As I already mentioned, it's disputed wether the different elements actually came together naturally, or if it was merely a PR stunt. Especially for Graffiti the later is true, since the foundations of modern Style-Writing (Tagging, Throw-ups) can be found in late 60s New York City. A few years before a Hip Hop culture even existed. Lots of early Writers were more into Punk than Rap music.

This artistic style quickly started to spread around the world. Mainly due to artists who weren't active part of the culture. Jean-Michel Basquiat was one of them. Although he didn't see him as Writer and mostly did Tags, his achievement for Graffiti was to bring street art to the galleries as the first afro-american artist.

And then there was this book from 1984. Co-published by Henry Chalfant, who already was co-producer of the 1983 documentary Style Wars (mentioned earlier, search for the tag #50yearsofhiphop). The other photographer inolved in this project was Martha Cooper. Through Dondi and other Writers she came in touch with Hip Hop in 1979. Subway Art is seen as the bible of Graffiti and a landmark in photographic history. For more context watch this interview: https://youtu.be/xz1JqCiDpVo
Also Cooper, born in 1943, is taking pictures to this day. Watch this recent footage of her following the legendary 1up-crew from Berlin. https://youtu.be/i9V18HUoZcc

Now to the music: LL Cool James (Ladies Love Cool James) aka GOAT (first time ever I heard this acronym) released his debut single "I need a Beat" in 1984 and had one of the first commercially successful careers in Rap alongside fellow artists like Run-D.M.C or later Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. Said artists were all signed to Def Jam, whose co-founder Rick Rubin produced all them. Metalheads know him as producer of Slayer.
#50yearsofhiphop
https://youtu.be/BVkaN--0ld0

Artistically more groundbreaking in 1984 were the Fat Boys (originally Disco 3). Only one of the trio, Kool Rock-Ski, is still alive. They are widely known for using Beatbox in their songs. The group opened doors for other Beatboxers like Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh and Rahzel. Also they brought a comedic element to Rap. Beatboxing used to mimick drum machines. Beatboxers assisted MCs out of necessity, when no drum machine or other soundsystems were available. https://open.spotify.com/track/3RjUvypvWDOo3vCIx4F2pS?si=VYELaNO-TJmC0yfhrBo7kA
#50yearsofhiphop

Still think this is a must-read to understand Musk and all the other tech-billionaires: https://netzpolitik.org/2023/longtermism-an-odd-and-peculiar-ideology/

Well played sir

What are you?

Doublespeak is huge at Microsoft. I can confirm.

TIL that if Bill Gates told a Microsoft employee "You’re full of shit. That’s the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever heard", that meant that the software mogul was amazed and impressed. "In the lore of Microsoft, if Bill says that to you, you’re made", an employee said. [Source]

Swiss cops just doing their everyday racial profiling in Geneva. Winnie Byanyima is the executive director of UNAids since 2019. https://twitter.com/Winnie_Byanyima/status/1694315774448443750?s=20

Another movie that was groundbreaking for the global spread of Hip Hop is Beat Street, released in 1984. It especially made Breakdancing popular. Interestingly enough also in the former GDR where it was shown in cinemas. https://youtu.be/pAKv1IFJ8uU
#50yearsofhiphop

Several Breakdancing battles between the New York City Breakers and the Rock Steady Crew were included in the film.
https://youtu.be/-yrTRt10wME

The later was one of the first famous Crews, founded in 1977, and became a franchise name for other B-Boys worldwide. Original members were Jimmy D and Jojo. Later also Crazy Legs and Ken Swift, whose styles were extremely influental. In the interview they date back the beginning of Breakdancing to 1971. Several different dancing styles that became part of B-Boying had their origin years earlier, though. The original Rock Steady Crew is also part of the Zulu Nation.
https://youtu.be/OCDw72YDlrg

Moreover they had an appearance in the movie Flashdance and a hit called "(Hey you) The Rock Steady Crew". https://youtu.be/--7afsHgRww
#50yearsofhiphop