What Instruments Are Used in Hip Hop Music?

Check out this blog post to learn about what instruments are used in hip hop music and how they create the signature sound.

Introduction

Hip hop music 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, break dancing, and graffiti writing. Other elements include sampling (or synthesis), and beatboxing. While often used to refer solely to rapping, “hip hop” more properly denotes the practice of the entire subculture. The term hip hop music is sometimes used synonymously with the term rap music, though rapping is not a required component of hip hop music; the genre may also incorporate other elements of hip hop culture, including DJing, turntablism, scratching, beatboxing and instrumental tracks. Hip hop as both a musical genre and a culture was formed during the 1970s when block parties became increasingly popular in New York City among African-American youth residing in the Bronx. However, it was not until 1979 that two African-American DJs named DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa created an uniqueness to hip hop by developing upon the use of breaks, which are pauses in between songs where they would play percussion “breaks” consisting of instruments such as drums and cymbals; Herc’s sister Coke La Rock provided rhyming lyrics chanted over these breaks. Hip hop music has been a powerful medium for protest throughout its history since its inception in New York City in the late 1970s.

The History of Hip Hop Music

Hip hop music, also called hip-hop or rap music, is a music genre consisting 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.

The Different Types of Hip Hop Music

Hip hop music is a genre of popular music that originated in the United States in the 1970s. It is characterized by a distinctive rhythmic style, and often contains samples from other genres of music.

There are many different types of hip hop music, each with its own unique features. Some of the most common types include:

East Coast hip hop: This type of hip hop originated in New York City, and is characterized by a heavy use of samples, and a focus on lyrical content.

West Coast hip hop: This type of hip hop originated in Los Angeles, and is characterized by a laid-back sound and a focus on gangsta rap.

G-funk: This type of hip hop emerged from the West Coast scene in the early 1990s, and is characterized by a heavy use of bass and synthesizers.

Southern rap: This type of hip hop originated in the Southern United States, and is characterized by its use of regional slang and its focus on street culture.

The Instruments Used in Hip Hop Music

Instrumentation in hip hop music has evolved over time, with the genre’s earliest tracks relying on simple, loop-based beats and samples. As the genre developed in the 1980s and 1990s, live instrumentation became more common, with bands often using drum machines, keyboards and turntables as well as traditional instruments like drums, bass and guitars. In recent years, electronic music production software has allowed hip hop producers to create more complex, layered beats without the need for a band.

The Music Producers of Hip Hop Music

The music producer is the heart of hip hop music. Often times, they are the ones who come up with the beats and melodies that rappers flow over. Music producers also sample old tracks and create new sounds that become signature to a particular artist or group. While some music producers stick to one musical genre, others may experiment with different styles of music.

The Rappers of Hip Hop Music

The rappers are the MCs (masters of ceremonies) who speak or chant over prerecorded backing tracks. MCs often adopt alter egos and refer to themselves in the third person. They may adopt names such as Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Busta Rhymes, and Snoop Doggy Dogg.

The DJs of Hip Hop Music

DJing is one of the most important aspects of Hip Hop music. DJs are the ones who create the beats that the rappers flow over. They are the ones who select the tracks that are played in between songs. And, they are often the MCs of Hip Hop music, hyping up the crowd and keeping the energy high. without a good DJ, a Hip Hop show can be lackluster.

The Graffiti Artists of Hip Hop Music

Hip hop music is often associated with graffiti art. This is because many of the early pioneers of hip hop culture were graffiti artists. These artists would use spray paint to create colorful and often political works of art on the streets of New York City.

One of the most famous graffiti artists of all time is Jean-Michel Basquiat. Basquiat was born in Brooklyn in 1960 and rose to fame in the late 1970s as part of the “graffiti” scene in New York City. His work often incorporated text and images from popular culture, and he quickly gained a following among fellow artists and collectors.

While Basquiat is perhaps the best-known graffiti artist, there are many others who have made their mark on hip hop culture. Some of these artists include Fab 5 Freddy, Rammellzee, Kool Koor, and Dondi White.

The Breakdancers of Hip Hop Music

Hip hop music is breakdancing. Breakdancing is a type of dancing in which the dancers glide across the floor on their backs, sides, and stomachs, often using their hands to propel themselves. The style of breakdancing is very distinct from other types of dancing, and it requires a great deal of athleticism and coordination.

While breakdancing is usually associated with hip hop music, it can also be performed to other genres of music. For example, there are many videos of people breakdancing to classical music.

The Fashion of Hip Hop Music

Hip hop music has its own unique style, which is often reflected in the fashion of its performers. While the exact items of clothing may vary depending on the artist, there are some general trends that are commonly seen in hip hop fashion.

One of the most iconic items of hip hop clothing is the hoodie. Hoodies are often worn with the hood up, and they may be decorated with designs or logos. Hoodies can be worn alone or over other items of clothing, such as t-shirts.

Another common item of hip hop clothing is the tracksuit. Tracksuits are usually made from bright, synthetic fabrics, and they often have stripes or other patterns running down the sides. Tracksuits often come with a matching jacket and pants, though they may also be worn as separates.

Hats are also a popular item of hip hop clothing. Snapback hats are particularly common, and they are often decorated with logos or graphics. Other popular styles of hat include baseball caps and beanies.