50 Years of Hip Hop

It was on August 11, 1973, that the party considered to symbolize the birth of hip hop took place. In an apartment in the Bronx, New York, the Jamaican DJ Kool Herc employed techniques that became the esthetic hallmarks of the genre, using a microphone and two turntables.

Born in the Bronx neighborhood of New York, DJ Afrika Bambaataa was a pioneer in using the term “hip hop” and is considered one of the founders of the style. In 1977, he created Zulu Nation, a movement that brought together rappers, dancers, and visual artists with a politically conscious attitude.

The Beastie Boys, a trio consisting of Mike D, Ad Rock, and MCA, blended rock with hip hop, combining turntables with bass, guitar, and drums.

One of the main icons of Brazilian hip hop in recent decades, Criolo has a body of work influenced by various Brazilian rhythms in rap. Besides recording a samba album (‘Espiral da Ilusão,’ 2017) and a tribute to Tim Maia with Ivete Sangalo (‘Viva Tim Maia!,’ 2015), he is behind classics like ‘Esquiva de Esgrima,’ ‘Subirusdoistiozin,’ and ‘Não Existe Amor em SP,’ a song that brought him national attention after he performed it alongside Caetano Veloso at the VMB in 2011.

A formidable name in contemporary hip hop, Emicida has eight albums to his credit, and also ventures into cinema and literature. He has recorded alongside artists like Zeca Pagodinho, Wilson das Neves, and Pitty, and his hits include ‘AmarElo,’ ‘Hoje Cedo,’ and ‘Levanta e Anda.’

Born in Barbados, DJ Grandmaster Flash is one of the creators of hip hop and a pioneer in mixing techniques such as backspin, cutting, phasing, and scratch. He has been an important figure on the Bronx music scene since the 1970s. In 1982, alongside the group Furious Five, he released the hit ‘The Massage,’ a portrait of New York at the time.

One of the most controversial personalities in the music industry, Kanye West – now calling himself Ye – is a singer, songwriter, music producer, and fashion designer, with a career marked by great success and controversy. In addition to producing artists like Eminem, Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys, he has written classic hip hop albums such as ‘Graduation’ (2007) and ‘The Life Of Pablo’ (2016).

Discovered by the world in the 1990s as a member of The Fugees, Lauryn Hill became one of the most important female voices in hip hop, releasing the acclaimed album ‘The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill’ in 1998.

The singer, songwriter, and producer Missy Elliott was the first female hip hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Also known by the nickname “Misdemeanor,” she was part of the group Sista and has had many hits in her career, including ‘Get Ur Freak On,’ ‘Work It,’ and ‘Lose Control.’

Negra Li was the first hip hop singer to sign with a major label in Brazil, in 2004. With her distinctive voice, she joined the group RZO aged 16 and gained prominence when she recorded the track ‘Não É Sério’ with the band Charlie Brown Jr. In her solo career, she recorded celebrated songs like ‘Você Vai Estar Na Minha’ and ‘Negra Livre.’

The foremost reference in Brazilian hip hop and rap, Racionais MC’s played a founding role in the movement in Brazil. Formed by Mano Brown, KL Jay, Ice Blue, and Edi Rock in 1988, the quartet portrayed life on the edges of São Paulo with precise lyrics and catchy sounds, on unforgettable tracks like ‘Diário de Um Detento,’ ‘Negro Drama,’ and ‘Capítulo 4, Versículo 3.’

Even with his brief career, Sabotage left his mark on Brazilian music, having a notable influence on subsequent generations of rap and hip hop. Respected by his contemporaries, the "Maestro do Canão" received four Hutúz awards during his lifetime and recorded unforgettable songs like ‘Um Bom Lugar,’ ‘Rap É Compromisso,’ and ‘Mun-Rá.’

Tássia Reis is among the leading female names in contemporary Brazilian hip hop. Born in Jacareí in the state of São Paulo, her lyrics touch on breaking standards, love, and self-awareness. Some of her stand-out songs include ‘Dolar Euro,’ ‘Ofício de Cantante,’ and ‘Calma Preta.’