That Was Me First: 10 Rappers That Made Hip-Hop History

Being first doesn’t always amount to being the best. However, in most instances, it puts you in the record books all the same. Throughout the course of Hip-Hop’s existence there have been a number of acts to come along and put their stamp on the game by setting game-changing precedents yet to be established by those before them. Here are 10 MCs who chiseled their mark in Hip-Hop history at some point in their careers, by doing it, and doing it first…

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Photo: Wire Image

Run-DMC

When it comes to paving the way, nobody’s Adidas pounded the ground harder than the three homeboys from Hollis, Queens. Not only were they the first Hip-Hop artists to have a gold album. They were the first to bring a platinum plaque back to any projects, and the first to go platinum plus. The trio was also the first Hip-Hop group to get a Grammy nomination and appear on American Bandstand. Oh, and, they were the first rap act to have a video on MTV. Now pay homage.

Three 6 Mafia

When Queen Latifah announced the winner of the “Best Original Song” award at the 78th annual Academy Awards, she couldn’t help but chuckle with surprise. In 2006, Three 6 Mafia surprised even themselves when they became the first Hip-Hop group to win an Academy Award for ‘Best Original Song’ with the track, “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp” from the film, Hustle and Flow. Eminem first won the award in 2002 for “Lose Yourself” off the 8 Mile soundtrack, but DJ Paul and Juicy J became the first group to win and first Hip-Hop act to perform at the prestigious ceremony. Slob on my Oscar.

Jay-Z

Hov boasts of being the first rapper to get it popping in St. Thomas, but his history making ability hits much harder. In 2009, Jigga surpassed Elvis Presley as the solo artist who has had the most No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, with 11. Earlier this year, Hov rocked New York’s historic Carnegie Hall (MC Lyte was there first, though), one of the most bourgeois venues in the Empire State. The new Sinatra.

OutKast (Andre 3000)
Whether you hated it or loved it, Andre 3K’s eclectic tune “Hey Ya” sparked interest. And downloads. When the Apple iTunes music store launched in 2003, Outkast broke in the digital download age with style. “Hey Ya” became the first song in iTunes’ history to reach one million downloads, making it the first song to achieve platinum status online. Big boy moves.

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

Before Will Smith was a mega movie star, he was busting rhymes. Well, sort of. Partnered with DJ Jazzy Jeff, the duo were the kings of kindhearted adolescent Hip-Hop in the late ‘80s, right before rap transcended into gun bustin’ and coke selling. Before Will slowed down on the music to focus his attention on acting, the group won the first rap Grammy for the 1989 teen anthem “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” Big willy style.

The Sugarhill Gang

Whether it was the very first Hip-Hop song on wax is debatable, but what’s not up for argument is the impact the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rappers Delight” has had on the genre. TSG’s anthem is known as the first rap song to get radio play and the first Hip-Hop single to become a Top 40 hit on Billboard. Ya don’t stop.

Lauryn Hill

At the 41st Grammy Awards, Lauryn Hill won five Grammy’s for her 1998 opus, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Five! She was only nominated for 10! One of the handful of golden gramophones she took home was for, Album of The Year. It was the first time in Grammy history that a rap artist had captured a win in any major category. Victory is the sweetest thing.

MC Hammer

With genie digs and choreography Paula Abdul would be proud of, MC Hammer became one of the most popular artists in the world in the early ‘90s, regardless of genre. Hammer is the first rapper to have an album go Diamond , selling over 10 million units of his third LP, Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em. Few can touch that.

Nicki Minaj

You can’t front on Nicki M’s popularity. In just a few years, the Queens raptress has gone from virtual unknown to international megastar. The Harajuku Barbie is the first female MC to chart three successive songs in Billboard’s Top 10 R&B/Hip-Hop Songs list. Monster.

Kurtis Blow

In 1980, Hip-Hop music was in its inception and Kurtis Blow was a name that rung bells in the parks and up and down the avenues. Blow became the first rapper to sign a major label record deal (Mercury) and the first rapper to appear on national television (Soul Train). His breakout single “The Breaks” was the first Hip-Hop single to go Gold. Kurtis!!!