KGNU’s Lyra Stone sat down with Dr. Reiland Rabaka to discuss hip-hop’s influence and legacy.

More than fifty years after its emergence in Black American communities, hip-hop remains one of the most influential cultural movements in the United States. While it is often defined by its most commercial expressions, scholars like Dr. Reiland Rabaka argue that the movement is far broader and more complex.

Rabaka, Director of the Center for African and African American Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, has spent two decades teaching hip-hop as an academic subject. In his classes, students explore the movement’s historical roots, cultural impact, and the ways it continues to evolve across generations.

As hip-hop marks its fiftieth anniversary, Rabaka says interest in the subject remains strong, reflecting a continued desire to understand its depth beyond popular stereotypes. From the classroom to the broader cultural landscape, hip-hop remains a dynamic force in American life.

This story aired on The Morning Magazine, KGNU’s weekday morning show featuring local news and community members. Click here to listen to other episodes of The Morning Magazine.