Hip-hop first was recognized in the 1970’s.  When one of hip-hop’s classic groups, Sugarhill Gang, came out with “Rappers Delight” hip-hop became popularized in less than 24 hours.

Hip-hop was derived from both R&B (rhythm and blues) and Soul music.  All three styles of music are ways that musical artists can express themselves and show their talents.

Four greatly talented Soul/R&B artists of today are Alicia Keyes (above), Beyoncé Knowles (below), Usher Raymond (picture on left, guy on the left), and James Brown (picture on left, guy on the right).

Although James Brown has a few more years of experience than the other three soul artists, they are all equally talented and loved by fans all over the world!

The founding father of Hip-hop is said to be DJ Kool Herc (Older man in the picture on the left).  Born Clive Campbell, he came to the United States in 1967 looking for a job as being a DJ.  Legend has it that DJ Kool Herc was spinning the records down at his little sisters back to school party in the Bronx the night that Hip-hop was truly born.  The party eventually moved to Ceder Park Where the audience grew to in the thousands.

DJ Kool Herc later became a member of the Famous ‘Sugarhill Gang’. They came out with the multi-billion-dollar hit single “Rappers Delight”.  The song was 15 minutes long and hit the clubs like a hurricane.  Now that the word was out about Hip-hop that’s all people wanted to be played at the clubs, house parties, and pretty much everywhere else!

After just a few plays on the radio "Rappers Delight" got well over 5,000 orders.  Sugarhill Gang's song couldn't be pressed fast enough because it was so popular!  Above is a picture of the Sugarhill Gang and their gold record with the multi-million dollar hit "Rappers Delight" on it.  To the left is a picture of Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, the alleged songwriters.