Celebrate 50 Years of Hip Hop with Our Exclusive Sound Pack Collection

August 9, 2023

Hip Hop has been a cultural phenomenon for five decades, growing from its beginnings in the South Bronx to become more than just a music genre. Shared by people worldwide – from music to fashion, art, and language – Hip Hop continues to have a massive influence on popular culture.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Soundtrap offers an exclusive Sound Pack Collection with our favorite loops, samples, and instruments from all five decades of Hip Hop. This curated sound collection will enable our users to create their own beats and songs to commemorate the culture we all know and love.

From South Bronx to World Dominance

Legend has it that Hip Hop as a style of music was introduced on August 11, 1973, in the rec room of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in South Bronx, New York. Clive Campbell, also known as DJ Kool Herc, was hosting a back-to-school jam for his little sister and her friends in the basement of the apartment building.

Friends and neighbors showed up to dance to the classic funk and disco records at the time, including James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and The Meters. However, one thing was different this night, something that would change music history forever.

Kool Herc had practiced a new technique of DJ'ing leading up to this party. He developed a way of looping the breakbeats of the popular funk records by using two copies of the same record and moving back and forth between the turntables, to continuously play the same section of the song repeatedly. This technique would become known as the merry-go-round in DJ’ing and kept the crowd pumped for longer by only playing the most exciting part of the song, usually the breakbeat, on repeat.

The innovative style ‌of Kool Herc set the stage for other New York DJs to build on the merry-go-round technique, from needle-dropping to scratching, and the rest is history. Today, you can still hear the same break beats that early Funk & Disco DJs used in their looping, on contemporary Hip Hop tracks. Sampling of drum breaks is still present in Hip Hop subgenres like Trap and Drill music.

1520 Sedgwick Avenue, the birthplace of hip hop

The rec room of 1520 Sedgwick Ave in the Bronx, also known as the "Birthplace of Hip Hop".

50 years of culture

From its early days of underground block parties and subculture expression to its current status as a global, mainstream phenomenon, Hip Hop has been a driving force in pushing boundaries and creating new trends in fashion, art, and language. What started as a local movement of graffiti artists, breakdancers, DJs, and emcees has branched out to countless art forms and artistic expressions around the world.

1970s

The first commercial Hip Hop song to be recorded and released was “Rappers Delight” by The Sugar Hill Gang in 1979. The hit song caused a surge in demand for rap music and throughout the early ‘80s, hundreds of rap groups and Hip Hop artists rose to fame in popular music.

1980s

The late ‘80s introduced the world to Gangster Rap through artists like Ice T and N.W.A, which also brought Hip Hop to the American West Coast. Rap became a controversial topic during this time and the music industry responded with the first “Parental Advisory” stickers on album covers.

1990s

By the 1990s, Hip Hop had become more or less mainstream and experienced the so-called “Golden Age” of the genre. Hip Hop songs like Biggie Smalls's “Juicy”, Dr. Dre’s “Nuthin’ But A G Thang”, and A Tribe Called Quest’s “Can I Kick It?” topped the charts and kids around the world started wearing baggy jeans, and Timberland boots.

2000s

By the 2000s, mainstream Hip Hop had become more superficial than before with album covers, lyrical content, and music videos excessively flaunting money, luxury cars, and sexual imagery. Popular artists during this decade include 50 Cent, Eminem, T.I., Nelly, and Lil Wayne.

2010s

In the 2010s, the sound of Hip Hop would become more experimental, and different subgenres started to break out from the more classic style of rap and beats. The most prominent subgenre breaking out in the ‘10s was Trap music, a style of Hip Hop that originated in the American South and would soon take over the charts with artists like Drake, Future, Migos, and Nicki Minaj.

Hip Hop is just entering its sixth decade, but we can already see new genres deriving from the genre that might give us an inkling of where the culture is headed in the future. Subgenres like Drill, Phonk, Latin Trap, and Cloud Rap are just a few genre trends that are becoming increasingly popular. What’s in store for Hip Hop in the next few years? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, you can jump into the Hip Hop 50th Sound Pack Collection in Soundtrap and become part of the next generation of beatmakers and emcees by creating your very own Hip Hop track.

Cover image of Hip Hop 50th anniversary collection

Hip Hop sounds from five decades

Introducing Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary Collection!

Celebrate the monumental 50th anniversary of Hip Hop with our best of the best Hip Hop and Rap sound packs in one collection. Immerse yourself in the evolution of this influential genre as we take you on a captivating sonic journey through each individual decade.

Unleash the power of authentic sounds and rhythms that shaped Hip Hop from its humble beginnings to its current reign over the global music scene. This comprehensive collection features meticulously crafted samples, capturing the essence of each era and paying homage to the trailblazing artists who paved the way.

The 1970s: Step back in time to where it all began. Dive into the raw energy and soulful vibes of the birth of Hip Hop. Unearth the distinctive sounds of iconic drum breaks, gritty vinyl samples, funky basslines, and infectious melodies that ignited a cultural revolution.

The 1980s: Experience the Golden Age of Hip Hop as it took the world by storm. Relive the origins of the 808s, iconic synth riffs, and the birth of scratching. This sample pack brings you the iconic sound of block-rocking beats, uplifting samples, and electrifying vocal chops that defined an era.

The 1990s: Immerse yourself in the gritty realism and lyrical prowess of '90s Hip Hop. Embrace the boom-bap drums, soulful samples, and powerful storytelling that propelled the genre into the mainstream. Uncover the secrets behind timeless classics as you infuse your productions with the unmistakable '90s flavor.

The 2000s: Feel the shift as Hip Hop evolves into a global force. Explore the cutting-edge sounds that emerged, characterized by futuristic synths, catchy hooks, and innovative production techniques. From club anthems to introspective tracks, these sounds capture the diverse sonic landscape of the 2000s.

The 2010s and beyond: Witness the genre's evolution in the Digital Age. Immerse yourself in the trap-inspired beats, infectious melodies, and intricate sound design that dominate the contemporary Hip Hop landscape. Stay ahead of the curve with forward-thinking sounds and innovative production elements.

Access Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary Collection

Whether you're a seasoned producer, an aspiring artist, or a music enthusiast, Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary Collection is a must-have tool for crafting authentic, nostalgia-inducing, and forward-looking Hip Hop productions. Reimagine the past while shaping the future of this iconic genre.

Embrace the legacy. Embody the rhythm. Unleash the power of Hip Hop! Full access to this pack on the Music Maker and Complete Plans.

Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary Collection comes with 250+ loops, samples, and one-shot instruments inspired by every Hip Hop and Rap style. From sparkling Disco Breakbeats, through gritty ‘90s Boom Bap to the popping 808s of Latin Trap, this collection has it all. Jump in the studio now to start crafting your own beats and instrumentals, lace it with a couple of 16s and drop it for the world to hear.

Soundtrap has over 25K+ loops and sounds to jumpstart your music production. Sign up now to explore our complete sound library and create your own music today!

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