Hip hop’s “make do with what you have” ethic has spread far beyond New York to become an international movement: DJs spin turntables in Sao Paulo, rappers rap in Arabic and b-boys bust moves in Qatar.
The Fugees’ album The Score wins two Grammy awards, giving socially conscious hip hop new life.
Origins
Hip hop emerged in the early 1970’s in response to social and economic hardships experienced by African American and Latino youth, specifically at block parties hosted by DJs like Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash. Herc’s invention of using two turntables to spin one record at once enabled him to isolate and extend danceable sections such as percussion breaks – helping spark breakdancing. Grandmaster Flash pioneered scratching techniques now common in hip hop.
Hip hop culture has had a profound effect on graffiti art, fashion and other forms of self-expression beyond music. MC’s frequently use their lyrics to address issues surrounding race, class, poverty and violence within urban cultures; for instance Schoolly D is known for taking an outspoken stance against crime while other influential rappers such as KRS-One advocate nonviolence and social activism in their songs and interviews.
Hip hop’s roots may lie in America, but its reach has spread worldwide with different regional styles that span from Miami bass (bounce) and New Orleans bounce to Houston’s screwed and Atlanta’s crunk. Each region has its own slang; artists may even develop vocabulary specific to their region; such as Wu-Tang Clan has created its own entire dictionary of local terms.
Early Years
Hip hop’s origins lie deep within African American culture. Griot chanting, jazz poetry and religious ceremonies in both Africa and America all had an integral role in its development. Early popular radio disc jockeys of the Black-appeal period also helped pave the way for the rapping style that would eventually become hip hop music – these “jive talkers” used call and response announcing techniques similar to what later emerged during new school hip hop music’s Golden Era.
DJ Kool Herc pioneered a technique of lengthening percussive “breaks” in popular funk and soul records to encourage partygoers to dance. Additionally, he introduced call and response chanting into his performances; popular MCs such as Coke La Rock and Afrika Bambaataa used call-and-response chanting to enhance their sets.
At its height in the late 70s, MCing had evolved from simple poetry verses into more poetic lyrics that addressed various topics. Hip hop then began spreading beyond New York City streets; artists like Melle Mel, KRS-One, Rakim, and Chuck D were soon releasing albums and touring nationwide.
As the 1980s progressed, hip hop entered its new school era with acts like Run-D.M.C, Beastie Boys and LL Cool J introducing it to wider audiences through MTV and other music venues. Additionally, Public Enemy expanded hip hop’s lyrical content further by including romantic themes into its lyrics while LL Cool J and Public Enemy used political ideology as part of their lyrics.
Hip hop has spread around the world since its birth in New York’s Bronx over four decades ago, eventually becoming an influential cultural phenomenon with international appeal and influence. Now an influential global phenomenon, it has had an effect on music and dance scenes in cities as diverse as Sao Paulo, Qatar and Washington DC. From its humble origins in New York’s Bronx neighborhood it has grown into a multibillion dollar industry which shapes global culture and influences everyday lives worldwide.
East Coast/West Coast Rivalry
Hip hop music first gained momentum as a cultural movement during the late 1970s in New York City and spread quickly west. Artists like DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash laid the groundwork for what we now consider hip hop; its popularity quickly spreading west as well resulting in what became known as “East Coast/West Coast Rivalry”.
Rivalry between East Coast artists like Run-D.M.C and Public Enemy of the East and West Coast musicians such as Marion “Suge” Knight and Dr. Dre’s Death Row Records of 1991 led to artists like NWA and Snoop Dogg making an impression during this era.
As competition between the two regions heated up, rappers from both regions released diss tracks that further alienated their respective fan bases. A 1996 altercation between Pac and Biggie resulted in their death – further deepening rifts.
Tupac and Biggie’s deaths sent shockwaves through the hip hop world. Though bitter rivals, both artists were revered for their contributions to hip hop. Their feud also served as a wake-up call about unchecked competition and media exploitation within hip hop culture, prompting efforts by fans and artists alike to promote community solidarity through collaborations and public statements; their deaths spurring East Coast/West Coast Rivalry initiatives while serving as a reminder about territorial conflicts as well as needing self-reflection among hip hop artists.
New School Era
This era began with the releases of Run-DMC, Whodini and LL Cool J in 1983-84. These artists melded rap with hard rock to bring hip hop mainstream. Showcasing street B-boy attitudes while projecting toughness and self-assertion in song and image; in stark contrast with funk-disco tracks with novelty hits from older hip hop.
The New School era saw the emergence of groups like Beastie Boys, Freestyle Fellowship and Afrika Bambaata’s Beat Street/Public Enemy. These artists pushed production further than ever, using faster beats, sampler technology in drum machines and more dense rhymes than ever. Their art also addressed social and political issues such as racism, poverty and injustice while inspiring younger activists such as KRS-One/Rakim who eventually started Native Tongues Movement as examples for activism within their generation.
These artists paved the way for more diverse subject matter and lyrics within hip hop music. They demonstrated that its reach went far beyond ghetto life to encompass an entire culture that could be explored.
Unfortunately, with this surge came many one hit wonders that only enjoyed fleeting success. Artists such as MC Hammer and Soulja Boy found fame through dance moves but lacked the lyrical talent needed for long term success. Conversely, Kendrick Lamar and Drake found success through more cohesive LP’s that included intricate productions that broke from traditional beats; these artists established themselves through online media as well as through record industry connections.
Late 90’s/Early 00’s
The 1990’s were an extraordinary decade for hip hop. A global phenomenon, audiences and artists emerged everywhere from Tokyo to Cape Town. Artists such as Jay-Z and Dr. Dre took the beats even deeper – sampling short drum breaks before adding their own percussion and bass lines, perfect for breakdancing and krumping dance styles; during this era artists such as LL Cool J and Public Enemy helped integrate romantic themes as well as political ideologies into hip hop music.
At this point, DJs started employing studio techniques as opposed to turntables and drum machines, and rappers improved their flow and rhyme skills by employing internal rhymes (adding words within lines instead of at their ends) as well as tapping their sense of rhythm to produce rhythmic lyrics. Hip hop producers improved their sound by including various instruments as well as sounds from urban life such as sirens, street cries, and gunshots into their sound production process.
The New School brought hip hop music to a wider audience. Run-D.M.C and the Beastie Boys became household names at this point; Queen Latifah and Salt-N-Pepa became pioneers for women rap music; while Wu-Tang clan released 36 Chambers as a classic album.
In 1996, Tupac Shakur’s death brought tragedy and change to hip hop culture; yet his legacy lives on through songs he recorded. Artists like Nas, Missy Elliott, and Nicki Minaj continue to represent hip hop in modern culture today through music and song recordings by Tupac as well as artists like Nas, Missy Elliott and Nicki Minaj who continue his legacy today. Hip hop also found its way onto theater stages such as musicals such as Into the Hoods that depict urban life through music and dance while other plays adapt classic plays like Seven Against Thebes with hip hop influences such as this Greek tragedy’s hip hop adaptation Seven Against Thebes by William Shakespeare himself!