Last year marked hip hop’s 50th anniversary, a milestone highlighting its transformation of U.S. culture. Once a minority subculture born in the South Bronx, hip hop is now the mainstream, influencing music, fashion, and more. How did this happen? Amy Coddington, assistant professor of music at Amherst College, explores the pivotal role of commercial radio in hip hop’s rise, examining how the racial organization of the radio industry shaped its path to mainstream success.
Her book, "How Hip Hop Became Hit Pop" (2023), delves into how rap reached a white audience in the 1980s and 1990s. Coddington’s lecture is part of the AMS and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame series, which brings cutting-edge music research to the public.