Examples of Hip Hop Music

Check out these examples of hip hop music to get an idea of this popular genre.

Introduction

Hip hop is a type of music that was created by African American and Latino youths in the 1970s. It is a combination of Funk, Soul, Reggae, Disco and Rap. The first Hip Hop record was released in 1979 by Sugarhill Gang.

The Old School Era (1979-1986)

Hip hop music first emerged in the 1970s in the South Bronx in New York City. The first hip hop songs were created by DJs who mixed percussive tracks with existing songs. These early songs were not released commercially. In the 1980s, hip hop music became more mainstream with the release of commercially successful songs such as “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang and “The Breaks” by Kurtis Blow.

The Birth of Hip Hop

The Old School Era is generally considered to have ended around 1986, although some would argue that it ended as early as 1984. This is when rap music began to take on a more commercialized sound and style, and when the first Hip Hop tracks began to be played on the radio. The music of this era was marked by social consciousness, with songs that addressed issues like poverty, racism, and violence. This was also a time when many Hip Hop artist began to experiment with different styles, incorporating elements of R&B, Jazz, and Funk into their music. Some of the most popular artists from this era include Run DMC, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, and LL Cool J.

The Golden Age of Hip Hop

This time period is often referred to as the “Golden Age of Hip Hop” It was a time when the music was fresh and new, and the artists were creating something that had never been heard before. This was a time of great innovation in the genre, with artists like Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash paving the way for the future of hip hop.

The New School Era (1986-1993)

After the golden age of hip hop, the next era is generally agreed to be the new school era. This is a time when hip hop music was just beginning to get mainstream attention and when the first commercially successful hip hop albums were released. The new school era is often said to have started with Run-DMC’s 1986 album Raising Hell, which was the first hip hop album to go platinum. Other important albums from this era include N.W.A’s Straight Outta Compton (1988), Public Enemy’s It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988), and Beastie Boys’ Licensed to Ill (1986). These albums and others helped to establish hip hop as a viable commercial genre and paved the way for the success of future artists.

The Hardcore Rap Era (1993-1997)

In the Hardcore Rap era of Hip Hop, socially conscious themes became more prevalent in Rap music. Artists such as Boogie Down Productions, Public Enemy, and Schoolly D were some of the first Hip Hop artists to really make an impact with this type of music. Lyrics during this time were often harder-hitting and more explicit than those in the Old School era, reflecting the realities of life in inner-city America. This era was also marked by the birth of Gangsta Rap, which would go on to become one of the most popular (and controversial) subgenres of Hip Hop in the years to come.

The Mainstream Era (1997-present)

The golden age of hip hop is often associated with the East Coast rap scene that developed in the late 1980s. However, the mainstream era of hip hop, which is the focus of this article, began in the late 1990s and is still ongoing. This era is characterized by the commercialization of hip hop, with rap music becoming more mainstream and accessible to a wider audience.

The East Coast Renaissance

In the late 1990s, a renewed interest in East Coast hip hop emerged, fueled in part by The Notorious B.I.G.’s posthumous album Life After Death (1997), as well as the chart success of other East Coast artists such as Jay-Z, DMX, and Busta Rhymes. This resurgence was led by Monumental figures such as Diddy and Outkast, who would help keep the genre at its forefront for the next two decades.

The West Coast Resurgence

In the mid-1990s, a new generation of West Coast rappers, influenced by the G-funk sound of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, emerged. Rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, from Cleveland, Ohio, are noted for their rapid-fire delivery rapping style and for being one of the most commercially successful rap groups of all time selling over 50 million records. They are also associated with the short-lived East coast–West coast hip hop rivalry of the mid-1990s due to the murders of Tupac and Biggie.

The Dirty South Movement

The Dirty South is a region of the United States that is known for its hip hop music. The Dirty South is generally considered to be the southern states of the US, including Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The Dirty South Movement began in the late 1990s, as a reaction to the popularity of West Coast gangsta rap. Artists from the Dirty South began to make their own kind of hip hop music, which was influenced by both southern rock and blues music. This new sound was characterized by its heavy bass beats and its explicit lyrics. Some of the most popular Dirty South artists include Outkast, Lil Wayne, and T.I.

The Hip Hop Moguls

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hip Hop experienced a commercial resurgence due largely to the increasing popularity of rap music. This era, often referred to as the “mainstream era”, followed what is known as the “golden age” of Hip Hop. In this era, many rap artists achieved mainstream success and became some of the biggest names in popular music. These artists include, but are not limited to, Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, and Snoop Dogg.

In addition to these solo artists, many rap groups achieved mainstream success during this era. These groups include OutKast, The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, and Wu-Tang Clan. These artists and groups helped to make Hip Hop one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

The Mumble Rap Era

The Mumble Rap Era is a subgenre of Hip Hop characterized by rappers whose lyrics are difficult to understand. The term “mumble rap” is thought to have been coined by Wiz Khalifa in 2010. The mumble rap subgenre is often criticized for its lyrical content and lack of substance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many different types of hip hop music. Some of the most popular include trap, mumble rap, and conscious hip hop. Each type of hip hop has its own unique sound and style. Hip hop is a constantly evolving genre, so there are always new styles and subgenres emerging. If you’re a fan of hip hop, make sure to stay up to date on the latest trends so you can find the music that you enjoy the most.