Billboard Explains: The Origins of Hip-Hop

Did you know 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop? The genre has lived through many different iterations from acts like Grandmaster Flash to LL Cool J to Tupac and Drake. It has become the number-one genre in the world with nearly 250 No.1 albums on the Billboard 200 and over 100 No.1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. So how did hip-hop begin? Who were the key players? What is the future of Hip-Hop? This is Billboard Explains: The Origins of Hip-Hop.