A highly regarded form of this recognition is when rappers are presented with a key to the city. Major cities all over the country have bestowed keys to the city upon some of hip-hop's major figures through the years. Artists like DDG beamed with pride when his hometown of Pontiac, Michigan honored him with a key in April of 2026. The popular rapper-turned-streamer was honored for giving back and representing his hometown all over the world through his streaming platform and music. With all that in mind, XXL highlights the many instances in which rappers and other hip-hop notables have been presented with a key to the city.