On this date in 1989, Chuck D. of Public Enemy, Slick Rick, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince led the Grammy boycott among Hip Hoppers because the first-ever Best Rap Performance category, which Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince won, wouldn’t be televised as part of the main show.

During that time, these artists were among the elite of their art, who felt that to have people who did not represent their culture or cultural values be able to critique and judge their artistry was a total display of disrespect. Not having the ceremony where the award was given to the artists aired on national television with the rest of the artists from other genres was out of line. This prompted the first protest of the award shows, much like the ones that you see occuring with the Oscars.

Salute to the “Golden Era” artists for pioneering the trend of boycotting the awards!