When did you first become aware of Hip Hop?

I grew up in the Midwest, so I clearly was not there in NYC when Hip Hop originated in the 70s. Thus, I am sure my perception of the genre may not be based on the real thing. By the time it got to me, it may have been changed beyond recognition.

But I was obsessed with Tone Loc and Wild Thing (late 80s). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=387ZDGSKVSg
I absolutely could not get enough of that. I drove everybody crazy listening to it-I did not have ear buds then.
I think it has gotten progressively and distubingly profane and overly mysogynistic since then, and that is too bad. But those were great days.
You?