At its core, hip hop is all about telling stories; even the toughest-sounding MCs are language enthusiast extraordinaires at heart.
Use music to craft personas that stand apart from life – smooth or tough characters- that showcase their style and talent, all the while honoring their DJ who provides the backdrop and platform necessary for them to showcase it all.
The History of Hip-Hop
Hip hop culture’s origins lie in New York’s Bronx Borough. There, DJ Kool Herc was responsible for pioneering an innovative form of dance music by simultaneously spinning two records at once and switching back and forth to isolate and extend percussion breaks – the most danceable sections of songs. Dancers took note, flooding to the dance floor in response to this new kind of rhythm created by Kool Herc’s unique technique.
As music and dance flourished, rappers emerged to tell stories through rhythm and rhyme. Music critic Sam Anderson describes them as being at heart “enormous language dorks”, enjoying puns, rhymes, slang, extended metaphors as they write their lyrics before performing them as raps. Hip hop reached its zenith during the 1980s when artists such as Run-D.M.C and Public Enemy gained superstar status. Additionally, instrument maker Roland released the TR-808 drum machine that helped form its distinctive sound and style.
Hip hop had continued its rapid development throughout the 2000s and penetrated various facets of popular culture, becoming synonymous with global superstars such as Eminem and Kanye West; digital technology affording artists more creative freedom in creating and sharing their works.
Producers began employing sampling as a technique to add depth and dimension to their beats in the studio, looping short snippets of existing music in order to craft unique rhythms all their own. This has since become one of the defining characteristics of hip hop that set it apart from other musical forms.
Rappers explored socially conscious topics that reflected inner city life, while poets, writers and visual artists added their voice to this movement. Hip hop’s work-with-what-you’ve-got ethic and spirit of creativity remain relevant today.
From its working-class roots in the Bronx, hip hop has evolved into a worldwide culture. Its sounds, styles, and fashions can be found across continents; DJs spin turntables in Sao Paulo while Arabic-rapping MCs rap in clubs in Qatar. B-boys break baby freezes in Finland while graffiti writers leave their mark on walls in China.
The Influence of Hip-Hop on Music
Hip hop music has had a tremendous effect on various aspects of music production and consumption, from its style of rapping to production of tracks, it has altered the process and perspective on music globally. Hip hop has an effectful presence across music industries, fashion designs, cultures and languages worldwide.
Hip hop originated from economically-disadvantaged communities but has quickly become a worldwide phenomenon. Genres associated with it such as gangsta rap, gangster rap and southern rap have become immensely popular worldwide; additionally it has had an effect on other music genres such as pop and rock.
Hip hop culture began on the streets of New York City. Born from its ghettos where residents faced socio-economic difficulties and no recreational outlets, hip hop provided youth an outlet to express themselves freely while creating an invaluable sense of community – an aspect central to hip hop culture today.
Rappers used music to express their struggles against poverty and violence through lyrics that expressed them through music. While some of their content may appear negative, it’s important to realize they were simply reflecting their reality; moreover, many underlying messages found within hip hop songs provide guidance and hope for young people experiencing similar circumstances.
As hip hop developed, DJs like Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa laid the foundation of modern rap music with beat production and the introduction of MC rhyming over it. Early rhythmic chants eventually evolved into more intricate metaphorical lyrics as more mature artists such as Melle Mel, KRS-One, and Rakim experimented with internal rhymes where words pair in midline rather than at its conclusion.
By the 1990s, hip hop had overtaken rock as the leading musical genre in America and spread globally; including to Britain where it was known by its original nickname – grime.
The Influence of Hip-Hop on Fashion
Hip hop first emerged as a music genre in the 1970s, and since then its cultural impact has been profoundly felt through fashion. From oversized clothing to bold colors, its distinct style has had an immense effect on fashion trends throughout time – even leading to collaborations with luxury brands.
Hip hop’s roots lie in its origins as a response to social injustice. Youth living in areas like the Bronx in New York City formed block parties and found expressive outlets through rhythmic forms for their sorrow. Hip hop creators such as Grandmaster Flash, DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa were adept at channeling these feelings of despair into something creative; today hip hop thrives thanks to them all!
One such outlet was singing songs filled with boastful, casual boasting, and sexual innuendo – often combined with sexual overtones – as an outlet. Over time this evolved into long sessions of spoken rhythmic wordplay known as rapping, particularly since synthesizers and drum machines became more affordable during the 1980s – Roland’s TR-808 drum machine being one such machine widely credited with giving hip hop its signature bass drum sound.
Rappers are revered as style icons by their fans, looking up to them for style inspiration and direction. Rappers also serve as tastemakers themselves by regularly wearing the latest fashion brands and trends – this encourages their followers to invest in them further strengthening the bond between hip hop artists and the fashion industry.
Hip hop’s influence on fashion has been tremendous, yet some critics argue that its cultural roots may have been lost with more commercial rappers entering the scene and pushing toward materialism and market success instead of providing empowerment to black communities through hip hop music.
However, many of the biggest names in hip hop have managed to remain faithful to its core principles and remain relevant over time. By adopting elements from streetwear into their wardrobes, they have created an aesthetic which has become associated with hip hop music.
The Influence of Hip-Hop on Social Media
Hip hop music has had an indelible mark on pop culture from fashion to sports. Young people identify strongly with its message and style; its music often promotes luxury brands in its hit songs while popularizing flashy jewelry and designer clothes among younger black audiences. Hip hop has also had other significant impacts on fashion by popularizing African print fabrics as well as offering more casual yet laid-back looks.
Hip-hop music draws influence from inner city communities ravaged by drugs, poverty and racial discrimination. Hip-hop lyrics reflect these conditions while encouraging young people to express themselves creatively through poetry, dance and music. Hip-hop has also been used as a form of social activism by calling attention to issues affecting minority groups or advocating policy changes that directly benefit these minority communities.
DJ Kool Herc revolutionized the music scene in 1973 by expanding an instrumental beat through turntable scratching (breaking) and creating a spoken rhythm of words (MCing or rapping). Other MCs adopted his technique, using more rhymed phrases with internal rhymes for musical and entertaining effect. These artists were among the first to incorporate sounds from real life into their music, leading to its hardened edged sound.
As Hip-hop became increasingly popular, it quickly evolved into a means of self-expression and cultural exchange. Music provided young people with a means to establish their identities while garnering respect from peers; its rap culture created a sense of community belonging.
Hip-hop’s rise has become an international phenomenon that continues to spread its reach and evolve into various subgenres that reflect its social activism and expressive nature.
Hip-hop has expanded into television shows such as Late Night Show with David Letterman, providing rappers a platform to further spread their message about societal changes they want to see – whether addressing police brutality or encouraging political activism.