The Moguls: Hip Hop At 50
From its beginnings, hip hop has been a platform for self-expression and self-determination, and many of its pioneers embraced the do-it-yourself mentality of the culture.
From its early days in the Bronx in the 1970s, hip hop has been a platform for self-expression and self-determination, and many of its pioneers embraced the entrepreneurial spirit of the culture. Hip hop's moguls are known not only for their music but for building business empires and creating some of the world’s most recognizable brands: Def Jam, Fenty, Beats By Dre, Rock the Bells. Hip hop product lines, from record labels to clothing to technology to sports entertainment, have become household names.
"Love Is Strange" sheet music
Artist, songwriter, producer, record label owner, and CEO, Sylvia Robinson was the “Godmother of Hip Hop” and the original hip hop mogul. At a time when few women broke into non-singing music industry roles, Robinson produced, wrote, sang, and played guitar.
Sylvia Robinson jacket
With creativity and perseverance, Robinson spearheaded nearly every significant innovation in the first wave of recorded hip hop. Besides producing "Rapper's Delight," Robinson also co-produced the first hip hop track featuring turntable techniques, paving the way for sampling.
Note from Russell Simmons to the Beastie Boys
After producing and/or managing artists including Run-D.M.C., Kurtis Blow, and Whodini, Russell Simmons joined forces with Rick Rubin and formed Def Jam Recordings in 1984. Def Jam signed a number of hip hop superstars, including LL COOL J, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, and JAY-Z.
Rush Management Brochure (1992) by Rush ManagementRock & Roll Hall of Fame
Rush Management brochure
In addition to his work with Def Jam, Simmons has worked in film production, founded clothing lines including Phat Farm and Baby Phat, engaged in numerous philanthropic endeavors, and started Rush Communications: one of the largest Black-owned media firms in the U.S.
Puff Daddy jacket
One of the most successful hip hop impresarios of the 1990s, Sean Combs started his music career as an intern for Uptown Records in 1991. By 1993 Combs left Uptown and started Bad Boy Entertainment label, collecting a roster of hitmakers, including the Notorious B.I.G.
No Limit Records jacket
New Orleans rapper and producer Master P started No Limit Records as a retail store, which later became a record label. In addition to Master P’s work, No Limit released albums by Snoop Dogg, Mystikal, and Mia X. Master P expanded into the movie industry with No Limit Films.
MP Da Last Don
MP Da Last Don reached Number One on the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured appearances by Snoop Dogg, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, E-40, and more.
The Times and Life of Shawn Carter (2021)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Times and Life of Shawn Carter
The Times and Life of Shawn Carter: The Official Video of JAY-Z's 2021 Rock Hall Induction. An absolute All-Star cast inducts JAY-Z into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
JAY-Z, Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter
Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter’s accolades include 14 Number One albums, the most ever by a solo artist, and 22 GRAMMYs, the most in hip hop history. JAY-Z proved that hip hop could pack stadiums, when his Magna Carta tour sold out in minutes.
Vibe magazine
In addition to his landmark work as a hip hop artist, Dr. Dre is a record producer, founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment, cofounder and former president of Death Row Records. Dre is also the cofounder of Beats Electronics, a hugely successful line of headphones and speakers.
JAY-Z Shoes (1999) by Design by NikeRock & Roll Hall of Fame
JAY-Z shoes
As president of Def Jam Records, he signed Rihanna, Kanye West, and J. Cole. Hip hop’s first billionaire, JAY-Z built an empire that extends beyond music to other forms of entertainment, fashion and sports. As he says, “I’m not a businessman. I’m a business, man.”
Jay-Z acceptance speech (2021) by Rock & Roll Hall of FameRock & Roll Hall of Fame
JAY-Z acceptance speech
JAY-Z's acceptance speech at the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Everything Is Love (2019) by Recorded by The CartersRock & Roll Hall of Fame
Everything Is Love
An outspoken advocate for civil rights, JAY-Z and his wife and fellow megastar Beyoncé continue to shine a spotlight on systemic racism and injustice. His impact is felt from his home neighborhood in Brooklyn to the White House and around the world.
Kanye West / Rihanna Poster (2008)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Kanye West / Rihanna poster
Rihanna signed with Def Jam at 16 and her debut album sold nearly 2 million copies worldwide. She only continued to build her empire from there through endorsement deals, multiple GRAMMYs, a Super Bowl Halftime Show, her cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty, acting, and philanthropy.
Through their work, these moguls have also created opportunities for other aspiring artists and entrepreneurs to become music’s future superstars. They embrace an essential part of hip hop’s philosophy by giving back to the communities they came from and to communities that need their help the most. Today, they represent some of the most influential figures in the music industry.
Rock Hall EDU is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's online portal and resource guide for teachers and parents offering free lesson plans, artifact images, and materials, videos, playlists, and writing prompts all designed by Rock Hall Education staff.
Rock Hall EDU celebrates the sound and experience of youth culture across generations with Hip Hop's 50th Anniversary Collection. Use this collection to explore some of the top hip hop names over the style's first 50 years, and then go beyond Inductees and seek the newer sounds of artists like Kendrick Lamar and Lizzo. Kick back and keep things old-school, and investigate how scratching, playing a song's break, dynamic lyrics, and keen business sense contributed to hip hop's unique sound.
The Hip Hop At 50: Holla If Ya Hear Me exhibit opened at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on June 30, 2023.
