Hip-hop is a genre of music that originated in the United States in the 1970s. It is characterized by a strong, rhythmic beat and a rapping vocal track. The genre has evolved over time and now includes a variety of sub-genres, such as gangster rap, conscious rap, and trap music.
The instrumental components of hip-hop music typically include drum machines, turntables, synthesizers, and samplers. The vocal styles in hip-hop are diverse and can range from spoken word to singing to rapping. The lyrics in hip-hop are often socially conscious and address issues such as poverty, racism, and police brutality. They can also be about personal experiences, relationships, or simply having fun.
What earlier music genres fed into Hip Hop?
Hip hop music has its roots in several earlier music genres, including funk, blues, jazz, and rhythm and blues recordings from the 60s, 50s, and earlier. The genre was born in the summer of 1973 at a block party in New York City’s Bronx when DJ Kool Herc extended the beat of a recording using two turntables and a mixer to fade between them, then started emceeing as the music continued. His techniques came to be known as scratching and rapping — two of the key elements in hip-hop music. The early to mid-1980s gave rise to hip-hop’s second wave, also known as new school hip-hop, which saw a departure from many of the old school’s traits.
Where and how Hip Hop started?
Hip hop is a cultural movement that emerged from the Bronx in New York City during the early 1970s. It is a subculture and an art movement that incorporates different elements of art.Four foundational elements characterize hip hop culture: DJing/turntablism, MCing/rapping, B-boying/breaking, and visual/graffiti art. These forms of expression have also developed into further subcultures with lasting legacies. The intersection of these four elements generated a cultural revolution that rapidly spread across the globe.The global influence of hip hop culture has shaped music styles, fashion, technology, art, entertainment, language, dance, education, politics, media, and more.
Evolution of Hip-Hop
1979 Hip Hop
"Rapper's Delight", by The Sugar Hill Gang
“Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang was the first hip hop single ever to reach the Billboard top 40. Prior to the success of “Rapper’s Delight,” hip hop was little known outside of New York City, and little known even within New York City by those whose orbits were limited to Midtown and Downtown Manhattan. The basic elements of hip hop—MCs rapping, DJs mixing and scratching, B-Boys break-dancing—were all in place by 1979, but you could not walk into a record store in Times Square and buy a hip-hop album. Hip hop was something you had to go out to a watch like a concert.
The Sugarhill Gang
Michael "Wonder Mike"
Wright, Henry "Big Bank Hank" Jackson
Guy "Master Gee" O'Brien.
2002 Hip-Hop
During these years Hip-Hop music actually adopted a sort of R&B style to their music the flow started to change up a bit. In all Hip-Hop in 2002 was nothing short of amazing.
Fat Joe - What's Luv?
The song was produced by Irv Gotti and Chink Santana. It was released in the United States on February 4, 2002, and peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart that April, becoming Fat Joe’s highest-charting single as a lead artist. The single stayed on the chart for 20 weeks.
Fat Joe AKA
Joseph Antonio Cartagena
2015 Hip-Hop
In 2002, hip-hop was dominated by artists such as Fat Joe and the Sugarhill gang. In contrast, 2015 saw the rise of new artists such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Drake. The sound of hip-hop also changed over time. In 2002, the genre was characterized by heavy beats and aggressive lyrics. In contrast, 2015 saw a shift towards more introspective lyrics and a more melodic sound. This is where you see R&B fusing and taking a part in Hip-Hop.
"The Woods," by Angel Haze
The lyrics of the song are introspective and emotional, with themes of grief, loss, and longing for home.The song’s chorus is particularly memorable, with Haze singing “Back to the woods now, I’m going back to the woods / My heart is no good here / Oh, it doesn’t work like it should, was raised by the wolves”. This song was particularly famous for the emotional and vulnerable parts of the song.
Hip-Hop in 2023
Hip-hop has been a popular genre for decades, but in 2023, it continued to gain momentum and evolve. According to Rolling Stone, the genre’s rising vanguard is a testament to the dynamic makeup of the genre entering its fiftieth year. The Economist reported that hip-hop’s future will be less American and more global.
"Kant Nobody", By Lil Wayne
This is a song by American rapper Lil Wayne, released on February 23, 2023. The song, which features sampled vocals from late fellow American rapper DMX, was produced by Swizz Beatz and Avenue Beatz. It was included on Lil Wayne's first greatest hits album.
Summary of overall change of Hip-Hop from 1970s - 2023
The Hip-Hop industry has undergone significant changes since its inception in the 1970s. The sound of Hip-Hop has evolved from heavy beats and rhymes that were meant to be danced to, to a genre that tackles social issues and tells personal stories. The way Hip-Hop is consumed has also changed; whereas vinyl records were once the norm, streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music are now the primary means by which people listen to music. The rise of digital music has also played a significant role in the transformation of the Hip-Hop industry. Many Hip-Hop artists now release their music exclusively online, and many radio stations play only digital music. The internet has changed the way Hip-Hop music is distributed, and social media has changed the way Hip-Hop artists promote their music. Streaming services have changed the way people consume Hip-Hop music. The changing demographics of the Hip-Hop audience have also changed the industry. In addition, the changing economics of the music industry has changed the Hip-Hop industry. In recent years, streaming has become the dominant form of music consumption, and as a result, labels have had to adapt their business models accordingly. Finally, the rise of independent Hip-Hop labels has also changed the industry.
Sources
2023 walnutcreekband. “How Hip Hop Music Industry Has Changed Over the Years.”
Hey Chris! I loved learning about Hip-Hop and how is developed into how it is today! I found it very interesting that the lyrics in hip-hop are often socially conscious and address issues such as poverty, racism, and police brutality. I didn’t know that! I also found it very cool that “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang was the first hip hop single ever to reach the Billboard top 40.
Hey Chris, I liked this blog post a lot because you focused mainly on the creation of rap and hip hop, which is something a lot of people do not know about since 80% of hip hop has been created recently. I enjoy a lot of artists you mentioned and good job
Hi Chris, I liked hearing about the origins of hip-hop as although it's a relatively new genre, I did not know the specifics of its origin. I also really liked "The Woods" by Angel Haze because it does include very emotional and well-written lyrics that I could resonate with.
Hi, my name is Chris Tyra, and I am a freshman at Converse. For most of my life I played soccer and I have always listened to music since I was 5. When I was in middle school I played flute, and I actually did really well. Playing music everyday was a way for me to drift off into the world and just have fun all while listening to my own music. My parents got me into music, and they always used to tell me that music is what connects people and others around them. I was originally born in Russia but now I live in Greer, SC. I plan to study Hr. management at Converse, and I also plan to continue my career as a soccer player too. Now before I lived in SC I used to live in Louisville Kentucky, and I also played soccer there too. I grew up on a country road honestly in the middle of nowhere. 1. One of my favorite artists for a while has been a band called One Republic. This was a band that was introduced in the year of 2002, and the people in this band are, Ryan Tedder ...
During my time playing flute through-out middle school and high school I played a multiple rituals like weddings, different holidays, and one funeral. During my time playing for each of these events I found that the most enjoyable thing was to play at weddings. This is because I like to help celebrate other people`s fortune especially when two people find a genuine connection between each other. During special events like this I feel like the music has a great role in our lives because it sets a mood of happiness. One of my favorite pieces of music from weddings is "Married Life" - Michael Giacchino. This song was introduced to me by my grandmother, and it was played at my parents' wedding. I remember that the first time I heard this song was when I was with my grandmother, and I could not help but reminisce about my family and loved ones. This music was also played in the movie UP so it may seem familiar to most people. My second piece of music is one from ...
Hey Chris! I loved learning about Hip-Hop and how is developed into how it is today! I found it very interesting that the lyrics in hip-hop are often socially conscious and address issues such as poverty, racism, and police brutality. I didn’t know that! I also found it very cool that “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang was the first hip hop single ever to reach the Billboard top 40.
ReplyDeleteHey Chris, I liked this blog post a lot because you focused mainly on the creation of rap and hip hop, which is something a lot of people do not know about since 80% of hip hop has been created recently. I enjoy a lot of artists you mentioned and good job
ReplyDeleteHi Chris, I liked hearing about the origins of hip-hop as although it's a relatively new genre, I did not know the specifics of its origin. I also really liked "The Woods" by Angel Haze because it does include very emotional and well-written lyrics that I could resonate with.
ReplyDelete