Hip-hop is probably the most popular genre of music in the United States today. It isn’t just a genre of music; it is a culture that has had influences on other genres of music as well. Some might view this type of music as being a bad influence because they might rap about gang violence or drugs. There are many different types of artists and sub genres in hip-hop and rap. Hip-hop and rap is a platform of music for the artists to voice their opinions of society. This outlet for the African American community has been especially important to rap about the history of the treatment of African Americans in our country. Hip-hop has transformed in so many different ways overtime since its birth in the 1970s. Before getting into the history and the …show more content…
The first major hip-hop dj was DJ Kool Herc. He was an 18-year-old immigrant from Jamaica who introduced the huge sound systems of his native Jamaica to events and parties in the Bronx. He used equipment such as turntables, to meld percussive fragments from older records with popular dance songs to create a continuous flow of music. DJ Kool Herc was one of many pioneering hip-hop dj’s such as Grand Wizard Theodore, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash. Djs could be considered the most important component to rap music because they are responsible for creating the beat and sound that is supposed to flow with the rap lyrics. At this time the type of dancing that was popular with this music was break dancing, which was a style of dancing with acrobatic and occasionally airborne moves, including gravity-defying head spins and backspins. DJ Kool Herc is known to be the one credited with being the father of modern rapping but there were many other artists that paved the way for the young rappers we know today. Some of the most famous and influential rappers of all time are Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur, Nas, and of course Eminem. There is so many to name but that is my opinion of the four fathers of Hip-hop and rap. Also to mention is how graffiti played a significant role in helping define hip-hop culture in its early stages. Graffiti writing essentially helped define the visual component of hip-hop culture because it provided a platform for people to express themselves just like they do when they compose there rap lyrics. Some people used graffiti to create murals or to write quotes even though most people relate graffiti to gangs tagging. By the 1980s a new wave of hip hop hit with groups and artists such as N.W.A. and Snoop Dog. The rap songs were mostly about the life of a gangster living in the hood. Labels such as Death Row Records built an empire off of the violent genre of gangsta rap. There are
Hip hop, the creation of electronic sound and enticing language is a style born from the African American and Hispanic cultures. It formed in New York City from block parties and the participation of the youth culture. This style of music began as a minimal change in rhythm to a globally popular culture consisting of graffiti art, dancing, and music. Hip hop was not only a type of tasteful music, but it also became a benchmark in history. When this style of music was created, it served as an outlet for those who did not have a voice, particularly the minority groups. These groups were given rights that they deserved just like everyone else. In the 1970’s is when hip hop began to spread, creating not just
Hip-Hop is an all-encompassing term used to reference a genre of music, as well as a subculture that made its first appearance in New York City by African-Americans in the poverty-stricken South Bronx streets during the 1970’s. Hip-Hop began as a trendy medium of musical protest against the injustices suffered by Black and Latino men, but quickly evolved into a lifestyle focusing on the creative expression of emotional, and political experiences shared by ethnic cultures throughout the United States. The emergence of hip-hop culture was expected to be a trend that would disappear in a fashion similar to that of the disco movement, but rapidly became one of the most influential subcultures in today’s American society. Despite the boundless impacts
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
The genre of hip-hop began in a time of economic uncertainty. According to the article, “Historical Phenomena, Hip- Hop Culture and Rap Music”, this particular genre of music is “heavily influenced by the economically and socially oppressed ghettos.” The art of Hip-Hop is very culturally driven. It is a way for the artists to express themselves freely, in a musical way. It is said that hip-hop is claimed to be, “...The act of speaking poetically and rhythmically over the beat,” (Ide). Based on the article, hip-hop was developed in an area that was run by a “capitalist economic system and racist government officials.”(Ide). This is an explanation of how some artists speak as though they are being attacked because of their ethnic background, and only that. It is something that is truly important and present in their lives. Some rap artists speak about the way they often feel racially discriminated by society.
Is the most controversial element on hip-hop, and tends to be its visual expression. The definition of graffiti could be that it is a mural interpretation of the artists’ inner that can be resulted in a drawing, writing, or a symbolic projection (Edwards 13-17). There are three types of the graffiti art: the Tagging, which can be a simple form of one color only; second, is the Threw-Up in which the artist may use more than two colors, and the Spray is the third type where more colors and complexity is used. (Gross 285)
Hip Hop music became one of the primary constructive outlets for Black Americans to release their thoughts, pain, and anguish about the injustices and mistreatments of Black people. Even though most of the pioneers in Hip-Hop either were not born in America or are 2nd generation immigrants that proves that common oppression can lead to unity. The fact that that these individuals were impoverished and felt marginalized is what brought them together and lead to the culture today. Deep rooted racism in the United States kept the genre of music suppressed for a while before it was allowed to even be played on the airwaves. Now, in 2011, the main consumers of byproducts of hip hop are White Americans.
Hip Hop has had an overwhelming influence on society as a whole. Hip Hop is more than music, Hip Hop is a culture. Over the past three decades, Hip Hop has influenced and uplifted America, speaking up for generations and providing a voice to a group of people trying to deliver a message. Hip Hop has provided a platform for MCs and rappers to express their opinions about society. Additionally, Hip Hop culture can be viewed as a direct response to the socio-economic issues that sometimes spawned from history.
Hip hop is one of the most prominent component in life and culture today. Today, it is often affiliated as being a musical genre and style that is debatably the leading factor in music today. But hip hop is far more than that. It is a culture and a way life. It has helped form most what we know today. It has greatly influenced many ways that we choose to define ourselves. Clothing styles, all forms of art media, storytelling, and many other canvases that we typically use in our everyday life has been tremendously impacted the culture form of hip hop, and this trend is on a steady constant growth.
In the late 1970’s, a new music genre emerged in Bronx, New York. Hip Hop started as an underground, unknown genre to a popular, multi-million-dollar genre and lifestyle. The transformation of Hip Hop has shaped or American Culture and is now geared to more than just the African American and Latino groups it was once developed for. There are also misconceptions about what Hip Hop means. Most people believe Hip Hop is synonymous with rap. However, Hip Hop is more than just a music style it is also a culture within the music. To understand how Hip Hop has evolved and shaped our current culture, we must start at the very beginning.
Hip-Hop music is just another form of self-expression and individuality. At least, that’s what hip-hop artist and teenagers are informed to believe. Hip-Hop music became very popular during the 80’s and 90’s, where artists such as Tupac Shakur, Queen Latifah, and Niggaz Wit Attitudes (N.W.A) began to speak out against police brutality, discrimination, and the incarceration of African American. The music spoke to teenagers, who could easily connect to the music, but as the years started to progress forward the meaning of hip-hop music eventually became diverse. Hip-Hop music had become a mainstream genre that comes with different messages, whether promoting sex, individuality, or violence.
Hip hop groups like Public Enemy and N.W.A. during the late 80’s and early 90’s made determined efforts to deal with an attitude of sensitivity toward and sense of responsibility regarding injustice and problems in society. Their music served as social awareness movement during their generation. Their music is meaningful and powerful because it reminds black people to stand up and fight against injustice. Inequality and racial
Graffiti and hip hop are tied due to the fact that graffiti artists were involved with other aspects of hip hop as well as it being practiced in areas where hip hop was developing. It is seen as a visual expression of rap music.
Hip Hop culture has come from a inner city expression of life to a multi-billion dollar business. At the beginning of the new millennium it was the top selling genre in the pop charts. It had influences not only on music, but on fashion, film, television, and print. In 2004 Hip Hop celebrated its 30th year anniversary. It wasn’t big for the fact that it was still kicking. It was big because the once Black/Brown inner city culture had grown into a multi-billion dollar global phenomenon (Reeves). Hip Hop culture has provided a platform for all walks of life to speak their mind. Over the past 36 years it has provided us with both entertainment and controversy alike and had a huge impact on our nation’s history. `
You’re standing in a crowd amongst thousands of fans at an Eminem concert, people from all over, shoulder to shoulder in a massive stadium, singing along every word of their favorite song for hours. People from all over are connected to each other through the power of music. When it comes to music, the life experiences, inspiration, and current events play a tremendously significant role. Hip hop is a form of art which can be expressed through rap songs, break-dancing, and graffiti art. The culture has become so popular that it has entered today’s fashion and modern language. Hip hop music is an extremely large part of today’s generation and a global genre, which influences the generation all over the world.
Hip-Hop culture is all about the music and self-expression. Hip-Hop is a genre of music that stands on its own two feet. It is also one of the fastest growing music genres when it comes to cultural impact. Music today varies from pop to rock and roll to country all the way to hip hop. Music is a way for people to express their thoughts, emotions and dreams.