Recognizing August 11, 2023, as the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

Whereas, on August 11, 1973, Clive DJ Kool Herc Back to School Jam Whereas DJ Kool Herc Whereas this style would later be known as hip-hop disk jockey master of ceremonies DJ MC, Whereas, over the past 50 years, hip-hop has become a lifestyle, woven into American culture not only through music, but also fashion, art, film, and dance; Whereas hip-hop as an art form was created through Black ingenuity and is a part of not only African-American culture, but American culture; Whereas blues from the Mississippi Delta to Memphis, Tennessee, jazz from New Orleans, Louisiana, gospel from Chicago, Illinois, and soul from Detroit, Michigan, created the foundation that hip-hop emerged; Whereas, since its origins, hip-hop has evolved and grown over half a century because of its ability to adapt to the people and region in which it is reimagined; Whereas, in New York City, hip-hop’s birthplace, east coast hip-hop has produced artists such as the Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Grandmaster Flash, Run-D.M.C., Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and the Wu-Tang Clan; Whereas, in the 1990s, artists like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Tupac, and more recently Nipsey Hussle emerged in California’s west coast with G-Funk, which originally spurred out of the Watts riots in the late 1960s; Whereas bass and trap music originated in southern cities like Atlanta, Georgia, and Memphis, Tennessee, with artists such as Project Pat, Three 6 Mafia, Outkast, T.I., and Mannie Fresh; Whereas midwestern cities like Chicago, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri, have produced artists such as Nelly and Common who have brought their respective regional influences to the mainstream; Whereas hip-hop’s spread has mixed cultures and traditions from the slowed down style of Texas artists like UGK and Scarface, to the rhythmic beats of Miami, Florida, bass made popular by 2 Live Crew, to the Latin influence and energy of artists like Pitbull and Bad Bunny; Whereas bounce originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the 1980s, and has elevated thanks to artists such as Juvenile, Magnolia Shorty, and Big Freedia who is recognized as the Queen of Bounce Whereas new school hip-hop continues to dominate the music industry selling out concert venues and stadiums with artists like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Megan Thee Stallion, Eminem, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Drake, Lil Nas X, GloRilla, and Ice Spice; Whereas artists like MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, Lisa Left Eye Whereas music producers such as Jermaine Dupri, J. Dilla, DJ Khaled, and Tay Keith have transcended hip-hop with their own styles of creativity, instrumentation, and deep musical knowledge; Whereas film directors and producers like John Singleton, Spike Lee, Rick Famuyiwa, and Yvette Lee Bowser have brought hip-hop and Black culture to the big screen with hit movies and TV shows like Poetic Justice, Boyz n the Hood, School Daze, Brown Sugar, and A Different World; Whereas hip-hop has always been about telling a story, whether it be a story of pain and struggle, love and romance, religion, or politics; Whereas hip-hop has always been a creative mouthpiece for all people to share their own individual realities; Whereas hip-hop has provided outlets for people all over the world to include extracurricular activities, youth counseling, analytical thinking, entertainment, employment; Whereas hip-hop has had an immense economic impact, and, as an industry, generates more than a billion dollars annually, further creating opportunities for economic mobility and wealth creation for Black people in the United States; Whereas hip hop has evolved as a platform to advocate for social, political, and economic needs of all people, including environmental justice, education, healthcare, and voting rights; and Whereas, on August 11, 2023, the Federal Government, States, cities, and towns will observe the 50th anniversary of hip-hop: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) recognizes the contribution of hip-hop to American art and culture; (2) recognizes the 50th anniversary of hip-hop; (3) encourages Members of the House of Representatives to plan activities and support the recognition of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop; and (4) encourages local governments in the United States to build partnerships with local hip-hop entities and other members of creative arts to expand the true essence of hip-hop culture.

Summary: This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and the contribution of hip-hop to American art and culture. Further, it encourages local governments to build partnerships with local hip-hop entities and other members of creative arts.