Over the last quarter-century Def Jam has become synonymous with Hip Hop. Each year Vh1 chooses honorees based on musical, political and cultural impact, so honoring the silver anniversary of Def Jam is a natural choice.

Throughout the past 25 years, Def Jam has been at the forefront of Hip Hop’s evolution. Take a look back and see how we got here . Explore the timeline below to discover the artists, songs and albums that have helped craft the modern American experience.

VH1's Hip Hop Honors 2009 is the first time the show will be honoring a record label. Host Tracy Morgan and a slew of superstar performers and presenters will be celebrating the incredible legacy of Def Jam Recordings. Over the last quarter-century Def Jam has led a cultural movement that has changed the world.