50 years of hip-hop: Its social and political power resonates far beyond its New York birthplace
Some historians say hip-hop culture all started at a party one hot August night in the South Bronx in 1973.
- Some historians say hip-hop culture all started at a party one hot August night in the South Bronx in 1973.
- Soon hip-hop culture and rap music became a global phenomenon — leading to this year marking the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
Social and political power of hip-hop
- Scholars of hip-hop and popular culture, such as Tricia Rose and Richard Iton, have highlighted the important social and political power of hip-hop.
- For example, Iton examines how through extra-political means, such as mass movements, uprisings and protests, Black people both today and historically have used popular culture and art to ignite calls for social and political change.
Connecting people, exposing issues
- Young people have been using hip-hop in their respective communities to shed light on important social issues and demand change.
- Youth all over the world are using hip-hop both as the means and the fuel to fight for social and political change.
Speaking up
- There are many Indigenous artists using rap music to engage in Indigenous resurgence as well as speak up about colonialism and racism.
- Their music video for “I Can’t Remember My Name,” intersperses footage of performers stripping off western suits and people in traditional regalia dancing.
Forging hybrid identities, outlets for stress
- In Toronto, several organizations offer after-school hip-hop programming in order to support young people in finding positive outlets for stress.
- For example, RISE Edutainment offers Black youth a community to use art as a way to understand systemic inequality.
A classic: ‘Jamaican Funk Canadian style’
To mark this momentous anniversary in hip-hop history, special events have been popping up including concerts and festivals. The Juno Awards 2023 celebrated this anniversary by showcasing some of the talented rappers north of the border including the first Canadian MC to sign an American record label, Michie Mee, playing her hit classic, “Jamaican Funk Canadian Style.”
Positively impacting young people
Over the last 50 years, hip-hop has been positively impacting young people who identify with its messaging and find comfort and solidarity in the community it creates. This culture has grown and spread over the last half-century and shows no signs of stopping. Hip-hop’s message of empowerment and the platform it provides to marginalized communities means we can expect another transformative 50 years ahead.