20th Century Hip Hop

Grandmaster Flash, whose real name is Joseph Saddler, was born on January 1, 1958, in the Bronx, New York City, to immigrant parents from Barbados. Saddler's father was a record collector and introduced him to Caribbean and African American music, sparking his interest in music. Saddler attended Samuel Gompers High School and learned how to repair electronic equipment there. After high school, he became involved in the earliest New York DJ scene, attending parties set up by early luminaries like DJ Kool Herc and Disco King Mario.

1 year ago | [YT] | 2

20th Century Hip Hop

Richard Colón, popularly known as Crazy Legs, was born on January 1, 1966, in Manhattan, New York City. He was introduced to "breaking" by his older brother at the age of nine and became an original member of the Rock Steady Crew after its foundation in 1979. He accidentally invented the "W" move, which he demonstrated in a dance performance in April 1981, and later became the President of the Rock Steady Crew.

1 year ago | [YT] | 1

20th Century Hip Hop

John Fletcher, also known as "Ecstasy," was an American rapper and member of the legendary hip-hop group Whodini. He was born on June 7, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York.


Fletcher, along with Whodini group members Jalil Hutchins and DJ Drew Carter (Grandmaster Dee), formed the group in 1982. Whodini quickly became known for their unique sound, blending rap, R&B, and funk music to create a style that was innovative and influential in the early days of hip-hop.

1 year ago | [YT] | 2

20th Century Hip Hop

Darren Robinson, born on June 10, 1967, and known by various aliases such as Big Buff, Buff Love, Buffy, The Human Beat Box, The Ox That Rocks, and DJ Doctor Nice, was a prominent figure in the hip-hop scene of the 1980s. As a member of The Fat Boys, he played a crucial role in popularizing beatboxing, a vocal percussion form that became integral in the hip-hop culture.

1 year ago | [YT] | 3

20th Century Hip Hop

DJ Hollywood, whose real name is Anthony Holloway, is an American MC and disc jockey born on December 10, 1954. He is considered by Kurtis Blow and Pete DJ Jones to be the "Father" of the Hip Hop style because he was the first rapper to use the hip-hop style of rapping. Before introducing hip hop style rapping, he had already impacted DJing by creating a set that included singing, rhyming, and call and response where he interacted with the crowd. Holloway's renown spread rapidly, and he became a regular at the Apollo, even having his name added to the marquee.

1 year ago | [YT] | 2

20th Century Hip Hop

Leonard Hilton McGurr, known as Futura, is an American graffiti artist born on November 17, 1955. He began painting illegally on New York City's subway in the early 1970s, often collaborating with other artists such as ALI. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1974 to 1978, during which time he traveled extensively around the world. In the early 1980s, he exhibited with Patti Astor at the Fun Gallery, alongside notable artists Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Richard Hambleton, and Kenny Scharf.

1 year ago | [YT] | 3

20th Century Hip Hop

Henry Lee Jackson, also known by his stage name Big Bank Hank or Imp the Dimp, was an American rapper and music manager. He was born on January 11, 1956, in the Bronx, New York City, and grew up in the same area as other early rap performers, including DJ Kool Herc and Coke La Rock. Jackson won several wrestling championships at Bronx Community College, where he graduated with an A.S. degree in oceanography. However, he was unable to secure a position in that field, so he began working at a Bronx nightclub called The Sparkle.

1 year ago | [YT] | 2

20th Century Hip Hop

Jason William Mizell, better known by his stage name Jam Master Jay, was an American musician, DJ, and producer. He was born on January 21, 1965, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the Hollis neighborhood of Queens.


Jay, along with Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels, formed the pioneering hip-hop group Run-DMC in the early 1980s. Jay's contributions to the group were invaluable, as he was the DJ and producer for the group, creating many of their classic tracks and innovative sound.

1 year ago | [YT] | 2

20th Century Hip Hop

Sharon Green, born in 1962, is considered the "first female rapper" or emcee, known by the rap name MC Sha-Rock. She was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, and grew up in the South Bronx, New York City, during the earliest years of hip hop culture. She has been referred to as the "Mother of the Mic" within the hip-hop community, signifying her role as a prominent female figure among the early rappers. As a member of the first hip-hop crew to appear on national television, known as the Funky 4 + 1, her style of delivering raps on early mixtapes influenced notable rappers like MC Lyte and DMC (born Darryl McDaniels) of Run-DMC.

1 year ago | [YT] | 2

20th Century Hip Hop

Richard Quitevis, known professionally as DJ Qbert or Qbert, is an American turntablist and composer. He was born on October 7, 1969, in San Francisco, California, to Filipino immigrant parents from Bacolod, Negros Occidental and Ilocos Sur. Qbert grew up in San Francisco's Excelsior District on Moscow Street and graduated from Luther Burbank Middle School and Balboa High School in 1987.

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