Recognizing her extraordinary talent, Alvin Ailey created iconic roles for Ms. Jamison during her career (1965-1980), most notably the tour-de-force solo Cry in 1971, created as a birthday gift for his mother and dedicated to “all Black women everywhere, especially our mothers."

Over her fifteen-year career with AILEY, Judith Jamison broke through racial barriers to become internationally recognized in the dance world.

Before his untimely passing in 1989, Alvin Ailey asked Judith Jamison to return to succeed him as artistic director, making her one of only a handful of women in the world to direct a major dance company.

As artistic director, Ms. Jamison took the Company to new heights with historic engagements in South Africa, television specials, and more. She choreographed 10 ballets, commissioned 20 Company premieres, 32 new productions, and 38 world premieres by renowned choreographers.

It was Ms. Jamison’s dream to have a permanent home for AILEY. In 2005, that became a reality with the opening of The Joan Weill Center for Dance—home to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, The Ailey School, Ailey Extension, and Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs.

In 2008, Judith Jamison led the organization in a 50th-anniversary celebration, featuring a year-long schedule of special performances, projects, and events including a 50-city global tour.

Ms. Jamison continued to dedicate herself to asserting the prominence of the arts in our culture, and she remained committed to promoting the significance of the Ailey legacy until her death on November 9, 2024. Her impact on the Company and the dance world remains unmatched.

On August 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc, a 16-year-old Jamaican immigrant, and his sister Cindy threw a “back to school jam” block party at 1520 Sedgwick  Avenue in the Bronx. This humble yet landmark event marked the beginning of hip hop culture.

Sylvia Robinson first heard rapping at her 43rd birthday party and knew she had to put it onto a record. In 1979, she founded Sugarhill Records with her husband, Joe, in order to fulfill her vision. Robinson was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2022.

The Sugarhill Gang recorded the vocals to "Rapper's Delight" in a single take while on a break from work – the song introduced hip hop to a global audience and was the genre's first mainstream hit, reaching Number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductions.

NYC band Blondie was instrumental in popularizing punk and New Wave but were also inspired by hip hop culture. Their hit “Rapture” (1981) was the first song containing rap music to top the Billboard pop charts. 

After seeing MCs perform in the Bronx, Blondie guitarist Chris Stein suggested, "We should do a rap song and call it ‘Rapture’. It was an obvious wordplay on rap.” The lyrics reference DJ Grandmaster Flash as well as Fab 5 Freddy, a hip hop pioneer and former graffiti artist.

Blondie performs "Rapture" at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.