Old School Hip Hop and Skate Music: A Match Made in Heaven

Old school hip hop and skate music have always had a special connection. The two genres share a love of creative expression and a DIY approach to making art. And now, with a new generation of skaters and hip hop fans discovering the joys of both genres, the connection is stronger than ever.

The Connection between Hip Hop and Skateboarding

Skateboarding and hip hop have been intertwined since the early days of both cultures. The music has always been a big part of skateboarding, with tracks often being used as the soundtrack to skate videos. The two cultures have also had a huge influence on each other, with skateboarders adopting the fashion and style of hip hop.

The Origins of Hip Hop

Most people know hip hop as a musical genre, but it is much more than that. It is a culture that includes DJing, graffiting, breakdancing, and, of course, rap music. Hip hop emerged in the early 1970s in the South Bronx section of New York City. It was brought about by African American and Latino youths who were looking for a way to express themselves and escape the poverty and violence of their everyday lives.

One of the most important aspects of hip hop is its emphasis on creativity and self-expression. This is evident in the way that DJs would sample and loop pieces of music to create new tracks, or how graffiti artists would use public spaces to showcase their art. This DIY ethic is also present in skateboarding culture, which began around the same time as hip hop. Like hip hop, skateboarding was born out of a need for self-expression and an alternative to mainstream culture.

It’s no surprise then that hip hop and skateboarding have always had a close connection. Skateboarders were some of the first people to adopt hip hop culture, and many early skate videos featured rap music. Today, there are still many skaters who identify as being part of the hip hop community. And while the two cultures have evolved over time, they continue to be linked by their shared values of creativity, individuality, and self-expression.

The Origins of Skateboarding

Skateboarding is a relatively new sport, having only gained popularity in the 1950s. However, its roots can be traced back to the early 1900s when kids in California would surf on flattened wooden boxes. These kids were called “sidewalk surfers” and their activities eventually led to the development of the first skateboards.

The first skateboards were made from hardwood maple planks that had roller skate wheels attached to them. These boards were difficult to control and not very safe, but they became popular nonetheless. In the mid-1950s, a more practical design was created that featured clay wheels and a metal plate on the bottom of the board. This new design made skateboarding easier and more fun, leading to its increasing popularity.

As skateboarding became more popular, it began to be associated with certain subcultures, such as hippies and surfers. In the early 1970s, skaters started creating their own music to skate to, which led to the development of punk rock and hip hop. These genres of music fit perfectly with the DIY culture of skating and soon became hugely popular among skaters.

The Influence of Hip Hop on Skateboarding

Since the early days of hip hop, skateboarders have been drawn to the music and culture. The rebellious attitude, DIY ethic, and creative expression of hip hop appealed to skateboarders who often felt like outcasts. The music and fashion of hip hop also had a big influence on skateboarding culture. In the early days of hip hop, fashion was often DIY and included things like oversized clothes, graffiti, and bright colors. This fashion sense was often seen in skateboarding culture as well.

The Evolution of Skateboarding

It’s no secret that skateboarding and hip hop go hand in hand. After all, skate culture has always been about rebellion, creativity, and self-expression—all values that are also intrinsic to hip hop. In the early days of skateboarding, songs by old school hip hop artists like Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash were some of the most popular tunes to skate to. As skateboarding evolved, so did the music that accompanied it. Today, there is an entire subgenre of hip hop devoted to skate culture—and it’s only getting bigger and more popular.

Skateboarding first gained popularity in the 1950s as a pastime for surfers who wanted something to do when the waves weren’t cooperating. The sport quickly caught on, and by the 1970s, it was a full-fledged cultural phenomenon. The first mass-produced skateboards were made of wood with clay wheels, and they were ridden without any protective gear—if you fell, you got scraped up. This DIY approach to skating was part of what made it so appealing to young people at the time.

As more and more people started skating, new styles and tricks began to emerge. In the 1980s, vert skating (skateboarding on half pipes and other vertical surfaces) became popular, thanks in part to professional skaters like Tony Hawk and Steve Caballero. Street skating also gained prominence in the ’80s—and with it came a new wave of skaters who were heavily influenced by hip hop culture.

It wasn’t long before rappers started referencing skate culture in their songs. In 1986, LL Cool J released “Go Cut Creator Go,” which mentioned several famous skaters by name. The Beastie Boys—who were huge fans of skating—also frequently name-dropped skaters in their songs (most notably Mike D in “No Sleep Till Brooklyn”). As hip hop continued to grow in popularity throughout the ’90s, so did its influence on skating. By the early 2000s, there was a whole new generation of skaters who had grown up listening to hip hop—and they were bringing their own unique style to the sport.

Today, there are dozens of well-known skaters who are also successful hip hop artists—and vice versa. Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, Tyler the Creator, Kid Cudi, Mac Miller…the list goes on. It’s clear that the connection between skate culture and hip hop is stronger than ever—and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down anytime soon.

The Impact of Hip Hop on Skateboarding

The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of hip hop music, which had a profound impact on skateboarding culture. Hip hop music provided a lively and energetic soundtrack for skateboarders as they performed their tricks, and it also helped to shape the fashion and style of skating. Many of the early skateboarders were inspired by the hip hop artists of the day, and they began to emulate their style both on and off the board.

Today, hip hop continues to be a major influence on skateboarding culture. Skateboarders often listen to hip hop music while they skate, and many of them adopt the fashion and style of hip hop culture. Hip hop has also been a major source of inspiration for many professional skaters, who have incorporated elements of hip hop into their skating routines.

The Influence of Skateboarding on Hip Hop

While hip hop and skateboarding may seem like two completely different worlds, they have actually been connected since the early days of each respective subculture. Hip hop has long been associated with rebelliousness and skating, with its DIY attitude and individualism, has been as well.

The Evolution of Hip Hop

The evolution of hip hop can be traced back to the 1970s when block parties became popular in New York City. At these parties, DJs would play music and people would dance. This new type of music quickly caught on and soon spread to other parts of the country.

As hip hop continued to evolve, it began to incorporate elements of other genres, including rock, R&B, and even classical music. Skateboarding culture also began to influence hip hop, as many rappers and DJs started to embrace the punk and alternative styles of music that were popular with skateboarders.

Today, hip hop is one of the most popular genres of music in the world. It has also had a major influence on fashion, language, and culture.

The Impact of Skateboarding on Hip Hop

Skateboarding and hip hop have been linked together since the early days of both subcultures. The link is evident in the music, fashion and attitudes of both groups.

The connection between skateboarding and hip hop can be traced back to the 1970s. At that time, skateboarding was becoming popular in Southern California, where many of the early pioneers of hip hop were also based. There were similarities between the two groups in terms of their DIY ethic and their love of street culture.

Many of the early hip hop artists were also avid skateboarders. They would often incorporate references to skateboarding into their songs. For example, rapper Rodney O & Joe Cooley recorded a song called “Skateboard P” in 1985. The song was based around the experience of skating in Venice Beach, California.

In the 1990s, skateboarding began to enjoy a renaissance thanks to the popularity of street skating and vert skating. At this time, many skateboarders began to embrace hip hop culture. This was evident in the fashion, music and attitude of many skaters.

The influence of skateboarding on hip hop can still be seen today. Skate culture has had a significant impact on fashion, music and art within the hip hop community.