The Evolution of Black Hip Hop Music

A comprehensive look at the evolution of black hip hop music, from its roots in the 1970s to its modern incarnation.

The Birth of Hip Hop

In the 1970s, a new type of music emerged in the Bronx, New York. This music was called hip hop. It was a blend of different types of music, including R&B, soul, and funk. Hip hop was created by African American and Latino youth who were looking for a way to express themselves.

DJ Kool Herc

DJ Kool Herc is a puerto rican dj who is credited with being one of the pioneers of hip hop music. He is best known for his use of the turntable as a musical instrument, and his technique of cutting and scratching records to create new and unique sounds.

Kool Herc was born in 1955 in the Bronx, New York. He began djing parties in the early 1970s, and soon developed a following among the city’s black youth. His style of music was influenced by Jamaican Dub and African American Soul music.

Kool Herc’s innovation lay in his use of two turntables to extend the break section of a song. This “breakbeat” allowed dancers to have a longer time to dance, and also allowed for more creativity in their moves. Kool Herc’s style quickly caught on, and soon other djs began using his technique.

Hip hop music emerged from the shadows in the late 1970s, with artists like Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa creating music that would define a generation. Kool Herc may not be as well-known as some of these other artists, but his contributions to the genre are undeniable.

Afrika Bambaataa

Afrika Bambaataa is a name that comes up time and time again when discussing the origins of hip hop. Born Kevin Donovan in the Bronx in 1960, Bam began throwing hip hop parties in the 1970s, which would go on to have a huge influence on the development of the genre. He was also a founding member of the influential hip hop group the Zulu Nation. In 1982, he released the track “Planet Rock”, which would go on to become one of the most important songs in early hip hop history.

The Golden Age

Black hip hop music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the late 1970s. From an underground phenomenon to a multi-million dollar industry, the genre has undergone a major evolution. In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of black hip hop music and how it has changed over the years.

Run DMC

Run DMC was an American hip hop group from Queens, New York, founded in 1983. The group is widely recognized as one of the most influential groups in the history of hip hop music. They were the first group in the genre to have a gold album (their 1986 album Raising Hell), and their 1984 single “Rock Box” was the first rap song to enter the Billboard Top 40. They are also credited with helping to break down barriers between racial groups in the 1980s and 1990s by becoming mainstream pop icons.

Public Enemy

Public Enemy is one of the most important and influential hip hop groups of all time. They were formed in 1986, and their debut album Yo! Bum Rush the Show was released in 1987. From there, they went on to release a string of highly acclaimed and successful albums, including It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988), Fear of a Black Planet (1990), and Apocalypse 91…The Enemy Strikes Black (1991). Public Enemy was known for their politically charged lyrics and their radical stance on social and political issues. They were also one of the first hip hop groups to use samples extensively in their music, and they helped to pioneer the genre of hardcore hip hop. Public Enemy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, and they continue to be revered as one of the most important groups in hip hop history.

The New School

When most people think of black hip hop music, they think of the old school. They think of artists like Tupac and Biggie. They think of a time when rap was about stories and struggle. But black hip hop music has evolved since then. Today, there is a new school of black hip hop artists. These artists are making music that is reflective of the black experience in America today.

Wu-Tang Clan

The Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop group from Staten Island, New York City, originally composed of East Coast rappers RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa. Longtime collaborator Cappadonna became an official member in 2007. The Wu-Tang Clan has released seven gold and platinum studio albums with worldwide sales of more than 40 million albums. Its 1993 debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), is considered one of the greatest albums in hip-hop history.

Nas

Nas was born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones on September 14, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in the tough Queensbridge Projects, he began writing his own rhymes as a young teenager. In 1991, he linked up with fellow Queens-based rapper AZ and recorded their first song together, “Life’s a Bitch.” The track appeared on AZ’s debut album Doe or Die (1995), and Nas’ collaboration helped to raise his profile in the hip-hop world.

The Mainstream

Jay-Z

Jay-Z is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is one of the most commercially successful hip hop artists of all time, with 13 Grammy Awards and over 100 million records sold worldwide. He is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time.

Jay-Z began his career in the mid 1990s, releasing his debut album Reasonable Doubt in 1996. He released his second album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 in 1997, which was certified four times platinum by the RIAA. His third album Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life was released in 1998 and became his first top five album on the Billboard 200, going platinum five times in the US. Jay-Z’s The Blueprint (2001) was born during what became known as the Roc-A-Fella dynasty. It peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 and received widespread critical acclaim, with critics largely praising Jay-Z’s lyrical personal storytelling about his own life experiences.

In 2003, Jay-Z embarked on a successful retirement tour, hyping up his forthcoming The Black Album with a release date of December 2003 (later pushed back to November 28). On November 25, 2003, he appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote The Black Album and announced his retirement from making solo albums; he stated that The Black Album would be his final solo LP. But after much anticipation and fanfare, Jay-Z returned to rap with guest appearances on other artist’s tracks and the release of a new album—Kingdom Come—in 2006; this was followed by another solo album—American Gangster—in 2007. In 2009, he collaborated with R&B singer Alicia Keys on “Empire State of Mind”, which became one of his most successful singles peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning him five Grammy Awards including Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year.

Kanye West

Kanye West is one of the most popular and successful rappers of all time. He has been nominated for 21 Grammy Awards, winning nine. He is also one of the most critically acclaimed rappers, with his albums My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Yeezus both receiving universal acclaim from music critics. His style of rapping is unique and often uses a rapid-fire delivery. Kanye is also known for his outspoken and controversial statements, which have led to him being both praised and criticized by the public.

The Future of Hip Hop

Hip hop music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the South Bronx in the 1970s. What started out as a way for inner-city youths to express themselves has now become a global phenomenon, with artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Drake topping the charts and selling out stadiums. But what does the future hold for hip hop?

Chance the Rapper

Chance the Rapper is one of the most popular and acclaimed rappers of his generation. Hailing from Chicago, Chance first gained notoriety with his 2013 mixtape Acid Rap, which was widely praised for its innovative and experimental take on hip hop. He followed this up with 2016’s Coloring Book, which was even more successful, winning three Grammy Awards and cementing his status as one of the most exciting and important voices in music today.

Chance is known for his unique style, which blends traditional hip hop with elements of jazz, soul, and pop. He often works with live musicians in his recordings and live performances, something that sets him apart from many other rappers. He is also an outspoken advocate for social justice, using his platform to speak out against racism, police brutality, and other issues affecting the black community.

With two highly successful albums already under his belt, there is no doubt that Chance the Rapper is one of the brightest stars in hip hop today. His positive message, innovative style, and commitment to social justice make him an inspiration to fans all over the world.

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is one of the most successful and acclaimed rappers of his generation. His music is marked by its honesty, its deep exploration of the human experience, and its commitment to social justice. As hip hop continues to evolve, Kendrick Lamar is one of the artists leading the way.

Born and raised in Compton, California, Kendrick Lamar began rapping at a young age. He first gained attention with his mixtapes, which led to him signing with Top Dawg Entertainment, an independent record label. In 2012, he released his first studio album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, to critical acclaim. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

good kid, m.A.A.d city was hailed as a masterpiece by many critics, with some calling it one of the best hip hop albums of all time. The album tells the story of Kendrick Lamar’s upbringing in Compton and explores themes of violence, crime, and poverty. It was nominated for seven Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and won five, including Best Rap Album.

Kendrick Lamar’s second studio album, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015), was even more successful than his debut album. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and received universal acclaim from critics. The album explores themes of race, politics, and self-empowerment; it won five Grammy Awards out of eleven nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Rap Album.

Kendrick Lamar’s third studio album DAMN., released in 2017, was another critical and commercial success. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and won five Grammy Awards out of seven nominations—Kendrick Lamar became the first rapper to win Best Rap Performance three times in a row—including Best Rap Album for a second time.

DAMN.’s success cemented Kendrick Lamar’s position as one of the most important artists in hip hop today. His music is widely respected for its artistic ambition and its commitment to social justice; he has been hailed as “the king of rap” by Rolling Stone magazine and “the greatest rapper alive” by GQ magazine. As hip hop continues to evolve into new territory in the 21st century, Kendrick Lamar is sure to remain one of its most vital voices