Hip hop music can help your children get moving while also learning more about other cultures.
As you listen more carefully, patterns will emerge in the music. For instance, perhaps there’s a snare on every even count?
MCs began as hosts at DJ dance events, creating excitement amongst crowds through energy and enthusiasm. Later they evolved into rappers creating intricate rhyme schemes.
Burnitup by Janet Jackson & Missy Elliot
Janet Jackson has returned with her seventh studio album, Unbreakable. Already released are title track and J. Cole collaboration tracks; Missy Elliott now joins Janet for club-filler “BURNITUP!” This upbeat club-filler will surely get your body moving with its catchy beat and seductive lyrics.
Jackson made her Unbreakable World Tour debut with this catchy track to much applause at its final stop, drawing rave reviews for its release. It is easy to understand why: the two artists seem perfectly attuned together. Their collaboration fuses Jackson’s funk-filled Damita Jo days with contemporary R&B aesthetics for an irresistibly catchy tune full of itchy beats and irresistible hooks.
The high-energy dance tune packs plenty of heat: glossy keys, thick synth-bass and processed vocal samples come together with an unsettling house drum beat to create an intoxicating dance song. Lyrically, Jackson encourages listeners to “dance like no one is watching”, while Elliott instructs listeners who might wish to join her dance floor juggernauts to “play this jam now and dance!”
An exciting, energetic performance from both artists was a fitting tribute to Jackson’s 30-year legacy, with Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges reading a proclamation declaring November 1 Janet Jackson Day in Minneapolis. Jackson herself stood clad in a black outfit that recognized her position as queen before turning and nodding towards her band for another performance boost.
Tick Tick Boom by T.I.
Jay-Z may have dominated New York rap in 1999, but he knew hip hop was about more than that. So he turned to underground regional spitters UGK for their visionary narration in “Gas Pedal.” Inspired by Pretty Tony in 1973’s The Mack, “Gas Pedal” depicts a deadly game of reality-rap chicken as dangerous and cold as their cold Brooklyn accents of Bun B and Pimp C; their sonorous Southern drawls highlighted one of Timbaland’s most ambitious beats; an epic robo-digi-funk montage punctuated by church bells ringing along with unsettling flute accompaniments!
Twista and Memphis Bleek’s dexterous flows match up perfectly with the beat’s acrobatic precision, while Jay-Z’s casual fluency conveys his understanding of the game’s larger consequences – amplified further by Tick, Tick… Boom!’s topic matter of an calculated yet self-congratulatory takedown of Jay’s rivals. Tick, Tick… Boom! is currently running at Los Angeles Union Theatre.
Motown Philly by Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men group members made their first debut at Philadelphia’s High School for Creative and Performing Arts in the late ’80s. Dubbed Unique Attraction initially, they blended voices to harmonize and were heavily influenced by R&B/pop hitmakers New Edition (whose song, “Boys to Men,” inspired their name change).
Cooleyhighharmony had their breakthrough with their debut album Cooleyhighharmony which produced two number one R&B and top five pop hits (“Motown Philly” and “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday”, respectively). Furthermore, Cooleyhighharmony won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.
At first, they tried their luck at more popular music with their second album; this proved a risky but profitable move. Their first single from this effort, “1-4-ALL-4-1,” became their signature song; often featured at interviews when custom-tailoring lyrics to include radio station call letters or birthday shout-outs from hosts.
After their follow up album, Full Circle, failed to meet listener expectations, the band decided to take greater control over their production with Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya released in 2000. It proved successful and led to several smaller hits before major label burnout hit in 2002 – leading to Michael McCary leaving due to back pain related to multiple sclerosis and leaving only three members. They continued as trio until 2008 when Twenty was released as double CD to celebrate 20 years in business and feature thirteen original tracks as well as eight rerecorded classics!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Juicy J & Wiz Khalifa
“Bounce It,” by Juicy J featuring Wale and Trey Songz is sure to get your feet moving in class and your heart pumping with excitement! Don’t be surprised if this high-energy song becomes a favorite at parties or events – the chorus will quickly have you singing along!
Juicy J is an American rapper and songwriter best known as one of the members of Three 6 Mafia in Memphis, renowned for their distinct blend of Southern hip hop with trap music and Memphis crunk music – known as his signature style of Southern rapping with Memphis crunk influences; often covering themes like partying, drug use and street life within his lyrics.
Juicy J has also established himself in various business ventures outside his rap career, such as co-founding Taylor Gang Entertainment record label with Wiz Khalifa and producing films and television shows.
If you love Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie franchise, be sure to listen to “Shell Shocked”, an EDM-infused track by Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa and Ty Dolla $ign which was featured in one of their films – “Shell Shocked”. Additionally, watch its music video as it showcases various action shots from the movie!