Italian Music and Hip Hop – A Perfect Combination
Contents
Who says Italian music and hip hop can’t go together? We think they make a perfect combination! Check out our latest blog post to see why.
Introduction
Italian music and Hip Hop have always had a special relationship. The two genres have frequently been blended together by DJs and producers, resulting in some truly unique and innovative tracks.
The popularity of Italian music within the Hip Hop community is no coincidence. The two genres share a number of common elements, including a focus on rhythm, a love of wordplay, and a passion for storytelling. When these elements are combined, the results can be truly spectacular.
If you’re a fan of either Italian music or Hip Hop, then you owe it to yourself to check out the tracks on this list. You’re sure to find something that you’ll love!
The History of Italian Music
Italy has a long and rich history when it comes to music. From the early days of opera to the more recent days of hip hop, Italy has always had a place in the music world. In this article, we’re going to take a look at the history of Italian music and how it has influenced the world of hip hop.
Pre-1900s
The late Medieval period in Italy saw the rise of the precursors of Italian classical music. chief amongst these was Guido d’Arezzo, who is credited with introducing solmization (a method for sight-reading musical notation). He also codified rules for musical notation which were to serve as the basis for notation for centuries to come. Other important figures from this period include Leonardo da Vinci and Francesco Landini.
The Renaissance period saw the birth of truly Italian opera in Florence, with works such as Jacopo Peri’s Dafne and Emilio de’ Cavalieri’s Rappresentatione di Anima et di Corpo. Italian madrigals, primarily written by Andrea Gabrieli and Giovanni Palestrina, were extremely popular in this period.
1600s to early 1800s – The Baroque Period
The early 17th century saw a return to complex polyphony (multiple independent melody lines sounding simultaneously). This was exemplified by the works of Claudio Monteverdi, who wrote some of the first truly great works of opera such as L’Orfeo and Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria. This was followed by a number of other important composers including Alessandro Scarlatti, Antonio Vivaldi and Domenico Scarlatti. The latter part of the 17th century saw a move towards simpler music, often called “the galant style”, as typified by the works of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi and Alessandro Stradella.
The 18th century was a time of great change in Italian opera. Niccolo Jommelli and Luigi Boccherini ushered in a new era with their “reformed” operas which included reduced orchestration and choruses, as well as increased use of recitative (speaking instead of singing). This led to a decline in popularity for opera seria (serious opera), which was replaced by a new form called opera buffa (comic opera). Opera buffa reached its zenith with the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who wrote several masterpieces in this genre including The Marriage of Figaro and Così fan tutte.
1900s
The beginning of the 1900s in Italy were dominated by two main composers: Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini. Verdi, an Opera composer, is considered to be one of the greatest composers of all time. His most famous works include “Rigoletto” (1851), “Il trovatore” (1853), “La traviata” (1853), “Don Carlos” (1867), and “Aida” (1871). Puccini, on the other hand, was an Italian Romantic composer whose most famous works include Madama Butterfly (1904) and Turandot (1926).
The early 1900s were also marked by the birth of Italian Folk music. This new genre was a combination of traditional Italian music with influences from other countries, such as Spain and France. Some of the most popular folk songs from this period include “Ghirlandina” (1907) and “Bella ciao” (1943).
Post-1900s
In the early 1900s, Guglielmo Marconi invented the radio, which quickly became a staple in Italian households. Radio broadcasts of popular music brought about a boom in the popularity of jazz and swing music in Italy. Tango, which originated in Argentina, also became popular in Italy during this time. In the 1920s and 1930s, several Italian composers wrote songs that would later become classics, including “Volare” by Domenico Modugno and “Torna a Surriento” by Ernesto de Curtis.
During World War II, Italy was divided into two parts: the north, which was occupied by Nazi Germany, and the south, which was controlled by the Allied Powers. This division led to two distinct musical styles developing in the country. In the north, German influences led to the development of a new style known as “canto neorealista,” or “neorealist singing.” This style was characterized by simple melodies and lyrics that told stories of everyday life. In contrast, the music of the south was more upbeat and optimistic, reflecting the hope for an end to the war.
After the war ended, canto neorealista fell out of favor and was replaced by a new style known as “canto popolare.” This style incorporated elements of both classical and popular music and featured lyrics that were often critical of Italian society. Canto popolare remained popular throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
In the 1970s, disco began to gain popularity in Italy. This genre reached its peak in 1977 with the release of “Funkytown” by Lipps Inc., which topped charts around Europe. However, disco’s popularity soon began to decline, due in part to its association with Mafia-controlled nightclubs.
The 1980s saw a resurgence in canto popolare, with artists like Francesco De Gregori and Lucio Dalla achieving mainstream success. During this decade, Italian hip hop also began to develop, with groups like Articolo 31 and Colle der Fomento gaining attention for their social commentary-laden lyrics.
The 1990s were a period of great change for Italian music. During this decade, electronic dance music (EDM) began to gain popularity, culminating in 1996 with DJ Motorola’s hit song “Dov’è l’amore.” At the same time, traditional canto popolare continued to be popular among older listeners while newer artists like Tiziano Ferro achieved crossover success with teenage audiences.
The 2000s saw EDM continue to grow in popularity, with several Italian DJs achieving international fame. Meanwhile, canto popolare underwent something of a revival thanks to artists like Gino Paoli and Fabrizio De André. In recent years, trap music has also become popular in Italy thanks to artists like Sfera Ebbasta and Mahmood.
The History of Hip Hop
Hip hop music originated in the 1970s in New York City, when DJs began to isolate the percussion break from funk or disco songs and create rhythmic beats by looping them repeatedly. This new style of music quickly gained popularity and became known as rap. In the 1980s, rap music became more popular with the release of hits such as “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang.
Pre-1980s
The history of hip hop music dates back to the early 1970s, when DJs in New York City began experimenting with using turntables to create new and unique sounds. This soon led to the development of a new form of dance, known as breakdancing, which quickly became popular in the streets and clubs. As the popularity of hip hop grew, so did the popularity of rap music, which is a style of music that consists of rhyming lyrics spoken over a rhythmic beat.
Rap music first gained mainstream attention in the early 1980s with the release of “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang. This song was followed by a number of other hits, such as “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and “Walk This Way” by Run-DMC. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, hip hop music experienced a golden era, with artists such as Public Enemy, N.W.A., and Tupac Shakur achieving massive success.
Today, hip hop is one of the most popular genres of music in the world, and its influence can be seen in many other genres, such as pop, rock, and even classical.
1980s
In the 1980s, the first Hip Hop tracks began to emerge from Italy. Italian Hip Hop started to take shape in 1981, when the first releases by emerging artists such as Sercho, Leroy and Nesli began to appear. These early tracks were heavily influenced by US Hip Hop, and combined elements of Rap, graffiti and DJing. However, as the Italian Hip Hop scene developed, it began to create its own distinctive sound and style.
During the 1980s, Italian Hip Hop became increasingly politicized, with many artists using their music to express their dissatisfaction with the country’s social and economic conditions. In 1987, the first ever Italian Hip Hop festival was held in Milan, and featured performances from a number of well-known artists such as MC Solaar and Jovanotti. This event helped to further raise the profile of Italian Hip Hop and consolidate the scene.
By the end of the 1980s, Italian Hip Hop had established itself as a legitimate musical genre, with a number of commercially successful releases such as Jovanotti’s ‘Lorenzo 1992’ album. The 1990s would see the genre continue to grow in popularity, with a new generation of artists such as Articolo 31 and Fabri Fibra helping to keep Italian Hip Hop at the forefront of the country’s music scene.
Post-1980s
After the 1980s, Hip Hop music was divided into two genres, East coast and West coast. The East coast was home to pioneering rappers such as Run DMC and the Beastie Boys, while the West coast was the birth-place of Gangster Rap with seminal acts such as N.W.A = and Dr. Dre. The rivalry between these two camps eventually led to the tragic murder of Tupac Shakur in 1996 and Biggie Smalls in 1997.
How Italian Music and Hip Hop Combine
The Sounds
The music of Italy has been influential to other countries in the world. It has been a source of inspiration for many musicians and continues to do so today. Italy is known for its opera, classical, and traditional music. However, the country has also produced a number of renowned pop, rock, and hip hop artists.
Italian music has been a major influence on the development of hip hop. Hip hop is a genre that was born in the United States in the 1970s. It is a genre that combines elements of African-American music, such as blues and jazz, with elements of Latino music, such as salsa and merengue. Hip hop is also characterized by its use of samples, or short clips of other songs that are mixed together to create a new song.
Many Italian musicians have sampled American hip hop artists and vice versa. American hip hop artists have often sampled Italian songs and incorporated them into their own music. This exchange of ideas and influences has led to the creation of some truly unique and innovative music.
The Lyrics
Rapper Federico Aloupis, also known as “Fedez,” is one of the most popular artists in Italy. His lyrics are often witty and sarcastic, with a touch of political commentary. In his song “Generazione boh,” he criticizes the Italian education system and the pressure young people face to succeed. In another song, “Stupid Girl,” he pokes fun at the superficiality of some women who only care about designer labels and expensive cars.
While Fedez’s lyrics might not be as deep or meaningful as those of some hip hop artists from the United States, they still offer a fresh perspective on life in Italy. His music is a perfect example of how Italian music and hip hop can combine to create something unique and interesting.
The Videos
Italian music and hip hop have always had a special relationship. From the early days of gangsta rap, Italian-American artists have been some of the most vocal and visible members of the hip hop community. Now, as the two genres continue to evolve, that relationship is only getting stronger.
In recent years, a new generation of Italian musicians has been experimenting with combining elements of hip hop and electronic music to create a unique sound that is quickly gaining popularity both in Italy and abroad. These artists are using hip hop as a way to express their identity and to connect with a global audience.
One of the most popular videos on YouTube right now is “Bella ciao” by DJ Shepdog featuring Alessandro Risko. The video has amassed over 2 million views since it was uploaded in May 2017.
Another popular video is “Amore Nel Hip Hop” by Alfa & Omega featuring Gemitaiz. This video was uploaded in March 2017 and has nearly 1 million views.
These videos are just two examples of the growing trend of Italian musicians using hip hop to reach a wider audience. As the popularity of this type of music continues to grow, it’s likely that we will see even more Italians using hip hop to express themselves and connect with the world.
Conclusion
It’s safe to say that Italian music and hip hop make a great combination. Italian music brings the soul and the energy, while hip hop brings the attitude and the edge. By combining these two genres, you can create something truly unique and special.
