August 11, 2023 marks 50 years to the day since hip-hop was born. It’s a genre, a scene, a philosophy that has changed the world; not just in music, but in culture, communication, and how we see ourselves.

Over the years I’ve had the great pleasure of chatting with a ton of hip-hop legends, so I’m dusting off the crate and digging into Take 5’s past to share some of my favourites on this big anniversary.

You’ll travel to Queens with Mike D, hear Neneh Cherry shout out a pioneer in the game, and witness a young Sampa the Great talk about her hero. Ice Cube will tell you about when rap said something more, and Common will find it’s beautiful rallying power. Long live hip-hop. 50 years young, it changed everything, it gave so many a voice, and it continues to morph, empower, and bounce us into the future.

• Ice Cube: Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The Message
• Neneh Cherry : Tanya Winley - Vicious Rap 
• Common: Mos Def - Umi Says 
• Mike D (Beastie Boys) –  Nas - N.Y. State of Mind 
• Sampa the Great:  Lauryn Hill - Lose Myself