Hip Hops Redemption Hip hop music is described as, “a subculture especially of inner-city youths who are typically devotees of rap music”. (Merriam.com) Hip hop music is one of the most listened to genres in history. Hip-hop music started in the mid 1970’s, but some say that it started much earlier. Many people today would argue that Hip Hop is disgraceful now a days, and that it has no positive message given. Me personally, I would agree since the days have changed over time. I could also argue that music as a whole has changed and wouldn’t always be the same, but that’s not the main point. The main point is to show how Hip-hop music is actually positive. For starters, music has always been very special to people. Music can affect people, even more than people affect people. Think about it, even in the bible days, Lucifer was the ruler over music. God’s most beautiful angel controlled music and the music set the tone in heaven. Yes, music has a very strong impact on humans, animals, and deities out there. Hip Hop is an awesome form of music. Hip Hop started off from poetry. Yes Langston Hughes would be known as a lyricist in today’s era. It was meant to express the troubles and sadness throughout the lives of blacks. Hip Hop has gone through it’s changed throughout time. As technology advanced Hip hop has also advanced “too an extent”. Usually the older generation, when hearing todays Hip hop music would say, “How do you listen to all this
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
The media paints a poor picture of Hip Hop, even after what is has evolved to and it does not show the advantages of a this new industry. The world of Hip Hop does not, as a whole, possess the same ideals of violence it once did; they now project wealth and ideals all the world over, and thus has a stronger impact on change then it ever did. Hip Hop is a global brand, no longer confined to single community or group of people. No longer does a man need to live and work in the ghetto to reap the benefits of Hip Hop’s guidance and advice. Hip Hop’s light shines brighter and farther today than ever before; it is a global force for the poor, and discriminated that yearn to breathe free all throughout the world.
Mr. McBride, you claim that “I missed the most cultural event in my lifetime” (paragraph #6). This is true as you did miss a very important, life changing event. With listening to hip hop, and understanding the meaning, you could have had a better social based life. You also claim that “hip hop remains an enigma, a clarion call, a cry of ‘I am’ from the youth of the world” (paragraph #8). This is also completely true because hip hop has become a very popular type of music, and spreads the message of the current world problems. When you say “The instruments change, but the message is the same” (paragraph #11), you claim that the style of music can change a little bit, but the message will be just as meaningful and powerful. I also think that although hip hop can have many different kinds of beat, rhythm, and sound to it, they will always share a real world problem that is powerful and meaningful. For example, a lot of the hip hop music are about racism, reminding us that racism still exists today, and that it is still a very big problem and controversy. Mr. McBride, you want the adults to get more involved with hip hop, and really understand it’s message as hip hop becomes a very influential, social part of our lives. Your article was incredibly powerful, and you have proved your opinions and thoughts, and influenced the readers using powerful examples and personal
Hip-Hop is not what the media portrays it to be. It’s how one carries themselves and expresses themselves. With the many positive aspects of hip hop, the media choses to cornerstone predominantly on the negative, without revealing the positive side of the hip hop culture. “The presentation of hip-hop culture was not based upon an altruistic concern to reveal the environmental, economic, and social challenges of inner city communities, but was connected instead to more basic goal−profits” (Melvin 1). Hip-Hop music is used for so many things than just the negativities that media sets it out to be.
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.
Molefi Asante is the author of It’s Bigger than Hip-Hop: The Rise of the Post Hip-Hop Generation. In this article, Asante predicts that the post-hip-hop generation will embrace social justice issues including women’s rights, gay’s rights, and the anti-war movement. To challenge these stereotypes, Asante speaks to the personification of the African-American ghetto and the need to stop glorifying black suffering. For Asante, the post-hip-hop generation no longer expects hip-hop to mobilize disenfranchised youth. Asante states, “The post-hip-hop generation shouldn’t wait for mainstream musicians to say what needs to be said…No movement is about beats and rhythms…. it must be bigger than hip-hop.” Because hip-hop is controlled by corporations, Asante says hip-hop will never be the focus of political change. Asante argues that “old white men” have dictated hip-hop, and by extension the actions of black youth, since 1991. “Allowing white executives, not from the hip-hop culture, to control and dictate the culture is tragic because the music, and ultimately the culture, as we can see today, has not only lost its edge, but its sense of rebellion and black movement- the very principles upon which it was founded.” Asante calls for the rise of “artivism,” a new social movement that uses art to improve community police relations, failing schools and the criminal justice system. Asante encourages the post-hip-hop generation to unite with Latino/Immigration Rights and Black Civil Rights
Hip Hop was birthed in the neighborhood, where young people gathered in parks, on playgrounds, and neighborhood street corners, to verbalize poetry over spontaneous sounds and adopted melodies. Hip Hop was not just the music; it was also a way for the young to show their skills in break dancing, gymnastic dance style that was valued, and athleticism over choreographed fluidity. Hip hop was also fashion such as: hats, jackets, gold chains, and name-brand sneakers. Hip Hop was a form of graffiti, to a new way of expression that engaged spray paint on the subway walls as the canvas. In addition, today’s hip hop have changed as where the DJ was once is now the producer as the key music maker, and the park is now a studio.
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
Hip hop cannot be understood by just examining how the artists might carry themselves or just their lyrics alone. The uniting of hip-hop in to society gave accommodations in an integrated generation of young Americans and it changed the racial dynamics in the United States. Even though you might not be born in the 70’s when hip hop was originated, it has become a part of our generation and has stuck around ever since. This paper is written with the intentions to prove how the evolution of hip-hop or rap music has ultimately made America
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.
Even though, hip-hop is viewed as primarily of promoting negative message, however, it has reveled the pain behind the lyrics. “Hip hop music, had for over three and half decades, delivered a resounding message of freedom of expression, unity, peace, and protest against social injustices”. (Anderson & Jackson) As hip-hop continues to grow it has continued to remain a strong influential social impact. Hip-hop created a way for many individuals to express themselves on controversial issues seen throughout society.
Hip Hop in the most popular genre of music between all African American communities, not just in America, but worldwide. Hip Hop has expanded itself into music, fashion, advertisement, movies, and it’s given many rappers, and those associated with the genre, the chance to influence their communities, societies and their culture in general, but commercial Hip Hop in the U.S. has branded Hip Hop in a negative way. (The Young and The Hip-Hop, Hip Hop Culture Center in Harlem, 2012, Web, Oct. 27, 2014) This is all due to the negative imagery and negative lyrics like the term nigga, negative implications of Hip Hop include exploiting black adolescent girls, promoting unhealthy lifestyles, and implying that the open use of the word nigga is not harmful. Hip Hop has become a global phenomenon where it has evolved from a genre of music to a lifestyle for the African American community.