What Kind of Music is Hip Hop?

A comprehensive guide to understanding the different genres and sub-genres of hip hop music.

Origins of Hip Hop

Hip hop is a music genre that originated in the African-American community in the 1970s. It is a style of music that is characterized by a strong rhythmic element, as well as elements of rap, R&B, and funk. Hip hop has grown to become one of the most popular genres of music in the world, with artists such as Jay-Z, Eminem, and Tupac Shakur becoming household names.

1970s New York City

Hip hop music first emerged in the early 1970s in New York City, when DJs began playing R&B and soul records on portable turntables. They would often add their own commentary or rhymed speech over the music to help keep the crowd entertained. This style of music quickly spread throughout the inner city neighborhoods of New York, and eventually gave birth to the four elements of hip hop: MCing, DJing, break dancing, and graffiti art.

DJ Kool Herc

DJ Kool Herc is a Jamaican-American DJ who is credited as being one of the pioneers of hip hop music. He was born Clive Campbell in 1955 in Kingston, Jamaica, and he moved to the Bronx, New York City in 1967. While attending high school in the Bronx, he began throwing parties in the recreation room of his building, which became very popular. At these parties, he would play records and experiment with new ways of mixing them together to create new rhythms and sounds.

He is most famous for developing the “breakbeat” technique, which involves playing a record’s percussion break for an extended period of time so that dancers can show off their moves. This technique was later adopted by other DJs and producers and became a staple of hip hop music. In 1973, he organized a block party in the Bronx that is considered to be one of the first hip hop events ever.

DJ Kool Herc continued to DJ and produce music throughout his career, and he remains an important figure in hip hop history. He was inducted into the Hip Hop Hall of Fame in 2007.

Characteristics of Hip Hop

Hip hop is a musical genre that originated in the United States in the 1970s. It is characterized by a strong rhythmic element, often with a strong backbeat, as well as by the use of rap.

MCing

In hip hop music, the MC is the performer who rap, or “toast”, over the prerecorded rhythm track, or beat. The MC speaks between the DJ’s beats, often adding rhyming or chanted hooks. Stylistically, MCs use a variety of techniques to boost their voices including: speaking in alliteration, rhyme and wordplay; rhythmic techniques such as doubling and enjambement; vocal percussion and repetition for emphasis. In Hip Hop Technobeatboxing is also a common technique.

An MC uses various strategies to gain status with their audience. They may boast about their own skills in rapping or breakdancing (EDB). They may adopt a particular style of dress or mode of transportation associated with their DXC identity. Finally, they may take on an alias which reflects some facet of their personality.

DJing

DJing is a key component of hip hop music. DJs use turntables and mixers to create unique sound collages from existing songs. This can be done live or in the studio. scratching, a technique developed by hip hop DJs, involves moving a record back and forth on a turntable to create a percussive effect.

Graffiti

One characteristic of hip hop is graffiti. This is a type of visual art that is often spray-painted on walls or other surfaces in public places. It can be used to make a political statement, to express something about the artist’s identity, or simply to brighten up a space.

Breakdancing

Breakdancing, especially involving headspins and windmills, was popularized by street dancers in the 1970s. This style of dance became one of the most iconic elements of hip hop culture. While it is sometimes called “breaking” or “b-boying/b-girling,” “breakdance” is the most commonly used name for this style of dance.

Evolution of Hip Hop

Hip hop music first emerged on the streets of New York City in the early 1970s. It was a form of expression for young, black and Latino Americans who were looking for a way to express themselves. Hip hop music has been through a lot of changes over the years, and it is now one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

1980s

In the 1980s, Hip Hop evolved from a party music to a more personal form of expression. The first half of the decade was dominated by Electro Funk and break dancing. Rap music also began to develop in this time period.

1990s

The 1990s was a golden age for hip hop. Some of the most iconic and influential artists in the genre emerged during this time, including Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre. This was also the era when hip hop began to expand beyond its traditional roots in African-American culture, with artists like Eminem and the Beastie Boys introducing the genre to a new audience of white listeners.

The 1990s saw the birth of some of hip hop’s most popular sub-genres, including gangsta rap and G-funk. Gangsta rap is defined by its aggressive, often violent lyrics, while G-funk is characterized by its laid-back vibe and heavy use of funk samples.

2000s

In the new millennium, Hip Hop went through another metamorphosis. Rappers were no longer content to just rap over sampled beats, they wanted to create their own. Producers like Kanye West and Just Blaze began making beats from scratch using musical instruments, and the sound of Hip Hop changed forever. Rappers also started to experiment with new flows and rhyme schemes, making their songs more lyrically complex. This decade also saw the rise of Hip Hop subgenres like crunk, trap, and snap music.

Commercialization of Hip Hop

There is no single answer to the question of what kind of music is hip hop. The term “hip hop” can refer to a variety of different genres of music, from trap to R&B to rap. However, what all these genres have in common is that they are all music created by black and brown people for black and brown people.

Hip Hop as a global phenomenon

Hip hop is a global phenomenon with fans all over the world. In recent years, it has become increasingly commercialized, with many artists signing deals with major record labels and corporations. However, there is still a strong underground scene of independent artists who continue to make great music without the support of the mainstream industry.