In July 1981, ABC News' 20/20 program presented a groundbreaking report on rap music and breakdancing, called "Rappin' to the Beat". The segment, hosted by Steve Fox, featured interviews with prominent figures in the hip-hop scene, including Deborah Harry, Kurtis Blow, and Jocko, among others. This report marked the first time that hip-hop culture had been featured on a major network news program, providing an overview of the genre's roots in African American and Latino communities in New York City, and highlighting its growing popularity.
During the 10-minute broadcast, Steve Fox described hip-hop as personal, sexy, and energetic, and predicted that it would become a cultural force. The segment showcased the deep African American roots of hip-hop and featured b-boys and b-girls, a term coined by DJ Kool Herc. Before this historic broadcast, rap had been featured on other national television shows, such as Soul Train and Saturday Night Live, but never received the same level of attention.
"Rappin' to the Beat" provided a platform for the discussion of rap music, which was still a relatively new and unknown genre to many viewers. It helped to bring hip-hop into the mainstream and paved the way for its continued success and influence on popular culture.
