Coffee Break: Hip-Hop Celebration Day
by Jill Riley and Nilufer Arsala
August 11, 2025

Each year on August 11, hip-hop enthusiasts mark the day when DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cindy organized a party in the Bronx that laid the foundation for modern-day hip-hop. The holiday is known as Hip-Hop Celebration Day and was officially recognized by Congress last year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the genre.
Hip-hop has profoundly impacted popular culture, so let’s pay homage to our favorite emcees, rappers, and DJs by creating a playlist in celebration of the day!
So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs from hip-hop artists would you like to hear?
Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.
Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.
Songs Played
Run DMC- It's Tricky
LL Cool J- Mama Said Knock You Out
Lauryn Hill- Lost One
Blackalicious- Alphabet Aerobics
Little Simz- Gorilla
Kendrick Lamar- HUMBLE.
TLC- What About Your Friends?
De La Soul- Me, Myself, And I
