World (AP)

50 years of hip-hop: Rhythm, Rhyme, Reinvention, Respect

50 years of hip-hop: Rhythm, Rhyme, Reinvention, Respect

50 Years of Hip hop Rhythm  Rhyme Reinvention Respect logo50 Years of Hip hop Rhythm  Rhyme Reinvention Respect logo

Living IN a
hip-hop world

In the five decades since hip-hop emerged out of New York City, it spread around the country and the world. And at each step there’s been change and adaptation, as new, different voices came in and made it their own. It’s touched everything, from art and fashion to sports and social justice. 


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in the beginning,
there was the bronx

Hip-hop came to life in the 1970s Bronx, mired in urban decay, poverty and gang violence but filled with resilience, creativity and grit.

RHYTHM

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The women
take the mic

Women have been a part of hip-hop since its debut, battling for their space and to have their voices heard. As hip-hop marks 50 years, female rappers are taking their moment to shine – while still demanding respect and facing decades-old challenges.

RHYME

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getting the
money

Hip-hop’s popularity and influence hasn’t just been in music – it’s touched everything from high-end fashion to fast food.

REINVENTION

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beats and
basketball

No other sport has had the relationship with hip-hop that basketball has. From the playgrounds to the big leagues, hip-hop has become the game’s soundtrack.

RHYTHM

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hip-hop’s
Shifting Sounds

The song DOESN’T remain the same, when it comes to hip-hop. It’s the ultimate in self-expression and that’s meant artists in different geographies and time periods taking it on and doing it their own way.

REINVENTION

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show CREDITS

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Creative Direction and design

Darrell Allen

Development and design

Panagiotis Mouzakis

Writers

Deepti Hajela
Noreen Nasir
Sharon Johnson
Nardos Haile
Aaron Morrison
Glenn Gamboa
Kyle Hightower
Alanis Thames

contributors

Jonathan Landrum, Jr.
Gary Gerard Hamilton
Claudia Mackie
Eunice Esomonu
Koko Nakajima

text EDITORS

Ted Anthony
Anna Jo Bratton
Aisha Jefferson
Howie Rumberg
Anisha Frizzell
Oscar Dixon

phot0 editors

Pablo Salinas
Paul Kazdan

photographers

Bebeto Matthews
Noreen Nasir
Sharon Johnson
Brynn Anderson
Matt Licari

Illustrations

Cheyanne Mumphrey

video

Noreen Nasir
Sharon Johnson

audio producers

Ron Vample
Marjorie Szaroleta
Jaime Holguin

AUDIENCE COORDINATION AND PRODUCTION

Joshua Housing
Kimberly Rapanut

PROJECT MANAGERS

Howie Rumberg
Darrell Allen
Deepti Hajela
Andale Gross
Panagiotis Mouzakis