HISTORY OF HIP-HOP MUSIC
Hip hop music originated in 1970s block parties in New York City, specifically The Bronx...Hip hop culture, including MCing, DJing, graffiti and b-boying. In the 1930s more than a sixth of Harlem residents were from the West Indies, and the block parties of the '80s were closely similar to sound systems in Jamaica.
These were large parties, originally outdoors, thrown by owners of loud and expensive stereo equipment, which they could share with the community or use to compete among themselves, who began speaking lyrics or toasting.
Rap music emerged from block parties after ultra-competitive DJs isolated percussion breaks, those being the favorites among dancers, and MCs began speaking over the beats; in Jamaica, a similar musical style called dub developed from the same isolated and elongated percussion breaks. However, "most rappers will tell you that they either disliked reggae or were only vaguely aware of it in the early and middle '70s."
"Rappers Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang is the first song that was recorded & released by a hip hop crew, and therefore is considered the first true hip hop release, though "King Tim III" by the R&B group Fatback Band and "Groovy Ghost Show" by Casper are sometimes considered to be the first because they featured rapping, and predated "Rapper's Delight" by a few months.