February 22

February 22, 1988

First Grammy Awarded in Rap Category

Rap and hip-hop emerged as a music form in urban African-American communities during the mid-1970s. In 1986, Run DMC became the first rap group nominated for a Grammy, for Best R&B Performance, losing out to Prince and the Revolution. Two years later, rap was accorded its own category, and on this date in 1988 the first Grammy in the rap music category was awarded to DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince for Parents Just Don't Understand. The duo comprised Jeff Townes and Will Smith. (Because the rap award was not scheduled during the televised portion of the Grammy program, many hip-hop musicians boycotted the 1988 ceremony.)