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Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: New Yorkers reflect on iconic genre’s impactful 50 years

From Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” being the first hip hop song played on the radio, to Lil Durk’s “All My Life” topping the charts today, the iconic genre is not just music in its impact.

News 12 Staff

Aug 11, 2023, 5:33 PM

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It’s one of the most influential genres of music, and it was born in the streets of the South Bronx. Of course, we’re talking about hip-hop.

From Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” being the first hip hop song played on the radio, to Lil Durk’s “All My Life” topping the charts today, the iconic genre is not just music in its impact.

MORE: Weekend filled with celebrations for hip-hop’s 50th birthday begins Friday

It all started at a back-to-school jam put on by DJ Kool Herc at 1520 Sedgwick Ave. on Aug. 11, 1973. And now in 2023, the Bronx has is celebrating in a big way.

News 12’s Asha McKenzie talked to New Yorkers about the first time they heard hip-hop and how it’s changed the world in its 50 years.

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