146 Fun Facts About Hip Hop

Which Bronx DJ turned his Black Spades street gang into the Universal Zulu Nation and cut 1982's 'Planet Rock'?

Afrika Bambaataa built the Universal Zulu Nation out of the Black Spades and, with 'Planet Rock', gave hip hop its electro strand; he is counted among breakbeat DJing's originators alongside Kool Herc.

Which Run-D.M.C. album contains 'Walk This Way' and 'It's Tricky'?

Raising Hell (1986) holds 'It's Tricky', 'My Adidas' and the Aerosmith collaboration 'Walk This Way', which reached number four on the Hot 100 and carried the album to number three on the Billboard 200.

Which member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five is credited with coining 'hip hop' as an Army-style cadence?

Keith Cowboy of the Furious Five scatted 'hip/hop/hip/hop' in 1978 to tease a friend who had just enlisted, mimicking a marching cadence; DJ Lovebug Starski also claims a hand in the phrase.

Trap music takes its name from Southern slang for what kind of place?

A 'trap' is a house where drugs are sold; lyrical references to the trap appeared as early as 1991, though the modern trap sound did not crystallise until around 1999.

Besides DJing, MCing, breakdancing and graffiti, what is hip hop culture's 'fifth element'?

The Universal Zulu Nation pushed 'knowledge of self' as a fifth element so that hip hop would be a culture with values, not just a party.

In which borough of New York City is Hip Hop widely considered to have originated?

The Bronx is recognized as the birthplace of Hip Hop, with pioneering DJs hosting block parties in the 1970s that laid the foundation for the genre.

What song, released in 1979, is often credited with being the first commercially successful rap single?

While "King Tim III (Personality Jock)" by Fatback was released shortly before, The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" is widely recognized for introducing rap music to a broad mainstream audience.

Which DJ is credited with pioneering the breakbeat technique that underpins hip hop?

DJ Kool Herc's innovative use of isolating and extending instrumental breaks in funk and soul records created the rhythmic foundation for early Hip Hop.

Which acclaimed 1994 debut album by Nas is a cornerstone of East Coast hip hop?

Illmatic showcased Nas's lyrical prowess and vivid storytelling, becoming a landmark album that influenced a generation of rappers.

What was the title of Missy Elliott's debut album, released in 1997?

Supa Dupa Fly, produced entirely by Timbaland, was a groundbreaking album that solidified Missy Elliott's unique sound and vision in hip hop.

In what year was the pioneering group Run-DMC inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Run-DMC entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2009, the second hip hop act inducted, two years after the first rap group went in.

In what year did rapper Tupac Shakur tragically pass away?

1996 ended Tupac's life at 25, days after a shooting on the Las Vegas Strip following a Mike Tyson fight; The Notorious B.I.G. was killed the following March.

Which album, initially promoted as a retirement project, was released by Jay-Z in 2003?

The Black Album, released in November 2003, was billed as Jay-Z's farewell and came with a 'retirement' concert at Madison Square Garden; he returned with Kingdom Come in 2006.

In what year did Eminem release his major-label debut album, The Slim Shady LP?

The Slim Shady LP, released in 1999, was Eminem's second studio album and his major-label debut, introducing his Slim Shady alter ego to a wider audience.

Which 1988 Public Enemy album, their second, holds 'Rebel Without a Pause' and 'Don't Believe the Hype'?

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back was the first hip-hop album to top the Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll; the Bomb Squad's dense, siren-filled production is the reason.

Which record label was co-founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin in 1984?

Rubin started the label in his NYU dorm room; its first release was by his own punk band, Hose, before it went on to launch LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy.

Which West Coast rapper released the influential album The Chronic in 1992?

The Chronic is Dr. Dre's debut solo album and a seminal work in G-funk, introducing a new sound to West Coast hip hop.

What group released the iconic album Straight Outta Compton in 1988?

Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A is a landmark album that brought gangsta rap to the mainstream and sparked controversy with its explicit lyrics.

What is the real name of the rapper Common?

Born Lonnie Rashid Lynn in Chicago, Common first recorded as Common Sense and later won an Oscar for co-writing 'Glory' from the film Selma.

Who released My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in 2010?

Kanye's fifth studio album is widely regarded as one of his most ambitious, built around a sprawling cast of collaborators.

Which group, known for its jazz-infused sound, released the album The Low End Theory in 1991?

A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory is a seminal album in jazz rap and alternative hip hop, praised for its innovative production and lyrical depth.

What record label was founded by Sean 'Diddy' Combs in 1993?

Bad Boy Records came from Combs being fired by Uptown; Biggie and Ma$e followed, and the label became Death Row's East Coast rival.

Who performed 'Lose Yourself', the Oscar-winning song from 8 Mile?

'Lose Yourself' won Eminem the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Which rapper is often referred to as the 'King of the South'?

T.I. crowned himself 'King of the South' early in his career and titled his 2006 album King; his 2003 record Trap Muzik helped give the trap subgenre its name.

In what year was The Notorious B.I.G. killed?

The Notorious B.I.G. was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting in March 1997, just six months after Tupac Shakur's death, fueling the East Coast-West Coast rivalry narrative.

Nas's 'Ether' was aimed at which rapper, whose 'Takeover' had fired first?

Jay-Z's 'Takeover' was the first official album diss to name the feud outright; Nas answered with 'Ether'.

What smooth, synth-heavy West Coast subgenre did Dr. Dre popularize with The Chronic?

G-funk, short for gangsta-funk, blended funk samples with gangsta rap lyrics, creating a distinctive and highly influential sound on the West Coast.

Which Queensbridge duo released The Infamous in 1995?

Mobb Deep's The Infamous (1995), home to 'Shook Ones (Part II)', was largely produced by Havoc with Prodigy on the mic; the duo came out of the Queensbridge Houses.

Which trio won a 1994 Grammy for 'Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)'?

Digable Planets, the trio of Butterfly, Ladybug Mecca and Doodlebug, won the 1994 Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group with 'Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)', a jazz-rap hit that reached the Hot 100 top 20.

Which city is widely considered the birthplace of trap music?

Atlanta, Georgia, is largely credited with originating and popularizing trap music, a subgenre of hip hop characterized by its aggressive beats and lyrical themes of street life.

Which group released the song "Fight for Your Right"?

The Beastie Boys' "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)" became an anthem, blending hip hop with rock and showcasing their mischievous style.

Sugar Hill released Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's 'The Message', rap's turn to social commentary, in July of which year?

1982's 'The Message' was mostly the work of Sugar Hill staffer Duke Bootee and Melle Mel, the only Furious Five member actually on it; 'Don't push me, 'cause I'm close to the edge' did the rest.

Which artist is known for the album Get Rich or Die Tryin', released in 2003?

Get Rich or Die Tryin' was 50 Cent's highly successful major-label debut, featuring hit singles like "In Da Club" and solidifying his status as a rap superstar.

Which director is known for iconic hip hop music videos such as "No Scrubs" and "Hate Me Now"?

Williams's fish-eye lenses and saturated colours defined late-90s rap video style; 'No Scrubs' won him the 1999 MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video.

Which Brooklyn rapper was born Christopher Wallace?

The Notorious B.I.G. was born Christopher Wallace in Brooklyn in 1972; he first rapped as Biggie Smalls until a dispute over that name pushed him to the longer moniker.

Which record label was founded by Master P?

No Limit Records, founded by Master P in 1991 and known for its tank logo, dominated Southern hip hop in the late 1990s with a relentless release schedule.

Which artist released the album good kid, m.A.A.d city in 2012?

Kendrick Lamar released good kid, m.A.A.d city in October 2012 on Top Dawg Entertainment and Aftermath, subtitling it 'a short film by Kendrick Lamar'; ScHoolboy Q is his TDE labelmate.

Which N.W.A member's 1990 solo debut was AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted?

Ice Cube left N.W.A in late 1989 over royalties and made AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (1990) in New York with Public Enemy's production team, the Bomb Squad.

Which rapper teamed with Talib Kweli as Black Star on a 1998 album?

Mos Def and Talib Kweli recorded Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (1998) for Rawkus Records, naming the duo after Marcus Garvey's Black Star Line shipping company.

Which rapper released the powerful track "Mama Said Knock You Out"?

"Mama Said Knock You Out" was a comeback hit for LL Cool J, demonstrating his lyrical prowess and cementing his status as a formidable MC.

Which late-1980s collective grouped A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and the Jungle Brothers?

The Native Tongues, built around the Jungle Brothers, De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, shared an Afrocentric, playful style; Queen Latifah and Monie Love were also members.

Which Wu-Tang member shared a 1996 Grammy with Mary J. Blige?

Method Man and Mary J. Blige won the 1996 Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group with 'I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By'.

Which magazine is dedicated to hip hop music and culture, often referred to as 'The Bible of Hip Hop'?

The Source began in 1988 as a one-page newsletter for two Harvard students' radio show; its five-mic album rating became rap's most coveted score and earned it the 'Bible of Hip Hop' tag.

What is the real name of RZA from Wu-Tang Clan?

A founding member and de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, he also produced the beats that shaped the group's sound.

Which artist released the album Doggystyle in 1993?

Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle was the first debut album ever to enter the Billboard 200 at number one, riding the G-funk sound Dr. Dre had built on The Chronic the year before.

Which group released the Grammy-winning album The Score in 1996?

The Score by Fugees was a massive success, blending hip hop, R&B, and reggae, and featuring hit singles like "Killing Me Softly with His Song."

Which record label was founded by Dr. Dre and Suge Knight in 1991?

Death Row Records became one of the most successful and controversial labels in hip hop, largely defining the G-funk era of the 1990s.

Which artist is known for their song "Hot in Herre"?

'Hot in Herre' was Nelly's first Billboard Hot 100 number one in 2002 and was knocked off the top only by his own follow-up, 'Dilemma'; it also won the first-ever Grammy for Best Male Rap Solo Performance.

Which rapper's 'Gangsta's Paradise' was Billboard's top single of 1995?

Coolio's 'Gangsta's Paradise', built on Stevie Wonder's 'Pastime Paradise' and featured in Dangerous Minds, was Billboard's year-end number one single of 1995 and won the Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance.

Which Chic song supplied the bassline for 'Rapper's Delight'?

'Rapper's Delight' rode a replayed version of the bassline from Chic's 'Good Times' (1979); Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards threatened to sue and were credited as co-writers.

Chuck D and Flavor Flav front which Long Island group?

Public Enemy formed in Long Island in 1985 around Chuck D and clock-wearing hype man Flavor Flav, with Terminator X on the turntables and the Bomb Squad producing.

In breaking, what is the upright dancing done before dropping to the floor called?

Toprock is the standing, upright part of a b-boy set, danced before the drop into downrock footwork, freezes and power moves such as the windmill.

What does the acronym N.W.A stand for, referring to the pioneering gangsta rap group?

N.W.A is an abbreviation for 'Niggaz Wit Attitudes,' the name of the highly influential hip-hop group from Compton, California.

Which Long Island duo's 1988 debut Strictly Business began a run of 'Business' album titles?

EPMD, Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith from Brentwood, Long Island, followed Strictly Business (1988) with Unfinished Business, Business as Usual and Business Never Personal.

At which film director's request did Public Enemy write 'Fight the Power' in 1989?

Spike Lee asked Public Enemy for an anthem for Do the Right Thing (1989); 'Fight the Power' runs through the film, and an extended version later opened Fear of a Black Planet.

Licensed to Ill, the Beastie Boys' 1986 debut, set what milestone on the American album chart?

Licensed to Ill was the first rap LP to reach number one on the Billboard 200, in March 1987, and went on to become the best-selling rap album of the 1980s.

Which show, whose 1988 American pilot was hosted by Run-DMC, was its network's first devoted to the genre?

Yo! MTV Raps, MTV's first hip hop show, was modelled on an earlier MTV Europe programme; Run-DMC hosted the August 1988 pilot before Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Doctor Dré took over.

Which New York turntablist is credited with inventing scratching, reputedly while being scolded by his mother?

Grand Wizzard Theodore, then a Bronx teenager, discovered scratching around 1975 when he held a record in place while his mother scolded him about the noise; he is also credited with the needle drop.

Which Harlem crew of Cam'ron, Jim Jones and Juelz Santana released Diplomatic Immunity in 2003?

The Diplomats, or Dipset, were Harlem's Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and Freekey Zekey; their 2003 double album Diplomatic Immunity came out through Roc-A-Fella.

Which 1983 Herbie Hancock single put Grandmixer D.ST's scratching on MTV?

'Rockit' (1983), from Herbie Hancock's Future Shock, carried Grandmixer D.ST's turntable scratching onto MTV and won the Grammy for Best R&B Instrumental Performance.

Which Seattle rapper topped the Hot 100 in 2013 with 'Thrift Shop'?

Macklemore and producer Ryan Lewis took 'Thrift Shop', with Wanz on the hook, to number one on the Hot 100 in early 2013 as an independent release, then won Best Rap Album at the 2014 Grammys.

Which single earned DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince the first-ever Grammy for Best Rap Performance, in 1989?

'Parents Just Don't Understand' won a Grammy the duo boycotted, because the rap award was not going to be televised. The category lasted two years before splitting into solo and group prizes.

Which 2018 honour for DAMN. had never gone to an artist outside classical or jazz?

The Pulitzer Prize for Music went to Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. in 2018, the first winner outside classical or jazz; the album also took Best Rap Album at that year's Grammys.

Which rapper's 1994 hit 'Regulate', featuring Nate Dogg, sampled Michael McDonald's 'I Keep Forgettin''?

Warren G's 'Regulate' (1994), sung with Nate Dogg over Michael McDonald's 'I Keep Forgettin'', reached number two on the Hot 100 and anchored the Above the Rim soundtrack.

'Old Town Road' beat the 16-week Hot 100 record held by 'Despacito' and which other song?

'One Sweet Day' by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men (1995) and 'Despacito' (2017) shared the 16-week mark until 'Old Town Road' ran to 19 weeks in 2019; the Billy Ray Cyrus remix won two Grammys.

How many Grammys did Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' win in 2025?

'Not Like Us' won five Grammys in February 2025: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song and Best Music Video; Mustard produced the Drake diss.

In 2021 Cardi B's 'Bodak Yellow' became the first solo single by a female rapper to earn which certification?

Diamond means 10 million units in the US; 'Bodak Yellow' (2017), Cardi B's first Hot 100 number one, reached that mark in March 2021, a first for a female rapper's solo single.

Travis Scott's 2018 album Astroworld takes its name from what?

Six Flags AstroWorld, the defunct Houston theme park that closed in 2005, gave Travis Scott's album its name; Astroworld spawned 'Sicko Mode' and lent its name to the festival where a 2021 crowd crush killed ten.

Migos, the trio of Quavo, Offset and the late Takeoff, was founded in 2008 in which Georgia town?

Migos formed in Lawrenceville, in Gwinnett County northeast of Atlanta, in 2008; Quavo, his nephew Takeoff and Offset popularised the triplet flow that shaped a generation of trap delivery.

Before Megan Thee Stallion in 2021, which female rapper won Best New Artist in 1999?

Lauryn Hill won Best New Artist in February 1999 after The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill; Megan Thee Stallion took the same award in 2021, the night her 'Savage' remix with Beyoncé won two Grammys.

Doja Cat's first Hot 100 number one, 'Say So', came from which album?

Hot Pink (2019) carried 'Say So', which reached number one in May 2020 after a Nicki Minaj remix; Doja Cat was born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, and Amala was her 2018 debut.

Ice Spice broke through in late 2022 with which TikTok-viral song?

'Munch (Feelin' U)', produced by RiotUSA, went viral on TikTok in August 2022; Ice Spice, born Isis Gaston in the Bronx, had met the producer at SUNY Purchase.

Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage was actually born in which city?

21 Savage was born in London and moved to Atlanta at seven; his British citizenship became public after a 2019 immigration arrest, and Her Loss (2022) with Drake was his third Billboard 200 number one.

J. Cole's 2018 album KOD set a then-record with how many simultaneous top-20 hits on the Hot 100?

KOD placed six songs in the Hot 100's top 20 in one week in April 2018, breaking the Beatles' 1964 mark of five; Drake's Scorpion topped that within months.

Post Malone's 2018 album Beerbongs & Bentleys contained which Hot 100 number one featuring 21 Savage?

'Rockstar', featuring 21 Savage, spent eight weeks at number one from late 2017 before Beerbongs & Bentleys arrived; 'Psycho' with Ty Dolla Sign also topped the chart, and the album was nominated for Album of the Year.

Juice WRLD's 2018 breakthrough single, which peaked at number two on the Hot 100, was called what?

'Lucid Dreams', built on a sample of Sting's 'Shape of My Heart', peaked at number two in 2018; Juice WRLD, born Jarad Higgins in Chicago, died in December 2019 six days after his 21st birthday.

Which Lil Baby album spent five weeks atop the Billboard 200 and was the best-selling album of 2020?

My Turn (2020) was the year's best-selling album in the US and included 'The Bigger Picture', Lil Baby's response to the George Floyd protests, which earned two Grammy nominations.

Which collective did Tyler, the Creator lead before his solo career?

Tyler, the Creator co-founded Odd Future (Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All) in Los Angeles in 2007; his later solo albums Igor and Call Me If You Get Lost each debuted at number one and won Best Rap Album.

In 2017 which rapper became the first act to top the Billboard 200 in consecutive weeks with two different albums?

Future topped the Billboard 200 with Future and then Hndrxx in consecutive weeks in February 2017, a first; the self-titled album's 'Mask Off' became his first top-ten Hot 100 hit as a lead artist.

Which sports star appeared in Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX halftime show alongside SZA and Samuel L. Jackson?

Serena Williams, raised in Compton, crip-walked during 'Not Like Us' at Super Bowl LIX in February 2025; Kendrick Lamar, the first rapper to headline the show twice, had shared the 2022 bill with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Eminem.

Which Shepherd's Bush rapper scored his first UK number one in 2023 with 'Sprinter', alongside Dave?

Central Cee, from Shepherd's Bush in west London, took 'Sprinter' with Dave to number one in June 2023, where it stayed for ten weeks; his 2022 single 'Doja' had already reached the top three.

Cardi B's Invasion of Privacy made her the first solo female artist to win which Grammy?

Invasion of Privacy (2018) won Best Rap Album at the 2019 Grammys, the first win by a solo female artist; it was also nominated for Album of the Year.

Which Bronx apartment building is widely called the birthplace of hip hop?

1520 Sedgwick Avenue, in the West Bronx, hosted DJ Kool Herc's back-to-school party in its recreation room on August 11, 1973, the date treated as hip hop's birthday.

Who organized the August 11, 1973 back-to-school party that DJ Kool Herc played?

His sister Cindy Campbell rented the building's recreation room and charged 25 cents for girls and 50 for boys to raise money for school clothes; the date is marketed as hip hop's birthday.

Who was the first rapper signed to a major label, releasing 'Christmas Rappin'' on Mercury in 1979?

Kurtis Blow signed to Mercury in 1979, the first rapper on a major label, and 'Christmas Rappin'' was his debut single; 'Basketball' (1984) and 'If I Ruled the World' (1985) followed.

Which single was the first rap record certified gold by the RIAA?

'The Breaks' by Kurtis Blow, released in 1980 on Mercury, was the first rap single certified gold by the RIAA; its call-and-response 'that's the breaks' hook runs over six minutes.

Which singer and producer founded Sugar Hill Records and produced 'Rapper's Delight'?

Sylvia Robinson, who had sung 'Pillow Talk' in 1973, founded Sugar Hill Records with her husband Joe, assembled the Sugarhill Gang and produced 'The Message'; she is called the 'Mother of Hip Hop'.

The Sugarhill Gang was formed in 1979 in which New Jersey town?

Its members were Big Bank Hank, Wonder Mike and Master Gee.

Which 1981 Blondie song was the first US number one single to feature rap vocals?

'Rapture' topped the Hot 100 in March 1981; Debbie Harry's rap name-checks Fab 5 Freddy, who had taken the band to Bronx hip hop events, and Grandmaster Flash.

Which 1990 single was the first hip hop song to top the Billboard Hot 100?

'Ice Ice Baby' reached number one in November 1990, the first rap single to top the Hot 100; Vanilla Ice lifted the bassline of Queen and David Bowie's 'Under Pressure' without initial credit.

Which 1990 album was the first hip hop album to reach diamond status?

Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, MC Hammer's 1990 album carrying 'U Can't Touch This', was the first hip hop album certified diamond by the RIAA for ten million US units.

Which Kraftwerk melody did Afrika Bambaataa's 'Planet Rock' borrow?

'Planet Rock' (1982) lifted the melody of Kraftwerk's 'Trans-Europe Express' and the rhythm of 'Numbers'; producer Arthur Baker built it on a Roland TR-808 rented through a Village Voice ad.

Which film is regarded as the first hip hop motion picture?

Wild Style (1982), directed by Charlie Ahearn, starred graffiti writer Lee Quiñones as Zoro and featured Grandmaster Flash, Fab 5 Freddy and the Cold Crush Brothers.

Which 1984 hip hop film was produced by Harry Belafonte?

Beat Street (1984), produced by Harry Belafonte, followed a South Bronx DJ named Kenny Kirkland and featured Grandmaster Melle Mel, Afrika Bambaataa and the Treacherous Three.

Which Barbadian-born rapper is known as the 'Human Beat Box'?

Doug E. Fresh, born in Barbados and raised in Harlem, earned the 'Human Beat Box' tag for his mouth-made drums; 'La Di Da Di' (1985) with Slick Rick is among the most sampled songs ever.

Which mid-1980s feud, sparked by a UTFO B-side, produced dozens of answer records?

The Roxanne Wars began when 14-year-old Roxanne Shanté answered UTFO's 'Roxanne, Roxanne' with 'Roxanne's Revenge' (1984), freestyled in one take, and dozens of answer records followed.

Which Bronx breaking group, formed in 1977, appeared in Flashdance and Beat Street?

Their 1983 single '(Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew' hit the UK top ten.

Who was the first rapper to perform at a Grammy Awards show, in 1989?

Kool Moe Dee rapped on the 1989 Grammy telecast, the first rapper to perform at the ceremony; a Treacherous Three alumnus, he feuded for years with LL Cool J over 'How Ya Like Me Now'.

Which Brooklyn trio's 'Magic's Wand' is credited as the first rap song with a music video?

Whodini's 'Magic's Wand' (1982), produced by Thomas Dolby, is credited as the first rap song given a music video; the Brooklyn trio followed with 'Friends' and 'Freaks Come Out at Night'.

Which soul legend sued Eric B. & Rakim over sampling on their debut Paid in Full?

James Brown, whose grooves underpin much of Paid in Full (1987), took Eric B. & Rakim to court over unlicensed samples, one of the disputes that ignited the debate over sampling.

Which DJ co-founded Boogie Down Productions with KRS-One and was killed after their debut?

Scott La Rock, the DJ who co-founded Boogie Down Productions with KRS-One, was shot dead in August 1987 months after their debut Criminal Minded; KRS-One then founded the Stop the Violence Movement.

Which producer helmed De La Soul's 1989 debut 3 Feet High and Rising?

Prince Paul, then of Stetsasonic, produced 3 Feet High and Rising (1989), whose samples ranged from Johnny Cash to Steely Dan and the Turtles, who sued over 'You Showed Me'.

How did Slick Rick lose the sight that led to his trademark eye patch?

He was born in Mitcham, south London, to Jamaican parents.

Which Marley Marl-led collective did Big Daddy Kane join in 1986?

The Juice Crew, the Queensbridge collective run by Marley Marl and Mr. Magic, took in Big Daddy Kane in 1986; his 1988 debut Long Live the Kane featured 'Ain't No Half Steppin''.

Salt-N-Pepa's 1986 debut Hot, Cool & Vicious made them the first female rap act to earn what?

Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986) went gold and then platinum, the first such certifications for a female rap act, driven by 'Push It'; Salt-N-Pepa won a Grammy in 1995 for 'None of Your Business'.

Which Queen Latifah album was the first by a solo female rapper to go gold?

Black Reign (1993) was the first album by a solo female rapper certified gold; its single 'U.N.I.T.Y.' won Queen Latifah the 1995 Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance.

Which rapper wrote the early gangsta rap track '6 in the Mornin'' on a Roland TR-808?

Ice-T's '6 in the Mornin'' (1986), built on a stripped-down Roland TR-808 beat, is an early gangsta rap template; he later fronted the metal band Body Count and joined Law & Order: SVU as Odafin Tutuola in 2000.

A federal judge declared which 2 Live Crew album legally obscene in 1990?

As Nasty As They Wanna Be (1989) was ruled obscene by US District Judge Jose Gonzalez in June 1990, the first album so declared; the Eleventh Circuit overturned the ruling in 1992.

Which Houston DJ created the 'chopped and screwed' technique?

DJ Screw slowed records to a crawl and cut between two copies to create 'chopped and screwed', sold on hand-dubbed tapes from his Houston home; he led the Screwed Up Click and died in 2000.

Which Memphis group won the Best Original Song Oscar in 2006 for a Hustle & Flow track?

Three 6 Mafia won Best Original Song at the March 2006 Academy Awards for 'It's Hard out Here for a Pimp' from Hustle & Flow, performing the track on the telecast.

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's Hot 100 number one 'Tha Crossroads' was a tribute to whom?

'Tha Crossroads' (1996) was reworked as a tribute to Eazy-E, who had signed Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to Ruthless and died of AIDS in 1995; it spent eight weeks at number one and won a 1997 Grammy.

Which producer's Detroit group Slum Village preceded his acclaimed final album Donuts?

J Dilla, born James Yancey in Detroit, founded Slum Village before his solo work; Donuts came out on 7 February 2006, his 32nd birthday, three days before his death.

Masked rapper Daniel Dumile modeled his metal mask on which Marvel villain?

MF DOOM took his name and metal mask from Marvel's Doctor Doom; Daniel Dumile had rapped as Zev Love X in the late-1980s trio KMD before reinventing himself as the masked villain.

Which Philadelphia hip hop band became Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show house band in 2014?

The Roots, formed in Philadelphia by Black Thought and Questlove in 1987, moved with Jimmy Fallon from Late Night, which they had backed since 2009, to The Tonight Show in February 2014.

Which production duo formed by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo hails from Virginia Beach?

The Neptunes, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, met as seventh-graders at a Virginia Beach summer camp for gifted students and went on to produce 'Grindin'', 'Hot in Herre' and 'Drop It Like It's Hot'.

Where was producer Timbaland born and raised?

He broke through producing Aaliyah's One in a Million and Missy Elliott's Supa Dupa Fly.

Which rapper's first five albums all debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, a first?

DMX's first five albums, from It's Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998) to Grand Champ (2003), all debuted at number one, a first for any artist; the Yonkers rapper died in April 2021.

Which group won the first Grammy for Best Rap Album, in 1996?

Lauryn Hill became the first woman to win it a year later with the Fugees.

Who directed 8 Mile, the 2002 film loosely based on Eminem's life?

Curtis Hanson, who had made L.A. Confidential and Wonder Boys, directed 8 Mile (2002), shot largely in Detroit, with Eminem as Jimmy 'B-Rabbit' Smith Jr.

Which rap album was the first to win the Grammy for Album of the Year, in 1999?

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill won Album of the Year in February 1999, the first hip hop album to do so; Hill's five wins that night set a record for a woman at one ceremony.

Which Outkast album won the 2004 Grammy for Album of the Year?

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, a double album pairing Big Boi's and André 3000's discs, won Album of the Year in February 2004; 'Hey Ya!' and 'The Way You Move' both reached number one.

Which teen drama gave Drake his first fame, playing Jimmy Brooks?

Drake played wheelchair-using Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation from 2001 to 2009, releasing three mixtapes independently before signing with Lil Wayne's Young Money.

Nicki Minaj was born in which country?

Nicki Minaj was born Onika Maraj in Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and moved to Queens at five; her 2010 debut Pink Friday opened with 375,000 US sales.

Which Lil Wayne album was Billboard's best-selling US album of 2008?

Tha Carter III sold just over a million copies in its first week in June 2008, the year's biggest opening, and finished as Billboard's best-selling US album of 2008 with 'Lollipop' as its lead single.

Kanye West recorded 'Through the Wire' under what condition?

Kanye West rapped 'Through the Wire' with his jaw wired shut, two weeks after a near-fatal October 2002 car crash in Los Angeles; the single helped launch The College Dropout in 2004.

Where did the teenage Tupac study acting, jazz and ballet alongside Jada Pinkett?

Tupac attended the Baltimore School for the Arts from 1986, studying acting, poetry, jazz and ballet and befriending classmate Jada Pinkett, before his family moved to Marin City, California, in 1988.

Which 1992 film gave Tupac his first starring role, as Roland Bishop?

Juice (1992), directed by Ernest Dickerson, gave Tupac his first starring role as the volatile Roland Bishop; he had been a roadie and dancer for Digital Underground before going solo.

The Notorious B.I.G.'s posthumous double album Life After Death yielded which two Hot 100 number ones?

'Hypnotize' and 'Mo Money Mo Problems' both topped the Hot 100 in 1997; Life After Death, released 16 days after Biggie's murder, was later certified diamond.

Which Chicago drill rapper's 'I Don't Like' was remixed by Kanye West in 2012?

Chief Keef's 'I Don't Like' (2012), produced by Young Chop, put Chicago drill on the map; Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music remix with Pusha T and Jadakiss followed that year.

Ol' Dirty Bastard famously interrupted whose 1998 Grammy acceptance speech?

Shawn Colvin was accepting Song of the Year for 'Sunny Came Home' in February 1998 when Ol' Dirty Bastard took the microphone, complained that Wu-Tang had lost Best Rap Album to Puff Daddy and declared 'Wu-Tang is for the children'.

Which LA rapper sold his 2013 mixtape Crenshaw for $100 a copy, and had Jay-Z buy 100 of them?

Nipsey Hussle's $100-a-copy gamble worked, and Jay-Z's $10,000 order was the headline; his only studio album, Victory Lap, was Grammy-nominated before he was killed outside his store in 2019.

Who was the first female rapper inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 2023?

Missy Elliott entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November 2023 in her first year of eligibility, the first female rapper inducted; she was honoured alongside Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow.

Which DJ founded the first rap group inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 2007?

Flash pioneered the fingertip 'Quick Mix Theory' of DJing.

Which rapper's 'Old Town Road' spent 19 weeks at number one in 2019?

Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road', first uploaded in late 2018, spent 19 weeks at number one in 2019 after a remix with Billy Ray Cyrus, the longest run in Hot 100 history at the time.

Snoop Dogg was a torchbearer and closing-ceremony performer at which Olympics?

Snoop Dogg carried the Olympic torch through Saint-Denis before the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, worked the Games as an NBC correspondent and performed with Dr. Dre in the closing ceremony's Los Angeles handover.

Which character does Ludacris play in the Fast & Furious films?

Tej Parker started as a Miami garage owner in 2003's 2 Fast 2 Furious and became the crew's hacker; Roman Pearce is Tyrese Gibson's character.

Megan Thee Stallion's 'Savage' went viral on TikTok thanks to what?

A dance challenge created by TikTok user Keara Wilson sent 'Savage' viral in March 2020; the Beyoncé remix then topped the Hot 100 and won two Grammys.

Which Houston group scored a 1991 hit with 'Mind Playing Tricks on Me'?

Geto Boys' 'Mind Playing Tricks on Me' (1991), sampling Isaac Hayes's 'Hung Up on My Baby', peaked at number 23 on the Hot 100 and put Houston's Rap-A-Lot Records on the map.

Cypress Hill's 'Insane in the Brain' earned the group its first what?

'Insane in the Brain' (1993) reached number 19 on the Hot 100 and brought Cypress Hill its first Grammy nomination, for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, at the 1994 awards.

Which Atlanta group, featuring CeeLo Green, released Soul Food in 1995?

Goodie Mob, the Atlanta quartet of CeeLo Green, Big Gipp, Khujo and T-Mo, released Soul Food in 1995; its track 'Dirty South' helped name the region's sound.

Lauryn Hill's Miseducation sold how many first-week copies in 1998, then a record for a woman?

It went on to win Album of the Year and Best R&B Album at the 41st Grammys.

Which two labels jointly released The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in August 1998?

Ruffhouse and Columbia, Chris Schwartz's Philadelphia label and its major-label distributor, released The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on 25 August 1998; Hill wrote and produced almost all of it, with guests including Carlos Santana and D'Angelo.

Missy Elliott was the first female rapper inducted into which institution?

Missy Elliott entered the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June 2019, the first female rapper inducted; the same year she became the first female rapper to receive MTV's Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

Missy Elliott was born in 1971 in which Virginia city?

Missy Elliott was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, in 1971, the only child of a power-company dispatcher and a former Marine; she later teamed with fellow Virginian Timbaland.

Rakim is credited with pioneering which lyrical technique in hip hop?

Rakim's internal and multisyllabic rhymes, with rhymes landing mid-line rather than only at line ends, set the template on Paid in Full (1987) and three more albums with Eric B.

Big Pun's 1998 debut Capital Punishment set which milestone for a Latino solo act?

Capital Punishment (1998) was the first hip hop album certified platinum by a Latino solo act; discovered by Fat Joe, the Bronx rapper Big Pun released it on Terror Squad and Loud, and it peaked at number five.