Hip Hop History

So as of lately, I have been greatly interested in music with the downloading of these new songs I have found. Yesterday, I also posted something about the history of American music, describing how it originated and what it means to today’s society. Now for today’s post I was thinking of going deeper into the discussion, and maybe discussing one of the specific genres associated with American music. Also, the genre I pick must have popularity, as well as appeal to me as a member in our musically diverse society. So I’m going with my favorite genre of music, Hip Hop.

Hip Hop is a cultural movement that began in the 1970s. It is composed of two main parts that make hip hop what it is. These aspects consist of rapping, the delivery of swift, highly, rhythmic and lyrical vocals; and DJing and/or producing, the production of instrumentation either through sampling, instrumentation, turntablism or through beatboxing, the production of musical sounds through vocalized tones. Hip Hop came from humble beginnings, when it arose from The Bronx in the 1970s. It was started by a Jamaican immigrant named DJ Kool Herc, who brought it about by the Jamaican practice of toasting over the rhythms of popular songs. As time went by, and the 80s came, hip hop evolved and beats were repeated as emcees rapped. This newfound technique brought about celebrities like LL Cool J. Now even today hip hop has changed and gone into smaller more distinct groups. Gangsta rap is one of these sects, and is characterized by a lyrical focus on macho sexuality, physicality, and a dangerous criminal image (as seen by rappers like Gucci Mane and Yo Gotti). This was originated by the rappers Ice-T and the always famous Notorious B.I.G. After these men appeared, it introduced many other rappers to this distinct style, and soon 2Pac, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg appeared on the scene. This marked the beginning of a cultural revolution in the ways of music.

Now in today’s society, hip hop and rap are the genres of music that are mostly present everywhere, from when you turn on the radio to looking at your own ipod. I mean just have someone compare how many hip hop songs they have in contrast to the amount of country or techno songs they have. Chances are there will be a significant difference, and there is a good reason for it. It’s basically saying that the generation of young people today are more interested in fast beats and rhythm than the words of the songs (which might be true for some people). But let’s look around society. There is a great difference in the number of hip hop artists compared to country or rock bands. For example, you can ask anyone if they have ever heard of Trey Songz, Drake, Jeremih, Lil Wayne, or even Nicki Minaj and the odds are they will say yes. The odds of someone  my age knowing a band like The Police, not so much. This just shows the shift in cultural and societal interest taking place today.

Now speaking of my musical preferences, I primarily enjoy listening to hip hop music with a little RnB thrown in there every once in a while. My musical interest also primarily rests in the artists T.I., Drake, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Lupe Fiasco, and Wale (pronounced Wal-e not Whale; he tells you in his song “Chillin”) The songs by these artists are remarkable, and are composed by great beats along with verses that in other words speak to my generation about struggle or getting along in life or about what goals someone has (“Successful” by Drake). The other thing about hip hop is that every week there is some new song or recent artist that has appeared on the scene. Some of the more recent artists are: Big Sean and Yelawolf, while some of the more recent songs are: “I Do It” by Big Sean and “Drinks in the Air” by Ray J ft. Kid Ink. Along with these songs will come more and more songs made by new and upcoming artists and rappers, which will constantly provide a source for the society’s want for more hip hop and rap music. So as long as I live there will be hip hop, but like all cultural movements it will end, but like classic rock and roll it will never die out.