For my big blog post, I chose to select Hip Hop. In this first section, I will discuss the history of the American root genre. Hip-hop originated in the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s. The exact date and place of the birth are heavily conversationally debated. It started as a cultural movement with various elements, including music, dance, art, and fashion. Some early hip-hop pioneers are Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa. Hip-hop has evolved tremendously and spread globally, becoming one of the top significant and influential genres in music and entertainment.
Some common instruments and elements involved in hip-hop include drum machine which helps produce the beats, and Turntables which helps DJs scratch and manipulate vinyl records, creating very distinctive sounds and effects. Samplers are used to record and control various sounds, in thus creating loops and samples from existing music, speeches, or other sources. The lyrics in hip-hop follow a story that can be created in various aspects including rhyme schemes, cultural references, and metaphors. Below I will share a video that shows these elements in action!
DJ Kool Herc, a Jamaican-American DJ, is recognized for hosting the first hip-hop party in 1973. His innovative use of turntables and mixing techniques started the movement that we know as hip-hop music. He was a part of the Universal Zulu Nation (an organization founded by Afrika Bambaataa). The Zulu Nation played a significant role in spreading hip-hop culture and its positive message. His influence helped the development of rap music. His parties and performances featured MCs (masters of ceremonies) who rhymed over his beats. He has been an advocate for preserving the roots and history of hip-hop culture. He has also used genre for his platform to raise awareness about issues facing the hip-hop community, such as police brutality and racial inequality.
Hip-hop today has evolved for the better in technology and mixing of other subgenres. Mainstreaming has been successful over the years especially with hip hop because achieved international fame, topping charts. It's common now to see hip-hop songs and albums in the top genres in the world. Many hip-hop artists use the art to speak on social and political issues. The genre continued to be a platform for addressing racial injustice, police brutality, and other pressing matters. This is an important aspect because new issues are coming to light because of a certain artist using their brand to bring awareness but more importantly, change. Certain apps that have promoted this genre are Instagram and TikTok. TikTok became a major platform for promoting hip-hop music, with songs going viral on the app and propelling artists to fame. This is an advantage for those who want their art to be heard. Certain artists like to incorporate the original elements (90s and 80s) into their art to pay homage to the birth of hip-hop. Below I will insert a video by the rapper "Lil Baby" with his song "The Bigger Picture"
One of my favorite hip-hop artists is J. Cole. I will briefly give some history about J. Cole.
He was born on January 28, 1985, in Frankfurt, Germany, where his father was stationed in the U.S. Army. He was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He graduated magna cum laude from St. John's University in New York City with a degree in Communications and a minor in Business. He is a multi-talented artist and innovator. He produces most of his own music and is known for his storytelling abilities. The reason he is my favorite artist is because of his lyrics which contain metaphors and punchlines. He has been involved in social and political activism and has been vocal about issues like police brutality and racial injustice. Lastly, he is the founder of Dreamville Records, a record label with major artists like Bas, Cozz, J.I.D, and Ari Lennox. Below I will insert a song that is dear to my heart called "Window Pain".
Kendrick Lamar is similar to J Cole in certain aspects however, Kendrick Lamar is mostly storytelling. Kendrick Lamar was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California. He grew up in a dangerous neighborhood which he references in his music.In 2018, Kendrick Lamar made history by becoming the first non-classical or jazz artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music, awarded for "DAMN." His musical skills when presenting stories about his childhood, adolescence, and adult life are genius in the way he articulates the flow patterns. He has changed hip-hop by adding certain elements like his vocals to further stress his messages about living in Compton and life in general. Below I will insert a song by him called “The Art of Peer
Pressure”.
The last artist I would like to recognize as today's top hip-hop artist is Future. Some facts about Future are real name is Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn. He was born on November 20, 1983, in Atlanta, Georgia. He chose the stage name "Future" concerning his aunt's record label, which was called "The Future." He has earned various awards and nominations, which include a Grammy Award for his collaboration with Kendrick Lamar on "King's Dead." His music reflects his personal struggles about his experiences with addiction and failed relationships. Future is known for his distinctive style and influence on the genre. He can create catchy hooks and melodies. He also has a unique use of Auto-Tune. Below I will insert a song from Future called "Wait For You"
To conclude, Hip-Hop provides a powerful platform for artists to express themselves and tell their stories. It allows individuals to share their experiences, thoughts, and emotions through music, lyrics, and dance. Hip-hop addresses social issues, that include racism, poverty, violence, and inequality. It serves as a form of social commentary that helps communities, raises awareness, and promotes change. Internationally Hip-Hop has become a global phenomenon, spreading through borders and languages. It has influenced music, fashion, and art worldwide, developing connections among people of different cultures and backgrounds. Lastly, Hip-Hop uses storytelling through its lyrics. Artists can paint vivid pictures, share narratives, and explore complex themes and emotions through their lyrics and vocals.
References
PQ, R. (2023, May 23). Hip hop history: From the streets to the mainstream. ICON Collective Music Production School: LA & Online. https://www.iconcollective.edu/hip-hop-history.
Hip hop founder: Worldwide: DJ Kool Herc. djkoolherc. (n.d.). https://www.djkoolherc.com/.
Top hip-hop artists. Last. fm. (n.d.). https://www.last.fm/tag/hip-hop/artists.
A brief history of hip-hop at 50: Rap’s evolution from a Bronx Party to the Grammy Stage. Recording Academy. (n.d.). https://www.grammy.com/news/hip-hop-history-timeline-50th-anniversary-photos-videos-playlist.
Public Broadcasting Service. (n.d.). Birthplace of hip hop | history detectives. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/birthplace-of-hip-hop/.
I used ChatGPT to help organize my blog so it's not me just word vomiting and aid in making my blog flow better.
Hi! I really enjoyed reading your blog as I felt it was very detailed and well organized. Although this is a genre that I am fairly familiar with, I am happy to say that I learned a few more things from your blog, so thank you for that!
For this assignment, I chose to interview my uncle Travis. My uncle is 50 years old and has different musical tastes because of his age and generation. For this first section of the interview, I asked him what music he listened to when he was younger. Me: what were some artists you listened to growing up? Travis: I supposed Michael Jackson, Kool & the Gang, Run DMC, and LL Cool J. Me: Why do you think these were the type of music you listened to when you were younger? Travis: Most of my friends listen to the same music but I like working on cars especially when I was younger so those were the songs I played while working on cars. Me: What other ways you would listen to music besides working on cars? Travis: I would hear the music in the streets sometimes on Saturday afternoons or on TV. I really enjoy listening to songs with my wife because it makes the song more special. She and I have similar tastes in music. Below I will insert a song by Michael Jack...
This quote “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision” carries a profound message about the importance of having a vision or a sense of purpose in life. It suggests that having the ability to see with one's eyes is not enough if there is a lack of vision, direction, or a meaningful goal. To me, this quote emphasizes the significance of having a clear sense of purpose, goals, and values that guide one's actions and decisions. It implies that true fulfillment comes not just from the ability to perceive the physical world but from having a vision that provides meaning and direction to one's life. Being blind is a physical condition that restricts the perception of the external world. However, having sight without vision speaks to a state of aimlessness or a lack of a guiding principle. It suggests a life where one may go through the motions without a deeper understanding of one's purpose or a commitment to a broader perspective. In a broad...
To start off, my name is Dominique Pearson I play basketball at Converse University. I am from Sumter, South Carolina but I've also lived in Florida for five years. I like to take photos of different places I have traveled. The places I have been are California, New York, Jamaica, etc. My favorite color is blue because of the bright tone it has. My favorite foods are pasta and breakfast foods. My current go-to song is J. Cole's "No Role Modelz" from his project "2014 FOREST HILLS DRIVE". The reason this is my go-to school is the beat and rhythm. The beat has a horn in the background that blends well with the tone of his voice. Secondly, the reason the song is to go to is the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" references he makes throughout the song. This together brings back happy memories and this song is nostalgic for me. A song I find especially meaningful is Drake's "Do Not Disturb". This was one of many songs that got me through my firs...
I thought that your blog was very well organized and informative . It was informative and interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi! I really enjoyed reading your blog as I felt it was very detailed and well organized. Although this is a genre that I am fairly familiar with, I am happy to say that I learned a few more things from your blog, so thank you for that!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading about some of the history of hip hop and about the influence of significant artists on the genre.
ReplyDelete