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1970s: The Birth of Hip-Hop
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DJ Kool Herc throws a back-to-school party in the Bronx, introducing breakbeats and the foundation of hip-hop.
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The Sugarhill Gang releases "Rapper's Delight", the first rap single to gain mainstream attention.
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MTV debuts; hip-hop videos like Run-DMC’s "Rock Box" bring the genre to a wider audience.
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Breakdancing becomes a global phenomenon with films like Breakin’ and Beat Street.
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Run-DMC and Aerosmith collaborate on "Walk This Way", blending hip-hop with rock.
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N.W.A releases Straight Outta Compton, spotlighting West Coast hip-hop and social issues.
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Hip-hop officially surpasses rock in influence, according to a 2015 study by Queen Mary University and others.
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Dr. Dre releases The Chronic, introducing G-funk and solidifying the West Coast's dominance.
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Nas drops Illmatic, a landmark in lyrical and narrative depth.
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Eminem’s The Slim Shady LP introduces hip-hop to new global audiences.
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OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below wins Grammy for Album of the Year, showcasing hip-hop’s creative diversity.
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The Black Eyed Peas’ "Boom Boom Pow" spends 12 weeks at #1, blending hip-hop with electronic beats.
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Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Kendrick Lamar redefine modern hip-hop with personal storytelling and experimental sounds.
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K-pop groups like BTS and BigBang cite hip-hop as a major influence in their music and choreography.
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Kendrick Lamar wins the Pulitzer Prize for DAMN., a milestone for hip-hop as an art form.
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Lil Nas X’s "Old Town Road" blends hip-hop and country, dominating charts for 19 weeks.
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Hip-hop continues to influence R&B, jazz, and global genres like Afrobeat.
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Celebrations of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary highlight its impact on music, culture, and society.