Rap music and hip hop culture have had a major influence on society since emerging in the 1970s. Over the decades, rap has grown from an underground movement to a mainstream global phenomenon. This raises an interesting question – what airlines actually service airports near major rap hubs and destinations?
The Origins of Hip Hop
Hip hop culture originated in the early 1970s in New York City, especially in the Bronx. Pioneering DJs like Kool Herc began isolating and extending the instrumental breaks in funk, soul and disco records, while MCs rapped over these beats. Graffiti art and b-boying/breakdancing were also elements of the emerging hip hop scene.
In the late 1970s, the first rap records were released, such as “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang in 1979. In the 1980s, artists like Run-DMC, The Beastie Boys, LL Cool J and Public Enemy took rap music mainstream. Labels like Def Jam and Ruthless Records were launched during this era.
Rap Explodes in Popularity
By the 1990s, rap had exploded in popularity, with acts like N.W.A., Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G. and many others achieving massive commercial success. Record labels looked to capitalize on rap’s popularity by signing new talent.
Rap further penetrated the pop mainstream in the late 1990s and early 2000s, as Eminem, Nelly, Ja Rule and others released major radio hits. Regional rap scenes also thrived in cities like Atlanta, Houston, Miami and Los Angeles.
Today, rap is a dominant force in pop music and youth culture worldwide. Streaming platforms like Spotify show that rap is the most popular music genre in the world, with billions of streams annually.
Major Rap Hubs and Destinations
There are a number of metropolitan areas that are considered major hubs of hip hop culture and landmarks in rap history:
New York City
As the birthplace of hip hop, New York City is an essential destination for rap fans. Key sites include the Bronx neighborhoods where hip hop originated; major record labels like Def Jam; and legendary rap venues like the Apollo Theater.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles has been a West Coast rap stronghold since the 1980s. Important sites include Compton, the home of N.W.A. and Dr. Dre’s studio; Long Beach, Snoop Dogg’s hometown; and the Hollywood Walk of Fame stars of various rap legends.
Atlanta
Atlanta has become a Southern rap mecca over the last two decades, launching superstar artists like OutKast, T.I., Gucci Mane and Future. Essential rap landmarks include studios like PatchWerk and key neighborhoods like Zone 6.
Miami
Miami is the capital of Southern rap, especially bass-heavy styles like crunk and trap. Many influential rappers hail from Miami, such as Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Trick Daddy and Pitbull. Iconic venues include Ace Hood’s Studio.
Houston
Houston has its own unique hip hop sound, pioneered by legends like the Geto Boys, UGK, Scarface, Z-Ro and others. Important local sites include the 5th Ward, Missouri City and the Houston murals dedicated to DJ Screw and Fat Pat.
Other Key Rap Cities
Beyond the above, other cities with strong rap ties include Oakland, St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, Detroit, Chicago and Philadelphia. Each city has its own distinct local rap history and culture.
Major Airlines Serving These Rap Hubs
Many major airlines operate sizable operations from the airports in these hip hop hotspots. Here are some of the major carriers flying in and out of these key rap cities:
New York City
| Airline | Airport Hub |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | JFK |
| Delta | LaGuardia |
| JetBlue | JFK |
| United Airlines | Newark |
Los Angeles
| Airline | Airport Hub |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | LAX |
| Delta | LAX |
| United Airlines | LAX |
| Alaska Airlines | LAX |
| Southwest Airlines | LAX |
Atlanta
| Airline | Airport Hub |
|---|---|
| Delta | ATL |
| Southwest Airlines | ATL |
| American Airlines | ATL |
| United Airlines | ATL |
| Frontier Airlines | ATL |
Miami
| Airline | Airport Hub |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | MIA |
| Delta | MIA |
| United Airlines | MIA |
| Frontier Airlines | MIA |
| Southwest Airlines | FLL |
Houston
| Airline | Airport Hub |
|---|---|
| United Airlines | IAH |
| Southwest Airlines | HOU |
| American Airlines | IAH |
| Delta | IAH |
| Spirit Airlines | IAH |
Noteworthy Rap Artists from Each City
Each of these major rap cities has produced numerous hip hop icons over the years. Here is a sampling of important rappers emerging from each locale:
New York City
- The Notorious B.I.G.
- Jay-Z
- Nas
- Wu-Tang Clan
- Run-D.M.C.
- A Tribe Called Quest
- Beastie Boys
- Nicki Minaj
- Foxy Brown
- Big L
Los Angeles
- N.W.A.
- Snoop Dogg
- Ice Cube
- Dr. Dre
- 2Pac
- The Game
- Kendrick Lamar
- Nipsey Hussle
- Ty Dolla $ign
- Tyga
Atlanta
- OutKast
- T.I.
- Future
- Gucci Mane
- Young Jeezy
- 2 Chainz
- Lil Jon
- Ludacris
- Yung Joc
- Young Thug
Miami
- Rick Ross
- DJ Khaled
- Pitbull
- Trick Daddy
- Plies
- Kodak Black
- Denzel Curry
- XXXTentacion
- Ball Greezy
- Ski Mask the Slump God
Houston
- UGK
- Z-Ro
- Scarface
- Slim Thug
- Chamillionaire
- Paul Wall
- DJ Screw
- Geto Boys
- Trae tha Truth
- Swisha House
Final Thoughts
Rap and hip hop have gone from underground genres to hugely influential global movements. Millions around the world book flights each year to visit the key landmarks in rap history scattered across America’s cities.
Major airlines have capitalized on this demand, building large operations connecting major rap hubs like New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and Houston. From the Bronx parks where DJ Kool Herc spun records, to Compton corners where Dr. Dre perfected G-Funk – the airports serving hip hop’s holy sites are now dotted with planes from American, Delta, United, Southwest and more.
Rap culture has arguably impacted society over the last 50 years more than any other music form. It makes sense that air travel has evolved to shuttle fans between the genres’ most important destinations – mile-high tributes to the sounds that moved generations.