Hip Hop Uncovered: The Music You Need to Know

If you’re a fan of hip hop, then you need to check out our blog Hip Hop Uncovered. We’ll keep you up to date on all the latest music and news in the hip hop world.

The Basics

Hip hop is a music genre that was created in the 1970s by African American and Latino American youths living in the South Bronx area of New York City. The music style is characterized by rap vocals and rhyming lyrics set to a syncopated, often percussive beat.

Defining Hip Hop

Hip Hop is a music genre that originated in the United States in the 1970s. It consists of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted. It developed as part of hip hop culture, a subculture defined by four key stylistic elements: MCing/rapping, DJing/scratching with turntables, break dancing, and graffiti writing. Other elements include sampling (or synthesis), and beatboxing.

Where Hip Hop Came From

The first Hip Hop party is generally accepted to have been held on August 11th, 1973, at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, New York. DJ Kool Herc, a Jamaican immigrant, was playing records at his sister’s back-to-school party when he began isolating the percussion breaks of songs – giving birth to break-beat deejaying and Hip Hop as a whole.

The Music

There is a lot of music out there and it can be hard to keep up with it all. That’s why we’re going to take a look at some of the best hip hop albums that you may have missed in the past year.

The Pioneers

While the South Bronx is considered by many to be the birthplace of hip hop, the music actually has its roots in a variety of places. Hip hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc was born in Jamaica and brought his love of Reggae and Dancehall music with him when he moved to the Bronx. Afrika Bambaataa, another hip hop pioneer, was heavily influenced by Soul, Funk, and Disco. And Grandmaster Flash, one of the most influential DJs of all time, got his start playing block parties in South Bronx housing projects.

All of these influences can be heard in the early hip hop tracks that started to gain popularity in the 1970s. These tracks featured simple beats that were easy to dance to, as well as rhymes that were often playful and lighthearted. Early hip hop pioneers like Sugarhill Gang, Kurtis Blow, and Doug E. Fresh helped to bring this new sound to a wider audience.

The Golden Age

The Golden Age of Hip Hop is often considered to be the 1980s and early 1990s. This was a time when the music was fresh and new, and artists were experiment with different sounds and styles. The Golden Age is often seen as a time when Hip Hop was at its purest, before it became commercialized and mainstream. Some of the most iconic and influential artists emerged during this time, including Run DMC, Public Enemy, and NWA.

The New School

The New School is a musical movement that is often referred to as the second wave of hip hop. It is characterized by its use of advanced technical skills, devices and techniques, as well as a focus on lyrical content and composition. The New School began in the early 1990s and its most prominent artists include Nas, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, and Tribe Called Quest.

The Culture

The hip-hop world is a ever-changing one, with new artists and styles constantly emerging. It can be hard to keep up with all the new music, but that’s where we come in. In this series, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best new hip-hop music, and explaining why it’s worth your time.

The Elements

The culture of hip hop is comprised of four primary elements: MCing/rapping, DJing/scratching, b-boying/break dancing, and graffiti writing. Although rap music is often considered the focal point of hip hop culture, all four elements are equally important to the art form. Without one element, hip hop would not be what it is today.

MCing, also known as rapping, is the act of rhyming lyrics over a beat. MCs can rap improvised lyrics or they can write and memorize their lyrics beforehand. Either way, the goal is to create a flowing rhyme scheme that captivates the listener and gets them moving. DJs, or turntablists, are responsible for creating the beats that rappers flow over. They do this by playing and scratching records on a turntable. B-boys and break dancers use their bodies to express themselves through dance. They often perform in cyphers, or circles, where dancers take turns showing off their skills in an improvised freestyle battle. Graffiti artists use their artistic talents to spray paint murals and tags throughout cities. This was originally done as a way to mark turf or signify gang affiliation but has since evolved into an art form in its own right.

All four elements are closely intertwined and work together to create the unique sound and feel of hip hop music.

The Fashion

Fashion in hip hop has changed a lot over the years. In the early days of hip hop, fashion was all about being comfortable and making a statement. Baggy jeans, oversized shirts, and sneakers were the norm. As hip hop evolved, so did the fashion. Loose-fitting clothes gave way to fitted garments and designer labels. Brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Dolce & Gabbana became popular among rappers and hip hop fans alike.

Today, fashion in hip hop is about individuality and self-expression. There are no hard and fast rules about what you should wear. You can see everything from distressed denim to high-end suits on the red carpet at hip hop Awards shows. While some artists dress to make a statement, others dress to keep it simple. No matter what your style is, there’s a place for you in hip hop fashion.

The Language

Hip Hop has its own language that is influenced by the African-American English dialect. To many people, it may sound like slang, but it is actually a very specific way of speaking that has been developed over time by the community.

This language includes words and phrases that have double meanings or convey a certain message or feeling. For example, the word “salty” can mean angry or upset, while “lit” can mean something is really good or exciting.

Some other popular words and phrases used in Hip-Hop include:
-“MC” (rapper)
-Bars (lines in a rap song)
-Beef (a feud or conflict)
-Bling (expensive jewelry)
-Crew (group of friends)
-dis/diss (disrespect)
-flame/flaming (to be very good at something)
-flow (rhythm of a rap song)
-haters (people who don’t like you)
-ill/sick (great)
-joint/jawn (a place or thing)

The Impact

The impact of Hip Hop can be seen and heard throughout the world. It has transcended race, culture, and language to become one of the most popular genres of music today. Hip Hop has also had a significant impact on fashion, art, and politics. Not only has it changed the way we see the world, but it has also helped to shape the world we live in today.

On the Music Industry

For the most part, the mainstream music industry has been pretty slow to catch on to hip hop. The industry bigwigs have written it off as a passing fad, something that would never have lasting appeal. But of course, they were dead wrong. Hip hop has only grown in popularity since its humble beginnings in the South Bronx in the 1970s, and today it is one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

While the mainstream music industry has largely ignored hip hop, there have been some notable exceptions. In 1979, disco diva Donna Summer released the song “Bad Girls,” which featured a guest rap from Sugarhill Gang member Big Bank Hank. The following year, Blondie released their landmark album Autoamerican, which included the hit single “Rapture” – one of the first songs to ever incorporate rap into its structure.

In 1986, Run-DMC released their third album Raising Hell, which included the singles “Walk This Way” and “My Adidas.” These songs were significant not only because they were huge commercial successes – becoming crossover hits on both pop and rock radio – but also because they helped break down barriers between different musical genres. Prior to Run-DMC’s success, it was very rare for a hip hop song to receive any sort of mainstream attention.

But despite these early breakthroughs, it was still several years before the music industry began to take hip hop seriously as a viable commercial genre. In 1993, Dr. Dre released his landmark album The Chronic, which introduced the world to West Coast gangsta rap and featured such now-classic singles as “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” and “Let Me Ride.” The success of The Chronic proved that hip hop could be more than just a passing fad – it could be a legitimate and profitable genre of music.

Since then, hip hop has continued to grow in popularity, with new subgenres and subcultures emerging every few years. And while the mainstream music industry is still playing catch-up when it comes to hip hop, there’s no doubt that this once-marginalized genre is now very much a part of the mainstream musical landscape.

On Pop Culture

In recent years, hip hop has had a huge impact on popular culture. It has infiltrated fashion, art, music, film and television. Hip hop is now one of the most popular genres of music, with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Drake and Cardi B topping the charts.

Hip hop has also had an influence on fashion. Streetwear brands such as Supreme and Off-White have become extremely popular in recent years, thanks in part to the endorsement of hip hop stars. High-end designers such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci have also collaborated with hip hop artists, creating limited edition collections that have been hugely popular with fans.

Artists such as Jay-Z and Kanye West have used their platform to speak out about social and political issues. They have used their music to raise awareness about racism, police brutality and other important topics. Hip hop has become a powerful voice for change in recent years.

Hip hop has also taken over the film and television industry. Shows such as “Empire” and “Power” are huge hits, while films such as “Straight Outta Compton” and “Get Out” have been critical and commercial successes. Hip hop is now one of the most dominant forces in entertainment.

There is no doubt that hip hop has had a huge impact on popular culture. It is now one of the most influential genres of music, art, fashion, film and television. Hip hop is here to stay – and it is only getting bigger and better.

On Society

Hip hop has become one of the most popular genres of music in recent years, and its impact has been felt across all aspects of society. From fashion and art to politics and social issues, hip hop has become a powerful voice in the world today.

For many people, hip hop is more than just music – it’s a way of life. It’s a culture that celebrates individuality and self-expression, and it has often been used as a tool for social change. Hip hop artists have used their platform to raise awareness about important issues such as racism, police brutality, and poverty.

In recent years, hip hop has also become a force in the business world. Hip hop moguls like Jay-Z and Diddy have built successful careers by expanding their brands into different industries. Their success has inspired other entrepreneurs to follow suit, and today hip hop is one of the most lucrative genres in the music industry.

As hip hop continues to grow in popularity, its impact on society is likely to only increase. It’s a genre that is here to stay, and its influence will be felt for years to come.