Which act won the first Grammy for Best Rap Performance in 1989?

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince won the first Grammy for Best Rap Performance in 1989 with “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”

The duo consisted of DJ Jazzy Jeff, whose turntable work supplied the production, and the Fresh Prince, later widely known as actor Will Smith. Their humorous narrative song described generational conflicts over clothing, school, and teenage independence.

The award was introduced at the 31st Annual Grammy Awards. The duo did not attend the ceremony because rap performers boycotted it in protest after the category was not included in the live television broadcast.

The boycott is an important part of the award’s history, but it did not change the official result. The Grammy still went to DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, making them the category’s inaugural winners. This category is separate from Best Rap Album, which was introduced later.