Hip Hop originated in the 1970s in the Bronx, New York. DJ Kool Herc is often credited as the genre’s founding father.
Hip hop is more than just a musical genre; it’s a cultural movement that encompasses various elements including deejaying, emceeing, breakdancing, and graffiti art. This dynamic art form has its roots deeply planted in the streets of New York City, as a creative outlet for the youth to express their reality, struggles, and aspirations.
Through its evolution from underground block parties to global dominance, hip hop has maintained its core values of authenticity, storytelling, and innovation. Artists such as DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash have paved the way for generations of musicians to continue redefining the boundaries of music and cultural expression. The influence of hip hop can be seen across fashion, language, and even politics, solidifying its role as a major cultural phenomenon of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
The Origin Of Hip Hop
Hip hop’s genesis traces back to the 1970s in the Bronx, a cultural revolution led by African American and Latino communities. Delve into the genre’s rich history and test your knowledge with engaging hip hop trivia questions.
Evolution Of Hip Hop Music
Hip Hop trivia questions dive into the genre’s rich legacy, tracing back to the 1970s Bronx. Test your knowledge on its evolution from street beats to a global phenomenon.
Iconic Hip Hop Artists
Explore the legends of the rap world with our Hip Hop Trivia Questions. Dive into the careers of influential hip hop artists and test your knowledge on the pioneers who shaped the beats and rhymes of the streets.
Artist | Contribution |
Tupac Shakur | Poetic lyrics and social activism |
Notorious B.I.G. | Pioneering East Coast Hip Hop |
Grandmaster Flash | Innovating DJing and turntablism |
Queen Latifah | Advocating for women’s rights in her music |
Lauryn Hill | Integrating soulful singing with rapping |
Classic Hip Hop Tracks
Test your knowledge of the golden era with our hip hop trivia questions, spanning classic tracks that shaped the genre. Dive into the rhythmic roots and lyrical legends that continue to inspire beats and flow across the globe.
Song Title | Artist | Release Year |
“Rapper’s Delight” | Sugarhill Gang | 1979 |
“The Message” | Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five | 1982 |
“Fight The Power” | Public Enemy | 1989 |
101 Hip Hop Trivia Questions And Answers
Here are 101 hip hop trivia questions and answers, categorized for your convenience:
General Hip Hop Knowledge
Question: Who is widely considered the “Father of Hip Hop”?
Answer: DJ Kool Herc.
Question: What year did hip hop music originate?
Answer: The late 1970s (1970s).
Question: What is the birthplace of hip hop?
Answer: The Bronx, New York City.
Question: Which group is known for their album “Straight Outta Compton”?
Answer: N.W.A.
Question: What does the term “MC” in hip hop stand for?
Answer: Master of Ceremonies.
Question: Who won the first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album?
Answer: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (Will Smith).
Question: What is the real name of rapper Eminem?
Answer: Marshall Bruce Mathers III.
Question: Which hip hop artist starred in the movie “8 Mile”?
Answer: Eminem.
Question: What is the famous record label founded by Dr. Dre?
Answer: Aftermath Entertainment.
Question: Who is known as the “Queen of Hip Hop Soul”?
Answer: Mary J. Blige.
Old School Hip Hop Trivia Questions
Question: Which duo released the iconic album “Paid in Full” in 1987?
Answer: Eric B. & Rakim.
Question: What was the first rap song to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart?
Answer: “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang.
Question: What is the stage name of the rapper born William Michael Griffin Jr.?
Answer: Rakim.
Question: Who released the album “Fear of a Black Planet” in 1990?
Answer: Public Enemy.
Question: What is the group Run-DMC’s real names (individual members)?
Answer: Joseph Simmons (Run), Darryl McDaniels (DMC), and Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay).
Question: What was the title of LL Cool J’s debut album?
Answer: “Radio.”
Question: Which female rapper released the album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”?
Answer: Lauryn Hill.
Question: Who is known as the “Human Beatbox” and was a member of The Fat Boys?
Answer: Darren “Buff Love” Robinson.
Question: Which group released the hit “It Takes Two” in 1988?
Answer: Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock.
Question: What was the stage name of the rapper born Christopher Wallace?
Answer: The Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls).
90s Hip Hop Trivia Questions
Question: Who released the album “Illmatic” in 1994?
Answer: Nas.
Question: What group released the album “The Score” in 1996?
Answer: Fugees.
Question: What was the title of Dr. Dre’s debut solo album released in 1992?
Answer: “The Chronic.”
Question: Which hip hop duo released the album “Black Sunday” in 1993?
Answer: Cypress Hill.
Question: What was the real name of the rapper Tupac Shakur?
Answer: Lesane Parish Crooks.
Question: Which group released the album “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” in 1993?
Answer: Wu-Tang Clan.
Question: Who won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1999 for “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It”?
Answer: Will Smith.
Question: Which rapper released the album “Ready to Die” in 1994?
Answer: The Notorious B.I.G.
Question: Who sang the hook on Dr. Dre’s “No Diggity”?
Answer: Bill Withers.
Question: What was the title of Jay-Z’s debut album released in 1996?
Answer: “Reasonable Doubt.”
2000s Hip Hop Trivia Questions
Question: Which rapper released the album “The Marshall Mathers LP” in 2000?
Answer: Eminem.
Question: Who is known as the “King of the South”?
Answer: T.I.
Question: What was the title of 50 Cent’s debut album?
Answer: “Get Rich or Die Tryin’.”
Question: Which duo released the album “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” in 2003?
Answer: OutKast.
Question: What was the real name of the rapper Nate Dogg?
Answer: Nathaniel Dwayne Hale.
Question: Who released the album “The College Dropout” in 2004?
Answer: Kanye West.
Question: Which rapper was known as “Hova”?
Answer: Jay-Z.
Question: Who won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2008 for “Tha Carter III”?
Answer: Lil Wayne.
Question: Which rapper starred in the movie “8 Mile”?
Answer: Eminem.
Question: What is the real name of the rapper Common?
Answer: Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr.
2010s Hip Hop Trivia Questions
Question: Which rapper released the album “To Pimp a Butterfly” in 2015?
Answer: Kendrick Lamar.
Question: Who won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2016 for “To Pimp a Butterfly”?
Answer: Kendrick Lamar.
Question: What is the real name of the rapper Drake?
Answer: Aubrey Drake Graham.
Question: Which rapper released the album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” in 2010?
Answer: Kanye West.
Question: What is the real name of the rapper Nicki Minaj?
Answer: Onika Tanya Maraj.
Question: Who won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2019 for “Invasion of Privacy”?
Answer: Cardi B.
Question: Which rapper released the album “2014 Forest Hills Drive” in 2014?
Answer: J. Cole.
Question: Who is known as the “Trap Queen”?
Answer: Fetty Wap.
Question: Which rapper released the album “Blonde” in 2016?
Answer: Frank Ocean.
Question: What is the real name of the rapper Future?
Answer: Nayvadius Wilburn.
Contemporary Hip Hop
Question: Which rapper released the album “DAMN.” in 2017?
Answer: Kendrick Lamar.
Question: What is the real name of the rapper Logic?
Answer: Sir Robert Bryson Hall II.
Question: Who released the album “Astroworld” in 2018?
Answer: Travis Scott.
Question: Which rapper released the album “Culture” in 2017?
Answer: Migos.
Question: What is the real name of the rapper Cardi B?
Answer: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar.
Question: Who won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2020 for “Igor”?
Answer: Tyler, the Creator.
Question: Which rapper released the album “Eternal Atake” in 2020?
Answer: Lil Uzi Vert.
Question: What is the real name of the rapper Megan Thee Stallion?
Answer: Megan Jovon Ruth Pete.
Question: Who won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2021 for “King’s Disease”?
Answer: Nas.
Question: Which rapper released the album “After Hours” in 2020?
Answer: The Weeknd (Note: While primarily an R&B artist, this album has strong hip hop influences).
Collaborations and Features
Question: Who featured on Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind”?
Answer: Alicia Keys.
Question: Which rapper is featured on Rihanna’s “Umbrella”?
Answer: Jay-Z.
Question: Who collaborated with Eminem on “Love the Way You Lie”?
Answer: Rihanna.
Question: Which rapper is featured on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop”?
Answer: Wanz.
Question: Who featured on Kanye West’s “Gold Digger”?
Answer: Jamie Foxx.
Question: Which rapper is featured on Drake’s “Hotline Bling”?
Answer: Cha Cha (D.R.A.M.).
Question: Who collaborated with Iggy Azalea on “Fancy”?
Answer: Charli XCX.
Question: Which rapper is featured on Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse”?
Answer: Juicy J.
Question: Who collaborated with Usher on “Yeah!”?
Answer: Lil Jon and Ludacris.
Question: Which rapper is featured on Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love”?
Answer: Jay-Z.
Lyrics and Verses Hip Hop Trivia Questions
Question: What rapper famously said, “I’m not a businessman; I’m a business, man”?
Answer: Jay-Z.
Question: Finish the lyrics: “I got 99 problems but a…”
Answer: “…bitch ain’t one” (from Jay-Z’s “99 Problems”).
Question: In which song did Nas declare that “Hip Hop is dead”?
Answer: “Hip Hop Is Dead” by Nas.
Question: Who famously rapped, “You better lose yourself in the music, the moment”?
Answer: Eminem (from “Lose Yourself”).
Question: Which rapper said, “Started from the bottom, now we’re here”?
Answer: Drake.
Question: Finish the lyrics: “It was all a dream, I used to read…”
Answer: “…Word Up! magazine” (from The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy”).
Question: Who rapped, “Don’t save her, she don’t wanna be saved”?
Answer: J. Cole (from “No Role Modelz”).
Question: In which song did Kanye West proclaim, “I am a God”?
Answer: “I Am a God” by Kanye West.
Question: Who said, “I’m just tryna make some money to feed my daughter”?
Answer: 50 Cent (from “Many Men (Wish Death)”).
Question: Finish the lyrics: “Straight outta Compton, crazy motherf***er named…”
Answer: “…Ice Cube” (from N.W.A.’s “Straight Outta Compton”).
Album Covers and Art
Question: Whose face is on the cover of Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly”?
Answer: Tupac Shakur.
Question: What animal is featured on the cover of Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint”?
Answer: Cheetah.
Question: Which iconic hip hop duo is depicted as babies on their album cover?
Answer: OutKast (from “Stankonia”).
Question: What color is the background on the cover of Nas’s “Illmatic”?
Answer: Blue.
Question: Who is on the throne on the cover of The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Ready to Die”?
Answer: The Notorious B.I.G.
Question: What is the dominant color on the cover of Kanye West’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”?
Answer: Red.
Question: Which legendary hip hop group is depicted in a triptych on their album cover?
Answer: A Tribe Called Quest (from “Midnight Marauders”).
Question: Who is featured on the cover of Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”?
Answer: Lauryn Hill.
Question: What is the predominant color on the cover of Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic”?
Answer: Green.
Question: Which iconic hip hop duo is depicted as a two-headed monster on their album cover?
Answer: EPMD (from “Business as Usual”).
Hip Hop Culture
Question: What does “B-Boy” stand for in hip hop culture?
Answer: Break Boy or Breakdancer.
Question: What is the art of rhyming in hip hop called?
Answer: MCing or Rapping.
Question: Which dance style is closely associated with hip hop culture?
Answer: Breakdancing (B-boying/B-girling).
Question: What is the term for the rhythmic spoken delivery of rhymes in hip hop?
Answer: Flow.
Question: In hip hop slang, what does “dope” mean?
Answer: Excellent or cool.
Question: What does “bling” refer to in hip hop culture?
Answer: Flashy jewelry.
Question: What is the significance of the term “throwback” in hip hop fashion?
Answer: Vintage or old-school clothing.
Question: What is the art of creating rhythmic beats using turntables and DJ equipment?
Answer: DJing or Turntablism.
Question: Which graffiti artist is known for his association with hip hop culture?
Answer: Jean-Michel Basquiat
FAQs For Hip Hop Trivia Questions
What Are 5 Interesting Facts About Hip-hop?
Hip-hop originated in the Bronx during the 1970s. It blends DJing, emceeing, breakdancing, and graffiti. The genre went mainstream with Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” in 1979. Hip-hop culture heavily influences fashion and language. Eminem became the best-selling hip-hop artist of the 2000s.
What Are Good Questions About Hip-hop?
What defines hip-hop culture? Who are the pioneers of hip-hop? How has hip-hop evolved over the years? What influences hip-hop lyrics? How does hip-hop impact fashion?
What Was Hip-hop First Called?
Hip-hop’s original term was “b-boy,” referring to break boys or breakdancing. It later evolved into the broader culture of hip-hop.
Who Was The First Rapper?
DJ Kool Herc is widely known as the first rapper, pioneering hip-hop music in the 1970s in the Bronx, New York.
Conclusion
Wrapping up our hip hop journey, let’s applaud the rich culture behind every question explored. Test your knowledge often and keep the legacy alive. Stay curious, share the fun with friends, and watch this vibrant music scene continue to shape hearts and playlists worldwide.
Keep grooving to the beat of hip hop history!