Boys were created in 1981 with Adam Horovitz (King Ad-Rock), Adam Yauch (MCA), and
Michael Diamond (Mike D). The Beastie Boys’ early records were about hijinks, living in New York
City, going to clubs, and other topics of rebellion. Later by the 1990’s, they became more political, more
introspective, and more analytical in their lyrics. In 1981, Blondie's Rapture featured rap music (with Fab
5 Freddy and others). It was featured on MTV. Once again, back in the day, MTV refused to show a lot
of black artists because of the obvious reason. MTV was a primarily rock and roll station and acted racist
to restrict black artists to showcase their talents on that network until pressure came upon them. That is
why artists like Prince and Michael Jackson pressured MTV to show videos from a diversity of genres
and from black people not just rock artists. The Rapture song had Debbie Harry talking about hip hop
pioneers in her verses. The video gave honor to Manhattan's East Village. It showed graffiti legend Lee
Quinones and graffiti artist and fine art icon Jean Michel Basquiat. Also, in 1981, Monica Lynch was the
first employee at Tom Silverman's newly formed Tommy Boy Records. Lynch would be the President of
the label during the 1980's and the 1990's. Monica Lynch helped to launch the careers of many hip hop
artists like Queen Latifah, De La Soul, Digital Underground, Biz Markie, and Naughty by Nature. In
1982, the song the Message was one of the greatest songs in hip hop history. It is probably the song that
has the most influential message in hip hop history. It was shown by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious
Five. Its lyrics wasn't about partying (which emphasized much of early hip hop music). It was an in your
face look into the realities of poor, black and brown neighborhoods in New York City. The song was a
forerunner to what gangster rap and more political rap that came about later. Melle Mel shown lyrics
that outlined what was really happening in the ghetto like broken glass, poverty, police brutality, angst,
anger, pain, and being journalists of the street. The famous hook from the Message include the following
lyrics:

"...Don't push me 'cause I'm close to the edge

I'm trying not to lose my head
It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under..." Hip hop Graffiti is always a large part of hip hop
culture.
In 1982, Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force released the techno influenced on song Planet Rock
on Tommy Boy Records. In the same year, Kool Moe Dee beat Busy Bee in a rap battle. Emcee battling
after that became a huge part of hip hop culture. Folks wanted to know who had the better lyrics, the
better beats, or the better charisma on stage. Hip hop embodied those elements thoroughly.
Competition remains an integral part of hip hop culture to this day.

This is where it DJ Marley Marl doesn’t Pete Rock is here performing at

started. On this get enough credit as Razel and Friends at Brooklyn Bowl
building at 1520 one of the greatest DJs in 2016.
Sedgwick in hip hop history. He
Avenue, Kool made Cold Chillin’
Herc had venue Records and helped the
that started hip famous Juice Crew.
hop in 1973 at
the Bronx, NYC.
The film Wild Style came bout in 1982. It was produced by Fab 5 Freddy and Charlie Ahearn. The hip
hop film showed Cold Crush Brothers, Grandmaster Flash, Grandwizard Theodore, DJ Aj, Grandmixer
D.S.T. and others (like Lady Pink, Crash, Daze, Doni, etc.) including members of the Rock Steady
Crew. The first hip hop radio station in Los Angeles was KDAY back in 1983. Greg "Mack" Macmillan
was the program director who promoted hip hop music. He allowed young DJs to express themselves
including a then young Dr. Dre to mix records live on the air. A lot of people don't know that Dr. Dre
was a DJ before he became a producer and rapper. 1983 saw Ice T had songs like "Body Rock" and
"Killers" that pioneers gangsta rap. The anti-cocaine song "White Lines (Don't Do It)" was released in
1983 by Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel. The corporate side of hip hop came about into a higher level
after Grandmaster Flash sued Sugarhill Records for $5 million over royalties. This was in 1983. Run
DMC released "It's Like That." This was in 1983 too. Def Jam was founded by Russell Simmons and Rick
Rubin in 1984. What Motown is to soul music, Def Jam, Death Row, Bad Boy, and other record labels
are to hip hop music. Def Jam gave voice to many hip hop artists like LL Cool J (who made records in
the 1980's like "I Need a Beat"), T La Rock (with his song "It's Yours"), and the Beastie Boys (who made
records like Rock Hard). The group called the Fat Boys in 1985 promoted the product of Swatch Watch.

By 1984, hip hop grew involving touring. There was the Fresh Fest concert that featured Whodini, Kurtis
Blow, Fat Boys, and Run DMC. It sold $3.5 million for 27 days. Battle rap expands with the UTFO's
"Roxanne Roxanne" diss in 1984. Later, other responses came including from a then 14-year-old emcee
named Roxanne Shante, who was from Queens. She released the song, "Roxanne's Revenge." She is from
Queensbridge, and it sold over 250,000 copies. She made the record allegedly at Marley Marl's living
room. The Roxanne battle wars expanded the battle rap culture of hip hop music. Roxanne Shante
(Lolita Shante Gooden) was recruited by the hip hop producer Marley Marl, radio DJ Jr. Magic, and
Tyrone Williams. Marley Marl was one of the greatest hip hop DJs and producers in history. If someone
wants to learn about hip hop culture, that person should learn about the contributions of Marley Marl.
UTFO used another Roxanne (who was then a young Puerto Rican lady) to answer back to Roxanne
Shante. For over a year over 30 records were produced by different sources. Roxanne Shante would be
known as an experienced battle rapper. Roxanne Shante used satire, humor, and lyricism to express her
thoughts and feelings. Roxanne Shante was just gifted to defeat a list of people in the hip hop battle
arena. In 1984, Dougie Fresh released the Original Human Beat Box. Dougie Fresh expanded the
innovations of hip hop talent. Sugarhill Records went into bankruptcy and is forced out of business by
1985. Salt n Pepa made their first appearance as being part of the group Super Nature's "The Show
Stopper" in 1985 too. The original Salt-N-Pepa had Cheryl James, Sandra Denton, and DJ Latoya
Hanson before DJ Spinderella was in the group later on.

By 1986, a then 16-year old MC Lyte recorded her first song called, "I Cram to Understand U (Sam)." She
later signed a deal with Atlantic Records. In 1986, Run D.M.C. and Aerosmith merged rap and rock with
the song "Walk This Way." Back in the day, many hip hop fans and rock fans didn’t like each other. The
Run D.M.C. song with Aerosmith helped to bridge the gap so to speak among fans of those respective
genres of music. Run D.M.C. was very powerful music wise, fashion wise, and they helped to propel hip
hop into another level of popularity. In 1986, the Houston based Geto Boys was created by MCs
Raheim, Jukebox, DJ Ready Red, and Sir Rap-A-Lot. It was assembled by James Smith (who is from
Houston too). The group also had Bushwick Bill. By 1988, the Geto Boys added Willie D and the multi-
instrumentalist Scarface (Akshun) in the group. The Geto Boys influenced a large part of the evolution
of southern hip hop music.

These women MCs here were shown in the movie Beat Street. Beat Street is a
movie about the emerging hip hop culture of the 1980’s. The hip hop artists in this
scene called themselves Us Girls (who are Sha Rock, Debbie D, & Lisa Lee).
They proved to the world that women can be just as potent lyrically as men
involving hip hop music. From the past to the present, music has always been a
force to make people dance or just cause folks to relax. Stan Lathan is the Director
of the film Beat Street. Harry Belafonte produced the film among others. Stan
Lathan (who is the father of Sanaa Lathan. Sanaa Lathan was the lead actress of
the hip hop film of Brown Sugar in 2002) is one man who brought tons of shows
that honored youth, hip hop culture (including black culture in general) for
decades.
 The 1980’s Classic Hip Hop Movies

Wild Style (1982) Krush Groove Beat Street (1984) Style Wars (1983)
(1985)

Breakin’ (1984) Tougher Than Rappin’ (1985) Do the Right Thing

Leather (1988) (1989)

Breakin’ 2: Electric Disorderlies (1987) Colors (1988) I’m Gonna Git You
Boogaloo (1984) Sucka (1988)
 This image above shows Whodini in recent years.

New Realities
By the late 1970's and the 1980's, new realities existed in hip hop music. That time saw drum machines
like the Roland TR-808 drum machine, electro, and sampling from various artists. The popularization of
the 808 became one major aspect of hip hop music. In 1982, other music like Hip Hop Be Bop (Don't
Stop) by Man Parrish, Whodini's Magic Wand, and Malcolm McLearn's Buffalo Gals inspired future
music. There was graffiti art, b-boying, Djing, and rapping. By this time, more hip-hop artists made
more social messages like Melle Mel, Public Enemy, Run DMC, Paris, and other people. The 1980's saw
beatboxing as an integral part of hip hop music. This was shown by Biz Markie, Buffy from the Fat
Boys, and of course Doug E. Fresh. Some people suing their mouth to make beats. The growth of hip-
hop related films like Wild Style, Beat Street, Krush Groove, Breakin, and the documentary Style Wars
were very powerful during the 1980's. This time saw the further expansion of women showing hip hop.

Women had a key role in hip hop music since the start of it in the Bronx during the 1970's. There is the
paradox. We know what it is. The paradox is that while women played a key role in hip hop music,
certain hip hop artists have shown songs with misogynistic or anti-women lyrics along with the
sexualization of women in an inappropriate fashion. This is not all of hip hop, but it's a serious problem
that has been talked about by former model Melyssa Ford, Janelle Monae, Queen Latifah, and other
women. We must discuss about this issue and eliminate misogyny from hip hop music. It is no secret
that many companies refuse to back women artists on the same level as men artists. One large part of hip
hop music deals with fashion. Hip hop and fashion go hand in hand. During the 1980's, those in hip hop
 culture wore Adidas shoes plus shirts, gold chains, specialized hats. Others, in love with hip hop culture,
wore Clarks shoes, British Walkers, Pro-Keds, Converse's Chuck Taylor, Pumas, Nike shoes, etc. People
also rocked Kangol clothes. Gold door knocker earrings were shown by Roxanne Shante and Salt-N-
Pepa. Even to this day, 80's hip hop fashion has been shown today in a nostalgic fashion. Some in hip
hop musicians refuse to wear expansive jewelry as a statement against materialism. Therefore, hip hop is
a very diversity musical artform.

Melle Mel was the Kool Moe Dee is a Kurtis Blow is one of LL Cool J is one of the Rock Steady Crew is a
lead vocalist and rapper who loves to the pioneers who is most consistent MCs historic hip hop and
songwriter of be as lyrical and universally respected in history (as he can breakdancing crew. It
Grandmaster Flash intellectual as in hip hop culture. both rap love songs was created in NYC at
and the Furious possible in his lyrics. He is more than a b- and lyrical music). He the Bronx in 1977.
Five. Being born at Unsung shown an boy and rapper. was one of the first Jimmy Dee and Jimmy
the Bronx, NYC, he episode about his Kurtis Blow is a rappers to call himself Lee were the first
participated in hip life and musical film/record the GOAT or the members. Later, Crazy
hop culture since career. He earned producer, DJ, and Greatest of all time. Legs and B-Boy Fresh
the 1970’s. He is his degree from ordained minister. From Queens, he joined the crew. They
now 59 years old. State University of From his song form always loved battle are worldwide known
New York at Old The Breaks to his rap. That is why he as the most influential
Westbury in other endeavors, competed against breakdancing group of
communications. Kurtis Blow has Kool Moe Dee, MC all time.
Kool Moe Dee is lived a well-rounded Hammer, Ice T,
from Harlem. life. Canibus, and other
artists. LL is the
bridge that allowed
artists to have that
expansion of success.
THE FIRST MAJOR WOMAN HIP
HOP MC

“…everyone please embrace the

culture and make sure that you
understand that Hip Hop is really
not just about rap and profit, it’s
about peace, unity, and having
Sha Rock (Sharon Green) changed the game of hip fun. Listening to music, enjoying
hop music. She used her talent and other music one another and being safe.”
skills to not only show music. She inspired women -Sha-Rock in 2009
and men to pursue a career in hip hop if they so
desire. She was born in Wilmington, North
Carolina. She grew up in the South Bronx, New
York City. Her peers call her “Mother of the Mic.”
Later, she was part of the hip hop group Funky 4 +
1, which was the first hip hop crew to appear on
national television. Her delivery of lyrics was ahead
of its time. MC Lyte and DMC (or Darryl
McDaniels of Run-DMC) were inspired by Sha
Rock. Since the 1970’s, she was a breakdancer (b-
girl) in South Bronx. In 1979, she had a hit record
named “Rapping and Rocking the House” on
Sugarhill records. To this day, she wants people to
understand the history and culture of hip hop. On
August 4, 2009, Sha-Rock was presented an award
for “Women in Hip Hop All Female Rapathon and
All Pioneer luminary MC Award.” She paved the
way for modern women MCs like Rapsody, Megan
Thee Stallion, Kash Doll, Tierra Whack, Chika,
Rico Nasty, Noname, WondaGurl, Lizzo,
Kamaiyah, Saweetie, and so many other human
beings.
 Run D.M.C.
Run D.M.C. is one of the greatest hip hop groups in history, and it is the most influential hip hop group
in history. It broke down barriers. It was a group that didn't care about the critics of hip hop as they
were unapologetically about human expression. They were based in Hollis, Queens. Its founders are
Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. It was created in 1983. This group was powerful,
because it made the crowd to value both the MC and the DJ as equals in hip hop. They helped the pave
the way for future, new school hip hop artists from Wu Tang Clan to Outkast. The group Run D.M.C.
lasted for decades. Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay changed the whole game. Their album Run-D.M.C.
in 1984 became the first hip hop group to have a gold record. Run DMC is the first hip hop group with
a platinum record with King of Rock in 1985. In 1986, they made an album to be the first multi-platinum
hip hop record. Run DMC was the first hip hop group to have their music videos broadcast on MTV,
appear on American Bandstand, and be on the cover of Rolling Stone.

They performed at Live Aid and were nominated for a Grammy Award. They were the second hip hop
group to be inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rev. Run started as a DJ under Kurtis Blow.
Simmons and McDaniels performed in places by the late 1970's. Jason Mizzell joined the group too.
Rock Box was a record from them that was ahead of its time. They pioneered the fusion of hip hop and
rock in music. Run DMC used a more street, less flashy fashion style of Kangol, Adidas shoes, hats, and
leather jackets. This fashion influenced hip hop all the way to 2020 and beyond. Run DMC was in the
movie Krush Groove too. It was a fictionalized story about the early days of Def Jam. The film had
Kurtis Blow, Fat Boys, New Edition, LL Cool J, and Sheila E in it. It had the Beastie Boys too. By the
late 1980's with the Golden era of hip hop, they had songs like Run's House, Beats to the Rhyme, and
other music. Their album Tougher Than Leather was released in 1988. Their Down With the King song
in 1993 was their further evolution and proof that they had the power to adjust to changing sounds. Jam
Master Jay passed away in 2002. He was a legend and the heart and soul of Run DMC. Jam Master Jay
was a mentor to many up and coming hip hop artists. We honor hip hop by honoring Run DMC
contributions to the genre. Run DMC made what hip hop is during the 21st century. They are a group
that made the transition from the more disco-like records to a more aggressive sound. They made fashion
and other cultural influences very well known. Some breaking news is that 2 suspects are now arrested in
being charged with the murder of the hip-hop legendary DJ Jam Master Jay. Jay was murdered in 2002.
The suspects' names are Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. 18 years later is the time from Jay's
passing to the new arrests. Hopefully, justice can be fully done in the future after the trial.

The Sister to the far right is Jam Master Jay’s widow, who is Terri Corley Mizell.
Rest in Power Brother Jam Master Jay.

Many of the Firsts among Run-DMC:

*The First Hip hop group to have a Gold Record (with the album of Run-D.M.C. from
1984).
*The First Hip Hop Group to have a Platinum record (with the album of King of Rock from
1985)
*The First Hip Hop Group to go Multiple Platinum with their 1986 album.
*The First Hip Hop group to have Music videos broadcast on MTV, appear on American
Bandstand, be on the covert of Rolling Stone, and performed at Live Aid.
*The First Hip Hop group to be nominated for a Grammy Award.
 THE CULTURE AND FASHION OF 1980’S HIP HOP

The Kangol hat was very popular

Chuck D of Public Enemy wore the Raider
Starter Jackets all of time when he
performed back during the 1980’s. Public
Enemy is a group that focused on having fun
and dealing with real social issues going on in
our world.
among hip hop artists, the
youth, and other people of the
1980’s. Here, LL Cool has a
Kangol hat and he’s wearing
large chains. Large chains
When Salt-n-Pepa rocked those
represent one major motif of kente print hats, you knew it wasn’t
hip hop fashion. a game. The colors of their clothes
were vibrant, they match, and Salt-
n-Pepa has a whole lot of charisma
including swagger.

Air Jordan 1 from the 1980’s

changed the shoe game
forevermore.

The hip hop group that

By the late 1980’s, artists like
represented Adidas the most in
history has always been Run Queen Latifah have shown an
D.M.C. People saw the massive Afrocentric style on a higher level
cultural power of hip hop in the hip hop atmosphere. Back
involving fashion when Run then, people wore red, black, and
D.M.C. excelled in the music green medallions, X caps, and Four finger rings were highly popular
stage. other clothing showing during the 1980’s. Here, the late Bill
appreciation to black African Nunn has shown his four finger rings
heritage. in the film Do the Right Thing which
came out in 1989.
JJ Fad is a legendary hip
hop group from
California with massive
talent. They are
showing their earrings,
and large earrings were
highly common during
the era of 1980’s hip The 1980’s culture of hip hop made us aware that
diversity, creativity, and innovatiion will strengthen any
hop.
musical genre. The music that we listen to now was
heavily influenced by the sounds of the 1980’s.
 The Diversity of Hip Hop
Hip Hop back during the 1980's was very diverse. It didn't just exist in one Northern city. It was found
nationwide and worldwide. In Philadelphia, there was Schoolly D. In the South, artists like the Geto
Boys, 2 Live Crew, and other artists were famous. In the West, you had artists like N.W.A., Ice T, and
other people. The all women hip hop group called The Sequence came from Columbia, South Carolina.
They were created in 1979. They were the first trio women group to sign to the Sugar Hill label. The
members of the group were Cheryl Cook (or Cheryl the Pearl), Gwendolyn Chisolm (Blondie), and
Angie Brown Stone (or Angie B). All 3 of the artists were high school friends. One of the earliest women
MCs is Sharon Green or MC Sha-Rock. She was born in Wilmington, North Carolina and grew up in
the South Bronx, New York City. She was born in 1962. People call her the Mother of the Mic. She was
in the crew Funky 4 + 1. She was one of the great influencers of modern-day rapping. She influenced MC
Lyte and DMC. Her book is entitled, "The Story of the Beginning and End of the First Hip hop Female
MC Luminary Icon Sha-Rock." The book is about her life, her impact on the world, and her life
experiences. Diversity and hip hop go hand in hand.

By the year of 1985, hip hop evolved into a worldwide cultural phenomenon. Def Jam Recordings was
very prominent on the scene. Hard hitting beats and scratches grew while the old school electro and
disco sounds decreased. Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew along with Slick Rick made the song of
The Show/La Di Da Di. Rock the Bells from LL Cool J was another landmark song with beats. Also,
Rick Rubin worked in the hip hop industry as a producer. One of the earliest songs of gangsta rap was
done by Schoolly D (from Philly) with his record of PSK, What Does It Mean? This track inspired Ice T
to write 6 N The Morning. 1985 saw Run DMC being the most popular hip hop group of the time. The
ten teenager Roxanne Shante worked with Marley Mal to make herself known as a formidable battle
MC. UTFO or Untouchable Force Organization was made up of The Educated Rapper, Kangol Kid,
Doctor Ice, and DJ Mix Master Ice.
Important Social Issues of
The song of Bassline from Mantronix presented lyricism by MC Tee the 1980’s
plus hard beats. 1985 saw the early Beastie Boys being not as conscious as
they became years later. Toddy Tee’s Batterram in 1985 was about the
LAPD using batter rams to break into the homes of suspected drug
dealers. During that time, the War on Drugs increased in its viciousness.
Instead of promoting treatment for drug addiction heavily, the powers
that be heavily utilized mass incarceration and other policies that Mrs. Coretta Scott King is
destroyed many families not just in the 1980’s but beyond. The long pictured here leading an anti-
apartheid protest on Nov. 29,
legacy of hip hop is not just about elaborate storytelling about the 1984, at the S. African
conditions of humanity. It gave tons of human beings a chance to fully Embassy in D.C.
express their pain, their frustrations, their dreams, and their joy. In life,
there is nothing wrong with standing up for justice and to embrace a
mentality to strive for happiness.

Yusuf Hawkins was a young

Public Enemy black human being who was
would murdered by racists at
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn in
address 1989. Protests existed against
issues that such a brutal act. Yusuf
many were Hawkins: Storm Over
afraid of Brooklyn is a documentary
about Yusuf Hawkins’ life.
talking about
during the
1980’s. Public
Enemy is a
group that
made people
think.

The hip hop artist Sweet Tee

(Toi Jackson) is from
Queens. She made many
records during the 1980’s
and beyond. Toi Jackson is
currently the assistant
director at Samaritan
The Beastie Boys from NYC
Village, a drug treatment are a key part of 1980’s hip
program located in Jamaica, hop music.
Queens NY.
 The Start of the Golden Age

By 1986, a new era started in hip hop. It was called the Golden Age from 1986 to 1994. It was a time when
there was a total explosion of music, culture, and expression in hip hop music. Hip Hop further grew into
new heights of power. Also, corporations sought to exploit it for profit and for other reasons. The Golden
era of hip hop allowed the diverse regions of America to shine their artists more thoroughly. Musicians
from the Midwest, the North, the South, the West Coast, and worldwide have shown their great voices to
move the crowd. They desired to motivate society to change for the better. It was a new school movement
with conscious artists, more street artists, pop artists, and other human beings. Early Southern hip hop
developed rapidly during the 1980’s. As early as 1982, Kidz Jamm was a radio program on Texas Southern
University’s college radio station of KTSU. It supported Houston’s hip hop culture. It was a place where
local artists would have their songs heard along with other hip-hop music. MacGregor Park in 1985 was a
song made by Houston native The L.A. rapper describing the MacGregor Park areas of Houston, Texas.
The Rap Pool of America in 1985 helped DJs and musicians nationwide. The Golden Age of hip hop music
is characterized by its diversity. That time saw people as diverse as Queen Latifah and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the
Fresh Prince. It was a time of innovation. New singles came about that redefined the genre more and more.

These artists are Bahamadia, Nas, Common, Pete Rock, Havoc,

and CL Smooth.
Arrested Development, Yo-Yo, MC Lyte, Brandy, Queen Latifah, Jody Watley,
and Rakim (as shown in these photos) represent what the Golden Age of Hip Hop
is all about.
Groundbreaking albums existed along with debates about various political plus social issues. The quality
of the music was focused, inspiring, and very potent. It was a time where a myriad of styles of hip hop was
abundant. If you like lyricism and political records, there was Rakim, De La Soul, and Public Enemy. If
you like to relax, there was MC Hammer and Will Smith. If you like pro-black messages, you can vibe to
A Tribe Called Quest, Arrested Development, Brand Nubian, and the Jungle Brothers. Samples were used.
These samples came from jazz, funk, soul, rock and roll, and other musical types. The golden era of hip
hop had some of the greatest advances in lyricism or rapping techniques. Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One,
Rakim, Chuck D, and other artists perfected lyricism. That time represented the essence of what hip-hop
is. The genre dealt with the full expression of human beings about their personal experiences in a creative
fashion. Soon, I will fully outline the multifaceted components of the Golden Age of hip hop.

By Timothy
 Modern Day Hip Hop Artists

Emmanuel Jal Yewande Isola

The next part of this hip hop series will present a
description of the Golden Age of Hip Hop (from
Rakim to MC Lyte).