Hip-hop is a genre of music that originated in the 1970s and has since become a global phenomenon. It is characterized by its use of RAP, a form of rhyming spoken word, as well as other elements such as sampling, DJing, and beatboxing. The term 'hip-hop' is often used to refer to the culture surrounding the music, which includes fashion, art, dance, and language. The crossword solution for the term 'HIP-HOP' is 'RAP', which is a key element of the genre.