Ok I've read all on this site that a Majority don no not consider people born in 1994 90s Kids.

Ok lets get this Clear, You start having Memories when your 3, and also I don't consider Childhood to be a time where you are depressed, Yes your still a child until 10/11 but that doesn't mean your Mentality is of a child.

Here's how I prove this I will use my Life as an example.

I was born in May of 1994, I Starting having Good Memory in 1997( I remember my brother being born in March of 1997 when I was still 2, I remember our dad taking me & my older brother to the hospital and my dad picking me up so I could see the baby through the small window, he was in one of those Pre-Mature Box with the wires all on him), and I Remember some stuff from 1996.

2 years old, after May 1996 Blues clues and Discovery Zone are only 2 memories from that year

2-3 Years old, 1997 I remember dad getting I like it like that album and Big Willie Style(Will Smith) Album. The Spice Girls and the movie spice world, with Ginger being my crush. Nickelodeon and Good burger(Which I still have the recorded tape of) The year I started getting Full Long Term Memory,

3-4 Years old, Early-Mid  1998 i remember being a Ricky Martin Fan, Had his Album Vuelve (Before his 1999 hit La vida loca), Also I remember my baby brother falling down the stairs in his Walker, which was all my fault He followed me to the hallway, I still feel Guilt. I

4-5 Years old Late 1998-Mid 1999 I remember seeing Britney Spears debut on TRL, Hit me baby one more time, and running to my dad telling him "That's my girlfriend" making her my new crush, I was into so much Rap, Teen Pop, Boy Bands you name it. I thought the Backstreet boys were good, Not a CRAZY fan but still enjoyed their music, I remember the girls going crazy for them, And I was jealous because of that lol, For 5th Birthday I got a tent and La Vida Loca Single CD, and Boxing gloves

5-6 Years old Late 1999/Early 2000-Mid 2000 I remember Christmas and New years 2000, I was jealous of NSYNC but at the same time was a fan, I was jealous because alot of girls like them and thought they were cool. Internet was new to Me, and I NEVER used Windows until Windows Milleum(Or something like that) was given to us, Before that we used MS-DOS(where we played wolfenstein, Prince of persia(Original) where is carmen sandigo) And also Sept 1999 I started Kindergarten, Also During this time I starting feeling things starting to fade out a little, but it didn't hurt much.

6-7 Years old Late 2000-Mid 2001 I remember Things starting to faded out again, but this time it took impact, cause I didn't like too many new things.

7-11 Years old, Late 2001 - Mid 2005, Weird times, Things started to change and I didn't like it, Rap I liked a little in 2002/2003, but ehh. Cartoons were still ok. Dad gets screwed at work, We become lower class, stopped going outside much, Older brother started High school(He was born in 88, so he was a FULL 90s kid) and we started to become distant, which still depresses me.

11-14 Yrs old,late 2005-early 2008 Middle school brought back some excitment back to my life, music was still ehh, TV ok, I Started falling out of Cartoons and more into reality shows.

14- Now 17 Yrs Old, Late 2008-present, Life went back to crap. Music Sucks, Like Justin Bieber, Lil wayne etc, wasn't until during this time that I realized that I missed my life in the 90s. High school wasn't what I thought it would be... I remember when I was 5-10 thinking High school was going to be like american pie... but it wasn't, I dropped out in 2010.

So As you could see I'm still Legally a Child yeah, But come on.. My Childhood Ended around 2001/2002, The way Culture changed, also Changed my Family and how things were, I wasn't used to change, Becoming poor after having Good money in the family had an effect on me in the early 2000s. No child should be depressed, if it wasn't for my dads boss, I would be happy, Money changes things, and So does culture.


So you tell me, was My Childhood Really More in the 90s or 2000s? I'd say 90s, Why? Cause 2001 was such a Bad year, it Messed up my childhood, lets see Out of My life as a Child, Legally, from 1997 to 2012, My Childhood Experiences lasted from 1997(or 1996 if ya want to count it) to 2001/2002.

That is why I consider myself a 90s Kid, Most Fun in the 90s, I do not keep up with todays music, the 2000s sucked, and Me and my Older brother who is 6 years older than me felt no age difference, He grew up in the Entire 90s though. Me only 4 Years, but it was fun.

Remember Childhoods should be Reconized as happy, not sad, I Only Consider happy times, Say a person was born in 1988, they experienced the entire 90s, but lets say their lives sucked in the 90s, and was better in the 2000s? Then they would be a 2000s kid because the 2000s part of their childhood regardless of short length was a happy time.

Also I believe 1994ers is the Last year to remember the 90s, 1995 and on... No. Also I believe 1994 is the last of gen Y.

Now some Extra Memories:

- I remember Cell Phones Starting to get smaller in the late 90s, and I remember having to use Beepers.

And wrestling was on fire when I was a kid, we had WCW with sting NWO, Goldberg and the WWF with Stone cold, Kane, Undertaker, the rock, Mankind triple H.

-Nickelodeon was on fire, Blues Cllues, Alegras Window(Bet alot of ya won't remember that) Gullah Gullahs Island, THE ANGRY BEAVERS!, Catdog, Rugrats(Before 1998, before Dil), Ahhh Real Monsters, Doug Re Runs, Clarissa Explains it all Re runs, Slimetime Live in 2000. And so Much more.

I Also Remember getting my BJ's Membership card Picture taken in 1999

-  I'm Still a Videotape Guy, Never liked DVD for some reason, Maybe it's cause they only have the ability to skip chapters and Not Rewind and Fast Forward like VCRs can.

And I never had a Cell Phone, I Pod, MP3, Blackberry, or etc in my life, sad but true.

The only thing Current gen That I have is PS2, PS3, and Internet.

Also In the 90s I rocked the Original Playstation baby.

- I Got my first kiss when I was 4 in 1998, then we all went to CALDORS(Do you remember that? If not, You ain't part of 90s) Similar to that Kid from the "High Five for First kiss" Except I was younger than him(I Think that kid was 5 or 6) and we were standing up instead of sitting down.

And how could I forget... I was afraid of the Movie Face/Off during the 90s... I was AFRAID of it! lol The only reason was become of the Operation Scene lol, I grew to like it during the 2000s though.

You have a good memory.  Do you know nally?

Everybody wants to be a '90s kid ???, anyway I consider myself a '90s kid(as in, I spent the majority of my childhood in that decade, became a teenager in the late '90s), you are not really a full '90s kid, I mean maybe late '90s child/whatever. Not considering someone is in childhood because they are depressed is absurd though, did you actually mean that? You mention people born in 1994 as being the last to remember the '90s, that would really be 1996 buddy, in fact you'd have to be born in 1987 at least to fully remember the whole decade.

You have a good memory.  Do you know nally?


Thank you, And Who is Nally?

When I first read the post title, I thought this was about to be about OJ Simpson.

Nobody cares dude, and if people don't consider you a 90s kid, then you should just let it go.  Besides, what memories before the age of 10 can you hold on to?  Like the other poster said, I think 1987 is the last true year of being a kid of the decade because they were 3-13 in the decade, and was still a kid when it ended.  Plus the 90s were over by 1999, but that is another topic all together.

It is funny, the majority of the people that brag about being a 90s kid(especially those born in late 80s++) don't really talk about the 90s events or pop culture, but talk about how good it is to be one.  To those who actually lived the decade, imo that is a huge insult.  It would be like me going into the 80s board and talking about I was an 80s kid posting 10 threads talking about it, and I bet that would piss a lot of people off there too.

Also there are people like my Grandpa who was born in 1945, Who don't consider themselves a 50s Kid, He considers himself a 60s Kid, Even though he was a Kid more in the 50s than 60s, He considers himself a 60s kid because he enjoyed his childhood better during that time, Just Like myself, I Don't consider my 2000s Life as a "Kid" as Enjoyable as in was during the 90s. I prefer to Recognize the BEST and most Memorable days of my childhood than the depressing ones, Therefore I proclaim myself a 90s Kid.


Your grandpa was under 30 in the 60s, of course he would consider himself a kid...you will probably feel the same way for the 2010s.  I am in my late 20s and I still get called a kid by people over 45.

How is it absurd that a Child is not Enjoying, Living out, His Childhood when Traumatic things have happened to him that cause him to become depressed and not care?

Childhood is defined by most psychologist as the time before puberty, alot of people just consider childhood to be the period from about age 2/3(after infancy) to 12/13(before teenage years/adolescence), these are two different definitions, some people, especially girls, start puberty before age 12 or 13 but for the most part the two line up closely.

Also Full Decade or Not, Still a 90s Kid, I was a Kid in the 90s. And Late 90s or Not, The 90s are the 90s, Were things different in the Early 90s then Mid 90s? Yes, Were things Different in the Early & Mid 90s than Late 90s? Yes, But it was still the 90s.  Also I was Fulfilled as a kid For a Majority of my Time as a Child during the 90s.

You spent the majority of your childhood in the '00s, notice I said FULL '90s kid. Really, a full '90s kid or late '90s/'00s kid, does it really matter?

Also there are people like my Grandpa who was born in 1945, Who don't consider themselves a 50s Kid, He considers himself a 60s Kid, Even though he was a Kid more in the 50s than 60s, He considers himself a 60s kid because he enjoyed his childhood better during that time, Just Like myself, I Don't consider my 2000s Life as a "Kid" as Enjoyable as in was during the 90s. I prefer to Recognize the BEST and most Memorable days of my childhood than the depressing ones, Therefore I proclaim myself a 90s Kid.

Your Grandpa considers himself a '60s kid but was actually a young adult for the majority of that decade yet you consider yourself a '90s kid, something is wrong with this. I guess I can consider myself a 2010s kid even though I will spend half the decade in my 30s. You are using very arbitrary criteria(that is convenient for you specifically) for considering someone a child/ or in childhood that most people would find ridiculous.

To anyone actually "debating" or disputing this. I herby decree that JohnAvery94 is indeed a 90s kid because only 90 kids care this much about the label and put this much 'work' into proving their point.  ::)

You have a good memory.  Do you know nally?


I almost spit my drink there... ;D


Thank you, And Who is Nally?


Please, do not capitalize the n. He doesn't like that. Seriously.

Hey, whatever floats your boat. Sounds like you've decided that you're a '90s kid, congrats.

I almost spit my drink there... ;D

Please, do not capitalize the n. He doesn't like that. Seriously.


You say that like the OP didn't know that.  Looked intentional to me making me think Op has Bren here before. Not DD but one of the other annoying 90s harpies.  ::)

8 more hours till my next fudge  :D

Hey kids, have you heard Rebecca Black's song 'Friday'?  ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u9-AdPAOy0

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Thank you, And Who is Nally?


You capitalize that N?  You capitalize?  You .. you ...

http://redriverpak.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/scarfacel231006_243x227.jpg

:D

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s78/AL-B_photos/ThreadHijacked.jpg

http://politicalintegritynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/hijack4.gif

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QekME3dZuZw&feature=related

Am I a hostage since I've replied to this thread?

Am I a hostage since I've replied to this thread?


Yes.

However, you will eventually succumb to "Stockholm Syndrome" and become emotionally attached to your captors.  :o :o :o

However, you will eventually succumb to "Stockholm Syndrome" and become emotionally attached to your captors.  :o :o :o


Aaw, c'mon.

http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a480/Zomg_Coke/Stophating.jpg

:)

In my opinion anyone born in 1994 was a 90's and 00's kid.Childhood starts at 3 years of age so for them it was 1997.I consider them to be more 00's kids though because most of their childhood was spent during that decade,but their earliest childhood memories are from the late 90's.They would have been much more influenced by 00's pop culture though so I don't think of them as the true 90's kids,like someone born around 1987 or 1988 would have been having most or all of their childhood during that decade.

Aaw, c'mon.

http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a480/Zomg_Coke/Stophating.jpg

:)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N5p8IXzNdc&feature=related

I'll see your...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N5p8IXzNdc&feature=related


...and I'll raise you:

http://asset.soup.io/asset/1727/7196_89eb.gif

Oh, Lord, another "90s babies are 90s kids" thread again ::).  I thought that we squashed this 6 months ago.  I'm going to say this one more time.  IF YOU WERE JUST BORN IN THE 90s, YOU ARE NOT A TRUE 90s KID.  IN ORDER TO BE A 90s KID, YOU HAVE TO BE A CHILD IN THE MAJORITY OF THE 90s! YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER 1990 TO 1999 EVEN IF IT'S VAGUELY. YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THE EARLY 90s, MID 90s, AND LATE 90s AS A CHILD, PRETEEN AND/OR TEENAGER!  THOSE WHO WERE BORN IN 1983 TO 1987 ARE TRUE 90s KIDS.  THE REASON WHY I SAID 1983-1987 BECAUSE THEY WERE CHILDREN IN MOST OR ALL OF THE 90s, AND THEY REMEMBER THE EARLY, MID, AND LATE 90s!

  Memories from the age of three?  Shee, I can barely recall last week...

  However I know for a fact  that they were sea horses and not ducks, damn you all... 8)

   Memories from the age of three?  Shee, I can barely recall last week...

   However I know for a fact  that they were sea horses and not ducks, damn you all... 8)


According to most psychologists, most adults remember their earliest childhood between the ages of 3 and 5.  The average age for adults to remember is 3. 

Man, wtf? Not this again. Some one born in 1994 is NOT a 90s kid. It makes no sense. You were 5 at the end of the decade and you were 5 GOING ON  6 in 2000. lol. You obviously spent the majority of your childhood in the 00s. Come on, you were in 1st grade in 2000 right? Hell, I'm a '91er and I don't even consider myself a true 90s kid, I may be a hybrid because I was 8 when the 90s ended, but still I remember some of 1995 and I vividly remember 1996-1999. I was born in early 1991, so I'm some what of a late 90s kid/Y2K  era kid. I liked being a child of the new millennium , it was fun.  I remember 1996-1999.  That's THREE solid years of the 90s that I remember, that's not a 90s kid. Sure I remember good 90s cartoons/ shows, but I missed HALF the decade! 80s babies are the true 90s kids. Especially those born in the early to mid 80s. They can remember ALL the 1990s not just 1995 and up.

::)

Nope.. I was apart of the 90's Whether you like it or not, I did something to Contribute to it & Make it Better(In My Household/Family)

And it seems as though you have a Problem with it for some reason... Just because others spent MORE Years in the 90s Than Others doesn't make anyone a True Anything, You don't get a Medal for Each year you were in the 90's, So calm the Arrogance down.

I Remember 1996-1999, Like it or not, I was a Child During the 90's, and it was the BEST Time of My Childhood, Childhood for me ended in 2001/2002 for reasons I will not say, it's private. So for people being Arrogant saying their "True" 90s Kids, Calm down... My Time in the 90s was BETTER and more Fun than yours and I Guarantee that I had a  Better time in the 90s than the Arrogant "True" 90s Kids, Why? Cause their Arrogance shows they were raised Wrong.

I'm a 90s Kid Like it or not, Like it ok then good for you, Don't like it then go cry in a corner.



The only thing that I agree with you on is that most adults remember being 3 years old and that childhood begins at 3.  You are absolutely right about that, but you being a FULL 90s kid, I disagree with you on that.  You only spend 3 years as a child in the late 90s. That's not enough to say that you are a TRUE FULL 90s kid. In order to be a TRUE FULL 90s kid, you have to remember 1990 to 1999 even though it's vaguely.  You have to remember what's going on in the 90s to really appreciate the 90s.  You have to be a child in the MAJORITY of the 90s.  Remember, majority rules.

According to most psychologists, most adults remember their earliest childhood between the ages of 3 and 5.  The average age for adults to remember is 3. 


You can't really tell someone what they can and can't remember.
'Most' doesn't mean 'all'



Oh, Lord, another "90s babies are 90s kids" thread again ::).  I thought that we squashed this 6 months ago.  I'm going to say this one more time.  IF YOU WERE JUST BORN IN THE 90s, YOU ARE NOT A TRUE 90s KID.  IN ORDER TO BE A 90s KID, YOU HAVE TO BE A CHILD IN THE MAJORITY OF THE 90s! YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER 1990 TO 1999 EVEN IF IT'S VAGUELY. YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THE EARLY 90s, MID 90s, AND LATE 90s AS A CHILD, PRETEEN AND/OR TEENAGER!  THOSE WHO WERE BORN IN 1983 TO 1987 ARE TRUE 90s KIDS.  THE REASON WHY I SAID 1983-1987 BECAUSE THEY WERE CHILDREN IN MOST OR ALL OF THE 90s, AND THEY REMEMBER THE EARLY, MID, AND LATE 90s!



I detest these am i or  aren't i a 90s kid "debates" but Honestly Nicole it's reactions like yours that keep the whinny brats coming back.
Stop telling them they're not. Let them have the stupid title it they want it. I mean who cares. What does it matter if they 'qualify' or not. It's a stupid acquisition to attempt to attain but maybe it's all they have. If we stop poking them maybe the losers will die of extinction  and go away.  ::)

When I first read the title of this thread, I thought it was about a political debate that happened that year and was televised. Since 1994 was not a presidential election year, it had to be a debate for governor, or senator, or congressional election. 

Though if the title of this thread was "The 1996 Debate," it could be about THIS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yriHC1zXLCw



Cat

You can't really tell someone what they can and can't remember.
'Most' doesn't mean 'all'


True, but I was just saying IN GENERAL most adults remembering their earliest childhood between ages 3 and 5.  I know for myself, I remember being 3 in 1980, and the music at that time still sounded like the 70s.


I detest these am i or  aren't i a 90s kid "debates" but Honestly Nicole it's reactions like yours that keep the whinny brats coming back.
Stop telling them they're not. Let them have the stupid title it they want it. I mean who cares. What does it matter if they 'qualify' or not. It's a stupid acquisition to attempt to attain but maybe it's all they have. If we stop poking them maybe the losers will die of extinction  and go away.  ::)


OK, I will not respond to them anymore.  If they want to claim something that's not theirs, let them.  Let them be miserable.  I'm gone.

Who's saying FULL 90's Kid? I Am Not a FULL 90s Kid, But I am a 90s Kid, Your Arrogance showed you weren't raised right... You're Obviously Mad that I'm a 90s Kid, I don't know what your problem is but let it go... Like I said, I'm  a 90s Kid Like or not, Like it? then Good for you, Don't like it? Then Cry in the Corner it's that simple. You don't like it Obviously, so Don't get mad at Me, Leave me alone and Cry in the corner.




yoiu should take your own advice......


I ain't the one Whining, I'm saying what I am, and they come off with Arrogance, Just because I'm not a FULL 90s Kid, Doesn't mean I'm Not a 90s kid.

I May not be a Full 90s Kid, But I AM a 90s Kid.

If anyone's Whining and being arrogant it's them.


actually you started this thread and started it off like you were mad at the world.  

I'm never used the word arrogant  I think obnoxious is a far better more accurate label......and for the record I find all 90s kids whinny and the wannabe 90skids are the worst of them all.. you want the title take I am not the one keeping from you. I could care less about it.





only 23 hours until ......  :-X

When I first read the title of this thread, I thought it was about a political debate that happened that year and was televised. Since 1994 was not a presidential election year, it had to be a debate for governor, or senator, or congressional election. 

Though if the title of this thread was "The 1996 Debate," it could be about THIS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yriHC1zXLCw



Cat



that ain't a debate.......


THIS IS A DEBATE!!!!  :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRCWbFFRpnY

LMAO. Whatever you say. Continue to live in your fantasy world. In the long run when you're out working in the world  and are talking with your co- wokers who born IN the 80s about the 90s, you'll get laughed at. This is why this generation is so screwed up.  Being born in the 90s doesn't make you or I a 90s kid. I could go on and on, but I'm done with you. ::)


Nope, I did NOT Spend the Majority of my Childhood in the 2000s, Childhood ended in 2001/2002 due to Private reasons.

You get Long term memory  when your 2/3, So that would be 1994, Saying you started having memory in 1995 is a Lie, cause If I started having Some memory by 1996 and Full memory by 1997 Then you must have some Problems up there.

I was apart of the 90s Whether you or the Arrogant "True" 90s Kids, who claim they're "full" 90s Kids yet they can't Recall events properly(Like I did), All they do is Say their "True" 90s kids yet they don't recall events of the time.

And I Guarantee my 6 Years living and 4 Years of Childhood in the 90s was BETTER than the folks who claim their "True" 90s kids, why? Because their Arrogance shows they were raised Wrong.

Good Day Alzheimer's :D

OP, you're coming off sounding like an idiot and insulting people who disagree with you. Making absurd claims about not being a child because you were depressed doesn't help either.

You clearly came here trying to prove something and are getting pissy because people stated that what you said does not make sense.

Nope, I did NOT Spend the Majority of my Childhood in the 2000s, Childhood ended in 2001/2002 due to Private reasons

Yes you did spend the majority of it in the 2000s. you were at most 5 or 6 when the 90s ended. Thats nowhere near out of your childhood. 'private reasons' do not make you any less of a child

I was apart of the 90s Whether you or the Arrogant "True" 90s Kids, who claim they're "full" 90s Kids yet they can't Recall events properly(Like I did), All they do is Say their "True" 90s kids yet they don't recall events of the time.

you mentioned a few cartoons and a bit of music, that is hardly accurately recalling events. calling everyone arrogant isn't helping either. nor does telling people to go cry in a corner or telling them they were raised wrong.

clearly you came hear with something to prove. whatever it is, you didn't do it and you're not doing yourself any good by acting like a child

and I NEVER used Windows until Windows Milleum

mistake edition 1 as the microsoft tech guys call it....i'm suprised you ever used windows again if that was your first experience.

Before that we used MS-DOS(where we played wolfenstein

in 1999....? you know that game came out in 1992 right? I don't even remember seeing it available anywhere in 99...

So you tell me, was My Childhood Really More in the 90s or 2000s?

2000's

Remember Childhoods should be Reconized as happy, not sad, I Only Consider happy times,

then you have a flawed understanding of what childhood is. in the real world alot of peoples are not happy.

How is it absurd that a Child is not Enjoying, Living out, His Childhood when Traumatic things have happened to him that cause him to become depressed and not care?

that has nothing to do with being a child

Sorry but the way I lived from 2002 onward I can't consider my Childhood

whether you considering it your childhood or not, it was.

Also there are people like my Grandpa who was born in 1945, Who don't consider themselves a 50s Kid, He considers himself a 60s Kid

that doesn't even make sense. he would have been 15 in 1960. thats not a child

No ones TRYING to be a 90's Kid

yes you are. I don't know why you are making such a big deal of it but its not healthy

How is it Ridiculous? Life was better BEFORE 2001/2002, Therefore my Time in the 90s was the only time in my entire life that was great.

it may be so that that was the only time that was great for you, but that has nothing whatsoever to do with whether you were a child or not after 2001/2002. you were what? 8 in 2002. an 8 year old is a child, no matter how you try to spin it.

Kids in Africa don't have a Childhood, Why? Cause they Live in Poverty and Work and have No Time to be a Child.

yes they do have a childhood. it is just utter sheesh for the most part.

Also what Does it matter if Your a Full 90's Kid or Mid-Late 90's Kid? It doesn't matter

if it doesn't matter to you why are you making such a big deal out of it...?

All I'm Trying to do is Prove the Arrogant People Wrong

I wouldn't talk if I were you. you've said some pretty arrogant things yourself

and stop capitalizing every other word. it makes things hard to read.

Actually Alot of People I Know who were born in the 80s, who are FULL 90s kids, Consider Me a 90s Kid, Why? Cause I was Apart of their Memories and I was the Spotlight of Whoever I me

that statement doesn't even make sense

Also I'm NOT Part of this Generation, I don't like to Associate myself with the Immature Brats, Dropped out of High school because of the way people are in this generation.

whether you like it or not you are a part of this generation. and stop blaming other people for YOUR problems and decisions. YOU dropped out of highschool (a bad move by the way) because it was your choice.  you can't blame other people for that.

Also I am ALREADY working in the REAL World, Being 17 doesn't mean anything, I've been Working and Living without my parents since the age of 15, Dropped out of high school cause of idiots and cause I have to work to get money.

I somehow doubt there are many places that would have hired a 15 year old that dropped out of highschool. and again, don't blame other people for your stupid mistakes. nobody made you drop out of highschool. you made that decision yourself and are now blaming it on other people. not a good habit to get into

In the early 1970s a musical genre was born in the crime-ridden neighborhoods of the South Bronx. Gifted teenagers with plenty of imagination but little cash began to forge a new style from spare parts. Hip-hop, as it was then known, was a product of pure streetwise ingenuity; extracting rhythms and melodies from existing records and mixing them up with searing poetry chronicling life in the 'hood, hip-hop spilled out of the ghetto.

From the housing projects hip-hop poured onto the streets and subways, taking root in Bronx clubs like the Savoy Manor Ballroom, Ecstasy Garage, Club 371, The Disco Fever, and the T-Connection. From there it spread downtown to the Renaissance Ballroom, Hotel Diplomat, the Roxy, and The Fun House. It migrated to Los Angeles, where a whole West Coast hip-hop scene developed, sporting its own musical idiosyncrasies, its own wild style.

Through television shows like BET's Rap City and Yo! MTV Raps and a succession of Hollywood movies, hip-hop gained millions of new fans across America, in places far removed from the genre's Bronx roots. It spread to Europe, Asia, Africa, and nearly every continent on Earth, gaining more cultural significance as the years rolled by. Today it is one of the most potent and successful musical forms of the 20th Century.

Hip-hop is the voice of a generation that refused to be silenced by urban poverty, a local phenomenon fueled with so much passion and truth it could not help but reach the entire world. Like every musical genre that came before, hip-hop has its pioneers, artists who were essential in defining and popularizing the art form. This CD series showcases those legendary artists -- their songs and their enormous talents -- who created what today is known as rap.

The History Of Rap. How can we truthfully tell this story? There are so many different versions. Who is correct? There were approximately ten different pioneers, each of whom stakes a claim as the originator: Pete DJ Jones, Kool DJ Herc, DJ Hollywood, Eddie Cheeba, "Love Bug" Starski, Grand Master Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, Kurtis Blow, the Sugarhill Gang, Run DMC.

The names fit together like pieces to a puzzle. And as we assemble the puzzle, we have to give equal props to all, because it is the individual contributions, pieced together, that explain the true history of this billion-dollar-a-year phenomenon.

To understand the history of rap, you need to know two things:

1. Rap is talking in rhyme to the rhythm of a beat.

2. Hip-hop is a culture, a way of life for a society of people who identify, love, and cherish rap, break dancing, DJing, and graffiti.

In the early '70s, when I was about 13 or 14 and disco was monopolizing the mainstream airwaves, the rap movement was just being born. A man by the name of Pete DJ Jones was about the most notable DJ during those early days. To me he epitomized the true meaning of a DJ. He had the precise timing necessary to enable the partygoer to dance nonstop while keeping the break of a record playing continuously. He had a clean mixing style and an excellent sound system.

I remember seeing Pete at a club called McCoys on 43rd Street and Third Avenue (midtown Manhattan) in 1972. I was 13 then and got in the club by using a phony ID. What I experienced that night was something that not only changed the course of my life, but also would eventually revolutionize the music industry. Pete was New York's #1 DJ. He had an MC named JT Hollywood (not to be confused with DJ Hollywood, who came on the scene around 1973), who was the first real MC I can remember. (During those early days an MC was the master of ceremonies -- the host of the party, show, or gathering. He told the crowd where they were and the DJ's name. He motivated them to have a good time.) What really knocked me out about JT Hollywood that night was when he said to the people, "If you want to have a good time tonight, somebody say 'Oh Yeah.'" The crowd of 1,000 responded by shouting, "Oh Yeah!"

Pete DJ Jones became my hero, and I followed him everywhere. I studied him, his style, his playlist, his MCs: JT Hollywood, JJ the Disco King, and the great "Love Bug" Starski. I followed him to all of the big midtown black clubs: Nell Gwynn's, Pippins, Nemos, Justine's, Ipanemas. I became a Pete DJ Jones follower and a DJ myself later on that year.

The teenagers of the South Bronx and Harlem didn't have the money to pay for admission to the expensive midtown and downtown clubs, so they had their own parties. Along the way, clubs, house parties, and block parties sprang up all over New York ghettos, giving birth to the neighborhood DJ and MC. Something of a mutation of disco, hip-hop was also a rebellion against disco.

Kool DJ Herc, the godfather of hip-hop, was a Jamaican-born DJ who moved to the Bronx in 1967. With his unique playlist of R&B, soul, funk, and obscure disco, Herc quickly became the catalyst of the hip-hop way of life. The kids from the Bronx and Harlem loved his ghetto style, which gave birth to the concept of the B-Boy. The B-Boy -- or beat boy, break boy, Bronx boy -- loved the breaks of Kool Herc, and as a result soon created break dancing. These were the people of the hip-hop culture. While Pete DJ Jones was #1 for the black disco crowd in NYC, Herc and the B-Boys were the essence of the hip-hop movement, because of they lived the lifestyle. The way they danced, dressed, walked, and talked was unique, as opposed to most of the disco artists and fans of the time, who were not as in touch with the urban streets of America.

The B-Boy crowd was different from the middle class blacks who were represented at Pete DJ Jones' parties. There was no dress code at a B-Boy party; we were younger and wore tennis shoes, jeans, mock necks, Playboys, Kangols, sweatsuits, etc. I remember many weekends going downtown to 43rd Street and Lexington Avenue to Nell Gwynn's on Friday night to check out Pete DJ Jones, and then traveling uptown the following night on the Number 4 train to the Bronx to check out Kool Herc at the Executive Playhouse. I was torn between these two DJs. I've had many debates about Pete DJ Jones' precise timing and Kool Herc's playlist. Songs like:

"Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose (In The Jungle Groove Remix)" by James Brown. This is the national anthem of hip-hop. Every B-Boy, MC, rapper, DJ, rap group, break-dancer, and aerosol artist knew this song, and when it was played at a party or club, everyone knew it was time for the best B-Boys to do battle. Definitely the highlight of the night.

"Get Into Something" by The Isley Brothers. Many people remember The Isley Brothers for their ballads, but this song has a drum break that is incredible. Excellent for the B-Boy break-dancer in you.

"Melting Pot" by Booker T. & The M.G.'s. This song is one of my favorites. The jazz feel epitomizes what hip-hop is all about. You'll love this one.

"Listen To Me" by Baby Huey. A strictly underground song for real B-Boys and Kool DJ Herc fans. Strong intro with strong R&B tracks.

"Scorpio" by Dennis Coffey & The Detroit Guitar Band. This song was a big national hit in 1971. Very funky and with an incredible break as well. Young MC used it in "Bust A Move" as did LL Cool J in "Jingling Baby."

"It's Just Begun" by The Jimmy Castor Bunch. The song's intro is probably its most popular part: "What we're gonna do right here is go back -- way back." Check out the guitar solo and the break.

"Apache" by Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band. This is one of the records Kool DJ Herc brought over from Jamaica. A calypso hip-hop feel with incredible percussion breaks. Also check out the guitar line that the Sugarhill Gang pilfered in their version of the same song.

"Hum Along And Dance" by The Jackson 5ive. Only a real B-Boy or a hard-core Jacksons fan would know this song. It may seem unbelievable that Michael Jackson contributed to the creation of hip-hop, but if you don't believe me, check out how funky this song is.

"Love The Life You Live" by Black Heat was another of my B-Boy favorites. This song has the most incredible break for your power moves. Many people know the original by Kool & The Gang, but this version is for the real B-Boy.

"Theme From S.W.A.T." by Rhythm Heritage. Pete DJ Jones loved to cut up the break of this song whereas Kool Herc couldn't quite pull it off. Remember the TV series S.W.A.T.? We're going way back here....

"Dance To The Drummer's Beat" by Herman Kelly & Life actually came out during the end of Kool Herc's reign. Hollywood, Eddie Cheeba, Starski, and Flash made it popular in the late '70s. There is a great percussion break that became very popular, enabling the DJ to show his skills.

"King Tim III (Personality Jock)" by Fatback was the first rap record. King Tim III was a rapper from Harlem who got a break by landing a job with old school dogs of funk Fatback. He would rap during the band's musical breakdowns, entertaining the crowd with call and response. When it comes to giving credit for making the first rap record, people get amnesia. I remember him -- he deserves the credit.

It is mandatory to express the importance of these songs. You have to understand that disco music was the hottest thing out -- it was a craze that infiltrated all of American society. We were the rebels who couldn't relate. We weren't going for it. These songs represent our attitude. They feature strong R&B dance tracks, some with roots in Jamaica and Africa (via Kool DJ Herc). These are 12 of my favorites out of about 100. I love the breaks of these songs -- they enabled the B-Boys to get off their best moves, creating a circle of people around them who would watch amazed as the best would battle in dance. I was one of those B-Boy dancers and one of the best in Harlem. I loved to travel up to the Bronx and battle with the Herculoids (Kool Herc followers): The Nigga Twins, Clark Kent, D.ST, DJ Coke La Rock, etc. When I went to Pete's gigs there was rarely any competition, except for when I battled Dancin' Doug from the Polo Grounds for the crown of Harlem. I lost that night at Nell's, so I think I was about the second best B-Boy in Harlem. What a feat -- ugh -- I mean defeat! But as for Kool DJ Herc (my other hero) and the Herculoids, they blasted NYC with a trend that soon became a culture for all the world to embrace. (Did you know I changed my name to Kool DJ Kurt for a while in 1976?)

DJ Hollywood was the first rhythmic disco rapper. Unlike Herc he was not confined to the South Bronx. He would DJ downtown, midtown, and throughout the five boroughs of New York City -- although he gained his fame at Club 371 in the Bronx. His flyers read: "Featuring the Golden Voice of DJ Hollywood."

Hollywood was mainstream disco, but he was also the first DJ to interweave that sound with rhythmic rap as we all know it. And unlike the DJs and MCs before him who were basically like radio announcers generating crowd participation, Hollywood put raps together in rhythm with chants -- with eloquent, simple rhymes and a lot of crowd response. "Everybody scream!" was his house-rocker, and "Throw ya hands in the air!" became a chant heard at concerts around the world.

In 1975, '76, and '77 Hollywood became New York's #1 DJ and, space permitting, could draw up to 2,000 people on any given night. During that time Club 371 became the #1 club in the city. I remember going there back in 1977. The lines wrapped around the block. It was impossible to get in if you didn't have the juice. Luckily I knew Reggie Wells, the club's musical director, who went to CCNY with Russell Simmons and I.

As with Pete DJ Jones and Kool DJ Herc, not only did Herc and Hollywood dislike one another, but neither recognized nor respected the other's contributions. For the most part, even their fans were different. The B-Boys were from the ghetto, while disco was for the middle class and the rich. But there was hip-hop in both worlds. It was the hip-hop tug-o'-war -- disco rappers versus the B-Boys.

DJ Hollywood became another hero of mine because of his great voice. The man had style and class. DJ Junebug, the DJ behind Hollywood, was just as exceptional as Pete DJ Jones and Grand Master Flash. Tragically, he was murdered in the early '80s. God bless you, DJ Junebug.

Grand Master Flash (Joseph Saddler) earned his name with his speed on the turntables. He rose to legendary status in the world of hip-hop right as Kool Herc's reign was ending. A B-Boy to the extreme, Flash's DJ style took Herc's playlist to the next level. He was the first (even though some say it was the Grand Wizard Theodore) to utilize "scratching" and "cutting" -- taking two records and keeping the break repeating continuously -- thus rearranging the song and creating an extended instrumental groove over which the MC or rapper could entertain the crowd with raps. Flash studied the techniques of Kool DJ Herc, Grandmaster Flowers, Maboya, Plummer, and Pete DJ Jones. But it was Flash's desire to emulate Pete's style while playing the "antidisco" music favored by Herc that led to his turntable experimentations -- and took hip-hop to the next level.

In 1974 Flash began playing parties in the neighborhood and gained quite a reputation for rocking the house. Two years later he teamed up with rapper Keith Wiggins, who soon became known as Cowboy, and the pair rocked parties throughout the South Bronx. (Note: Flash, a B-Boy, did not play the same circuit as Hollywood, a disco rapper, but they were both hot at the same time.)

In 1976 Flash and Cowboy were joined by Melle Mel (Melvin Glover), Kidd Creole (Nathaniel Glover), Mr. Ness -- aka Scorpio (Eddie Morris) -- and later Rahiem (Guy Williams). Who knew then that they would become the premier rap group of the early '80s? Grand Master Flash & The Furious 5 went on to gain immense recognition in the recording industry with several hit records.

I didn't get a chance to experience Flash until late '77, because I was a DJ and an MC myself, doing disco shows in and around New York. When I did see him perform at the Hotel Diplomat, there was a spotlight on his hands. He had rings on every finger, and the reflection of the spotlight on his rings made it seem as if his hands were sparkling as he cut up the beats. He was a most incredible DJ; he inspired me to get back to the B-Boy school of hip-hop. So it was a dream come true when I finally got the chance to work with Flash & The Furious 5 in 1978. We were called Grand Master Flash & The Furious 7 (Kool Kyle was the seventh MC).

Afrika Bambaataa is a bona fide hip-hop legend. He is affectionately known as the grandfather of hip-hop, having been a part of the movement since 1972. The former gang leader of the Black Spades, Bambaataa is the founder of the Zulu Nation, an organization dedicated to peace, love, and unity. The Zulu Nation is said to have worldwide membership of more than 400,000, including some of rap music's brightest stars. Celebrated master of the beats, Bambaataa is known to have more than 25 crates of records! His 1982 hit, "Planet Rock," is still a highly sampled reference standard.

I have talked about Flash and Bambaataa in Volume 1 because they were influential during these early days. Since their records actually came out later, I will mention them in the next volume as well. Also, Run DMC and I will be mentioned in Volumes 2 and 3 although we were significant back in these early days as well.

There were many MCs, groups, and DJs who participated during the beginning of rap, and they should not go unrecognized. This "family tree" traces their lineage:

Chart #1: The Early to Mid-'70s

In the beginning there was rhythm...until something else emerged from New York City's South Bronx: a rougher, rowdier spin on funk innovators like James Brown, George Clinton, Marvin Gaye, and Sly Stone. Rap. Based on the fundamentals of "beats" (copped off other people's records) and "breaks" (assisted by a turntable and some discreet crossfading), the MCs' contrasting delivery styles soon split along two camps: Disco and B-Boys.

Disco: Appealed more to black disco crowd and stressed crowd response over actual rhyming.

Pete DJ Jones -- New York's #1 DJ, c. early '70s. His mixing style and sound system kept 'em moving with MCs the Disco King and JT Hollywood.

DJ Hollywood -- c. 1974. One of the genre's early top New York DJs; assisted by DJ Junebug, who was murdered in the early '80s. Key record: "Hollywood's World."

Eddie Cheeba -- New York's #1 DJ, c. 1975-77, earning $2,000 a night.

"Love Bug" Starski -- Goes back to the days of Pete DJ Jones. His career peaked in the mid to late '70s. Kurtis Blow: "The only guy I ever saw who could play to both crowds. Nobody could mess with 'Love Bug'!" Key record: "Gigolette."

Early Originators:


Plummer
Maboya
Grandmaster Flowers (supported James Brown at Yankee Stadium).
  All came in Jones' wake as disco DJs/MCs

Kurtis Blow -- né Walker; Kool DJ Kurt, c. 1976.
  Felt drawn to both camps for different reasons: "When I saw Pete , I realized it didn't have to be one or the other."

B-Boys: More in touch with the streets than their counterparts. Favored a tougher, rapid-fire rhyming approach.

Kool DJ Herc -- "The godfather of hip-hop"; despite his slight rhyming skills, his massive stature and sound system inspired such followers as...

"Herculoids"

Afrika Bambaataa -- Founded modern B-Boy style. Ex-Black Spades gang leader's 26 record crates made him a topflight DJ.

Grand Master Flash -- "Herculoid" who created his own aggressive turntable style. As Raheem notes: "To see Flash at that time, you'd be in awe. He'd catch in the air...handcuffed!" Accompanied by "Cowboy" Keith Wiggins, one of rap's first certified MCs, Flash formed Future Players. Often strapped for cash, they didn't seem strapped for acts, as attested by earlier efforts.

Paul Winley -- Issued two Bambaataa 12-inch singles in 1980, including "Zulu Nation Throwdown."

Bobby Robinson -- Enjoy Records (1979-82). Debuted Flash and crew ("Superrappin'") and Funky 4 + 1, which included future Furious Fivester Raheem, among others.

Sylvia Robinson, Joe Robinson, Joey Robinson Jr. -- Family-run Sugar Hill took over when Bobby Robinson of Enjoy Records dropped out of the scene.

Russell Simmons -- Then a local promoter (c. 1979-80), just taking it all in....

CHART #2: 1979-'84

Why is it so difficult to sort out hip-hop's maze of claims, counterclaims, and contradictions? Nobody worried about documenting what remained essentially a local scene, nor the diehard separation between the B-Boy and disco camps, which never acknowledged each other's contributions. With the success of Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rappin'" (1979) and "The Breaks" (1980), along with "King Tim III (Personality Jock)" (Fatback, 1979) and "Rapper's Delight" (Sugarhill Gang, 1979), the original categories evolved into "just plain ol' rap!" as Kurtis would have it.

Grandmaster Caz -- His rhymes are said to have provided the backbone of rap's (and Sugarhill's) first big hit....

Sugarhill Gang -- Michael "Wonder Mike" Wright, Guy "Master Gee" O'Brien, and Henry "Big Bank Hank" Jackson. "Rapper's Delight," "8th Wonder," "Apache," "Funk Box."

The Treacherous Three -- "Feel The Heartbeat"

Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five -- "White Lines (Don't Do It)," "Jesse." Recruited new members and kept group's name for two years following the '83 split.

Sugar Hill Records
  Rahiem: "The way they were able to get records on the street -- that was amazing! If we cut that week, the record was on the street next week."

Spoonie Gee -- "Monster Jam," "Spoonin' Rap," "Spoonie Is Back"

The Sequence -- Angie B, Cheryl the Pearl, Blondie. "Funk You Up," "Monster Jam," with Spoonie (well, what else would you call it?)

Grand Master Flash & The Furious 5 -- "The Message," "Freedom," "It's Nasty (Genius Of Love)," "New York, New York"
  Flash -- Went to Elektra with Raheem and Kid Creole
  Rahiem -- "Reflecting back, 'Message II (Survival)' and 'New York, New York' should have been on The Message album. That wasn't in our foresight, and I guess it wasn't in Sylvia's either."
  Remained rap's preeminent group until discontent with their label, and internal dissension, led to court battle, then split into rival camps. Rahiem: "I remember one Christmas 'The Message' had been out a few months, and we were expecting some kind of money, and when it didn't happen, I remember the group pitching a bitch about it. When I say 'divided,' we were divided over our decisions, and when I say 'conquered,' we were conquered...over money. In the music business, you don't get what you deserve -- only what you negotiate."

Kurtis Blow -- Early successes led to supporting Bob Marley and the Commodores on tour and management by Russ Simmons. Russell's younger brother Joey Simmons (Run) broke his arm, so he couldn't DJ for Blow in 1980. No matter; Blow produced Joey's crew as well as the Fat Boys, who both reaped considerable benefits from Kurtis' guitarist, Larry Smith, and multi-instrumental DJ, Davy DMX!

Run DMC -- "It's Like That," "Sucker MCs," "Rock Box"

Fat Boys -- né the Disco Three, c. 1983. "The Human Beatbox" Darren "Buff" Robinson (died of cardiac arrest in '95), Mark "Prince Markie Dee" Morales, Damon "Kool Rock-ski" Wimbley

Afrika Bambaataa -- "Planet Rock," "Funk You," "Renegades Of Funk," all smashes on Tommy Boy Records.
  Mr. Biggs
  Pow Wow
  MC G.L.O.B.E.
  Jazzy Jay -- producer, "Jazzy Sensation"

"Love Bug" Starski -- "At The Fever"/"You Gotta Believe," 1983

Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock -- "It Takes Two"

Whodini -- "Friends"

UTFO -- "Roxanne, Roxanne"

Juice Crew -- Roxanne Shanté, M.C. Shan, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane. All off to solo careers.

Chart #3: 1984-Present

The mid- to late '80s marked a new reality: East meets West, with the new, California-based breed seemingly taking their counterparts to the cleaners, businesswise and saleswise. For example, Ice-T's earliest pressing deal with Macola Records guaranteed him 50 percent for every 12-inch record sold. N.W.A.'s main men, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, have expanded on that capitalism to form their own production companies, labels, and spinoff ventures (has anybody forgotten the Wu-Tang Clan's "Wu Wear" yet?). Artistically, the genre split into "hard-core," with political and social commentary versus the in-your-face "gangsta" acts, who have earned razzes from Democrats and Republicans, critics, old-school acts, educators, and parent groups alike. "Music is always a reflection of where we are," quoth Rick Rubin. Indeed, what else is new?

West Coast

Duffy and Jerry Hooks -- Made first inroads with their 1981 "Gigolo Rapp" 12-inch.

L.A. Dream Team
The Egyptian Lover
Toddy Tee & Mixmaster Spade
  Kurtis: "They did the first sing-rap, like Domino does..."

Ice-T
  Widely regarded as the creator of the "crime rhyme"; early records like "6 In The Morning" and movie roles (Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo) paid off big in the studio. He hasn't looked back after the rough 1987's Rhyme Pays and landmarks like 1991's O.G. Original Gangster.

World Class Wreckin Cru
  When Prince-style funk and braids didn't move the requisite units, along came an alleged drug dealer in Eric Wright (Eazy-E), whose profits helped fund Ruthless Records (thanks to a J.J. Fad smash in '88), and a new attitude.

Tupac Shakur (2Pac)
  One of Death Row's biggest acts. His acclaimed roles in Poetic Justice and similar platinum sales weren't enough to prevent his 1996 murder in Las Vegas. His posthumous album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, moved units anyway.

Offshoots

By the '80s women had made inroads into what had been virtually an all-male preserve, including: Queen Latifah and Salt-N-Pepa.

Eric B. & Rakim -- Production wizardry proved no hedge against personal hassles. Key record: "Paid In Full"

  N.W.A. (Niggas With Attitude)
  Only two albums -- 1988's Straight Outta Compton, and '91's Efil4zaggin (read it backwards!) -- and both were hugely successful. The group fell apart in '91 due to business hassles, but they left their mark!
  Dr. Dre -- Successful solo/production career. After N.W.A. split up, Dre established Death Row Records in 1992, where he recorded his solo album The Chronic, which sold three million copies and spent eight months in the Billboard Top 10. His first artist signing was Calvin Broadus, whom Dre rechristened Snoop Doggy Dogg, yielding the multiplatinum Doggy Style album along the way. By 1994 he'd rapped on or produced albums selling nearly 28 million copies.
  Eazy-E -- d. 1995 of AIDS complications
  Ice Cube -- Like Dre, Ice Cube (né O'Shea Jackson) has expanded his provocative stance into an awesome multimedia profile, including music production, a movie production company, movie roles, and of course a string of solo work, including 1990's AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted and 1991's Death Certificate, which Entertainment Weekly called "20 tracks of the most visceral music ever allowed in public." Despite protests from the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference over his material's inflamatory stance, Cube seems hardly about to tone anything down for anybody. Why should he when his 1992 album The Predator topped Billboard's pop and R&B chats simultaneously -- the first album to do so since Stevie Wonder's Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)?
  DJ Yella
  MC Ren
  (Solo careers)

East Coast
(Hard-core)

Run DMC -- Lost steam after failure of 1988's Tougher Than Leather movie and lawsuits against their label, Profile Records; came back strong with 1993's Down With The King album.

LL Cool J -- "Rock The Bells," "I Can't Live Without My Radio," "I Need Love"

Slick Rick
  Two more successful parts of Russ Simmons' and Rick Rubin's Def Jam empire. Cool J grew into mainstream success (at last count, two possible versions -- clean and X-rated -- of his forthcoming autobiography are being discussed), while Rick went to prison for attempted murder (which yielded the aptly titled I Shouldn't Have Done It album). Two different stars, two different tales! Kurtis: " definitely acted that way...off the record!"

Public Enemy -- "Miuzi Weighs A Ton," "Don't Believe The Hype," "Welcome To The Terrordome"
  Chuck D and Flavor Flav -- Rappers
  Terminator X -- DJ, cuts  Professor Griff -- Minister of Information
  Picked up political direction when other Def Jam earners lost ground. Yo! Bum Rush The Show (1987), It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988), and Fear Of A Black Planet (1990) set a higher, socially conscious standard. Flav's string of drug busts and Chuck's growing multimedia profile (Slam Jamz Productions) have put the group on hiatus, though a new album is rumored for this year.

Boogie Down Productions -- "Stop The Violence"
  Begun by KRS-One and DJ Scott La Rock (killed, 1987) along similar lines as Public Enemy. By Any Means Necessary (1988), Ghetto Music: The Blueprint Of Hip Hop (1989), and Edutainment (1990) raised the genre's political consciousness and added D-Nice along the way

-- Researched, compiled, and designed by Ralph Heibutzki
-- Graphics: Lisa D. Quinlan

As you can see, there are many artists who stake legitimate claims to their part in the genesis of rap music. Pick your favorite. As for me, I love them all. In the end, we're all in the same gang, pieces of the same puzzle that is the history of rap. The history lesson will continue with Volume 2....

-- Kurtis Blow

There is no holiday season without "Christmas Rappin'," and there was no 1980 without "The Breaks," thanks to B-Boy, disco DJ, and old-school rap pioneer Kurtis Blow. His first five albums helped launch the international rap attack that revolutionized the music industry. His creation of the sample loop changed the way rap records are made.

Blow's seminal hit "The Breaks" was the first certified-gold rap record. Another of his major hits, "If I Ruled The World," was recently covered by star rapper Nas. Kurtis currently hosts a weekly old-school hip-hop radio show on KPWR (Power 106-FM) in Los Angeles.