Hip Hop Culture Essay

Hip Hop has been a thread of music that is deeply rooted in the struggle within the black communities of America. It acted as a window for people outside of the black community to acknowledge and experience, to an extent, what endeavors those communities encounter. Although Hip Hop’s central purpose is to denote the subjugation that was implemented on the black community, Hip Hop began as a mere offshoot of 1970’s jazz, funk, and soul.

Hip-hop culture began to develop in the south Bronx area of New York City during the 1970s. It had a significant influence in the music industry. Hip-hop music generally includes rapping, but other elements such as sampling and beatboxing also play important roles. Rapping, as a key part in the hip-hop music, takes different forms, which including signifying, dozen, toast and jazz poetry. Initially, hip-hop music was a voice of people living in low-income areas, reflecting social, economic and political phenomenon in their life [1]. As time moves on, hip-hop music reached its “golden age”, where it became a mainstream music, featuring diversity, quality, innovation and influence [2]. Gangsta rap, one of the most significant innovations in

An innovator in a sense, DJ Kool Herc founded Hip Hop by the early 70’s. MC’s, DJ’s, breakdancing, graffiti and music encompass the five pillars of Hip Hop. Modern inversions interpret these pillars in many different ways. Prevalent through all major cities, graffiti evolved to the murals on the side of buildings, and the creative aspect of music videos. Artists have visions interpreted in the way they decide to imagine their visuals. Breakdancing has become the advance dance crazes that sweep the nations. People in Japan are hitting the “Nae-Nae” because of Hip Hop’s mass globalization. MC’s are the talk show host and commentators of award shows and hosts of events and red carpet specials: media. Dispersion of Hip Hop through channels that connect Blacks across different scopes happens through the media. Modern day DJ’s introduce the new music with sets that keep nightclubs jumping from dawn to dusk. Displaying the

Hip-hop first emerged in the late 1970’s in the South Bronx borough New York City as medium of expression for youth from disadvantaged communities or lower economic statures, however long before the emergence of hip-hop African-Americans assumed the roles of oral historians – relaying stories and lessons through song (Rodriquez, 2006). No matter the era, the music and culture inherent in African-American society was a response to the inherent oppression and subjugation so vehemently endured by the community, and served to provide a creative outlet in which individuals were able to channel their thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. Early artists such as Will Smith, Run DMC, and DJ Jazzy Jeff produced music that appealed to the general masses – rather than exclusively African-American youth, which allowed for more widespread consumption. Alongside the emergence and popularity of hip-hop music, it’s audience and demographic has evolved tremendously, with over two-thirds of hip-hop consumers being white (Rodriquez, 2006). This too is exemplified through the Caucasian purveyors and manufactures of hip-hop music, who adopt stereotypical characteristics of African-American culture in order to assimilate within the named community.

Hip hop and rap as a musical genre is a very controversial subject for nearly everyone. Its influences are powerful, both positive and negative. There are many positive influences of hip hop, and a few examples are the breaking down of cultural barriers, the economic impact, and political awareness of pressing and urgent issues. Though there are many positive influences, there are many negative influences as well. Some of the more heated debates of the negative influences of hip hop are that it glorifies violence, and the fact that the music sexualizes women and degrades them as well. Attached to the negative outlook on hip hop, there are also many stereotypes assumed by society towards this type of culture

Analysis of Hip-Hop and Youth Culture Throughout the last twenty-five years, a new form of expression has continued to evolve. Hip-Hop, once limited to urban music and dance has become a widespread form of communication exhibited and enjoyed by young people throughout the world. Hip-Hop is no longer limited to rap music and break dancing; today it represents a multi-billion dollar industry that influences everything from fashion to prime- time television programming, professional sports, mass media marketing and advertising. Today Hip-Hop is becoming a way of life, a culture that is intricately woven into every aspect of young people's daily lives.

Hip-Hop isn’t just four elements combined within a culture, it is also “ a way of life, a language, a fashion, a set of values, and a unique perspective” (Efrem 2), the hip-hop basic and sub-elements have a strong impact in the American society mainly on its

Bambaataa used Hip-Hop to positively influence gang life. Bambaataa believed the values of Hip-Hop were “peace, unity, love, and having fun” (hiphop.sh). The creation of Zulu Nation was a product of Bambaataa's quest to turn gang life into a positive aspect of the community. Zulu nation encompassed a group of “socially and politically aware rappers, B-boys (break dancers), Graffiti artists, and other people involved in the Hip-Hop culture” (hiphop.sh). Through DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa Hip-Hop culture became defined as Deejaying, Emceeing, Graffiti, and Break dancing.

It has been 30 years since Hip-Hop was first “introduced” to the world. Whether it be fashion or politics, this musical genre/culture plays a huge role in everyday life and has generated billions of dollars across the globe. In this paper I will be discussing when, where, and how Hip-Hop was created, “old school Hip-Hop, “Hip-Hop’s Golden Age”, “Hardcore rap” “Gangsta rap”, “G-Funk”, 21st century Hip-Hop, and how Hip-Hop affects society.

Hip-Hop has an overwhelming influence on every race, but mostly a significant influence on the black community in America. Hip-Hop is more than music; it is a culture that many people in our society enhances. Over the past decades Hip-Hop has done more than just being a type of music everyone listens to; it also has influenced and uplifted America. Hip-Hop provides a platform for MC’s and rappers to express their opinion about society because not everyone on a day to day basis get the chance to express how they feel about society so they express it in music. Hip-Hop also gives the black community and other communities to express themselves as individuals because that's all some people live up to,music.

The Hip-hop movement began in the 1970's in the Southern Bronx of New York City. There are endless controversies surrounding the beginning of hip-hop, as no one is really quite sure what was the defining point. However, what is evident from every critique

Hip hop music was much different music from the one heard on the radio. These disk jockeys were innovating a style that was popular in Jamaica.

In the 70’s a new genre of music was created in South Bronx, New York. That genre is known as Hip-Hop. Over the years Hip-Hop has gained popularity becoming arguably one of the most influential forms of music to date. Hip-Hop artist or Mc’s used it to express their views on a multitude of topics to their fans. These topics range wildly from the more serious subjects like the everyday life of people living in the projects, personal obstacles they had to endure, and politics. As well as, more lighthearted topics like enjoying your time in a night club or hanging out with friends. For those reasons, I believe Hip Hop is representative of the African American community.

When you hear the phase "Hip-Hop" what do you think of? Music, Dancing, Rapping? Well, it's all of that and more hip-hop is a culture. According to Webster's dictionary, culture is defined as "the concepts, habits, skills, arts, instruments, institutions, etc. of a given people in a given period; civilization." One artist defined hip-hop as "a set of expressions in vocalization, instrumentation, dancing and the visual arts." More specifically, hip hop is a combination of graffiti, breakdancing, djing and mcing (also known as rapping), that creates a lifestyle with its own language, style of dress, music and mind set that's continuously evolving. Most of these art forms originated in New York City in the late 1960's and early

stuff, so I don't listen to that genre all that much, but there are many