In the five decades since DJ Kool Herc When hip hop came into existence in 1973, one of the things that remained intact as a primary focus of the culture is giving back to the community. Doing good for the ‘hood is something that is deeply rooted in hip-hop culture. A highly regarded form of this recognition is when rappers are presented with a key to the city.
The centuries-long tradition not only means that the recipient of a key to the city has brought great benefit to a particular community as a whole. It also serves as a direct implication that a rapper is universally loved in the places he calls home.
Major cities across the country have given the keys to the city to some of hip-hop’s most important figures over the years. Artists love DDG beamed with pride as his birthplace of Pontiac, Michigan honored him with a key in April 2026. The popular rapper turned streamer was honored for giving back and representing his hometown around the world through his streaming platform and music.
In June 2023, Drake was was handed Toronto’s key to the city. The OVO leader described his hometown honor as “one of the greatest moments” of his life. Meanwhile, in June 2016, the city of Compton blessed Kendrick Lamar with the time-honored accolade touting the hometown MC as a “phenomenal artist whose work has served as a catalyst to raise a new level of consciousness for this generation.”
With all that in mind, XXL highlights the many cases in which rappers and other hip-hop notables have been given a key to the city. Check out those who received the honor below.
Read more: Rappers with streets named after them
See Rappers and hip-hop managers with a key to the city
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