What's Hip-Hop?

Hip hop music originated in the Bronx, New York City, in the late 1970s. It was born out of a vibrant urban culture that was shaped by African American and Latino communities. Hip hop music is a combination of spoken-word poetry, electronic beats, and various other musical elements that draw from a range of genres, including funk, soul, and jazz.

The first hip hop party is said to have taken place on August 11, 1973, when DJ Kool Herc hosted a back-to-school jam in the recreation room of his apartment building. Herc is credited with pioneering the breakbeat, a technique where he would isolate and loop the instrumental break in a song, creating a new beat that dancers could groove to. Other DJs and MCs soon emerged on the scene, adding their own contributions to the evolving sound of hip hop.

It has since spread beyond New York City and become a global cultural phenomenon, with its own unique style and subcultures.

Hip hop culture is made up of five main elements: MCing (rapping), DJing, breakdancing, graffiti art, and knowledge. These elements are the foundation of hip hop and provide a platform for expression and creativity within the culture.

At its core, hip hop is characterized by its use of rhyming lyrics, spoken word poetry, and rhythmic beats. Early hip hop music was often performed by MCs (Masters of Ceremony) and DJs (Disc Jockeys), who would collaborate to create a unique sound that combined elements of funk, soul, and disco.

East Coast Hip-Hop 

The East Coast hip hop scene emerged in the mid-1970s and is characterized by its boom-bap beats, lyrical storytelling, and socially conscious messages. The earliest East Coast hip hop artists, such as Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and Afrika Bambaataa, helped shape the sound and style of the genre.

In the 1980s and 1990s, East Coast hip hop exploded in popularity, with artists like Public Enemy, Run-DMC, and Nas becoming household names. The East Coast also played a vital role in the development of gangsta rap, with groups like Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep gaining prominence.

West Coast Hip-Hop

The West Coast hip hop scene emerged in the late 1980s and is known for its laid-back, funky beats and aggressive lyrics. Early West Coast hip hop artists, such as Ice-T and N.W.A., helped shape the sound and style of the genre, with N.W.A. popularizing the subgenre of gangsta rap. The West Coast scene reached new heights in the 1990s, with artists like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur becoming household names.

However, the scene was also marred by a deadly feud between East Coast and West Coast rappers, culminating in the deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. in the mid-1990s. Despite this tragedy, both East Coast and West Coast hip hop continue to thrive, with new artists and subgenres emerging regularly.

Gangsta Rap

As hip hop continued to evolve throughout the 1990s and 2000s, new subgenres emerged, each with its own unique sound and cultural significance. One of the most popular subgenres of hip hop is gangsta rap, which emerged in the late 1980s and is characterized by its aggressive lyrics and themes of violence, drug use, and street life. Gangsta rap artists like N.W.A., Tupac Shakur, and Notorious B.I.G. helped to popularize the genre, which has since become a major force in the music industry.

In addition to gangsta rap, hip hop has also given rise to a wide range of other subgenres, including alternative hip hop, conscious hip hop, and trap music.

Alternative Hip-Hop

Alternative hip hop is characterized by its use of unconventional song structures and lyrics that explore themes of social justice, political activism, and personal introspection. Artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, and Common helped to popularize alternative hip hop in the 1990s, and the genre has since become a major force in the music industry.

Conscious Hip-Hop

Conscious hip hop is another subgenre that emerged in the 1990s and is characterized by its focus on social and political issues. Artists like KRS-One, Public Enemy, and Immortal Technique helped to popularize conscious hip hop, which has since become an important voice in the fight for social justice and political change.

Trap Music

In the 21st century, hip hop has continued to evolve and adapt to changing musical trends, giving rise to new subgenres and fusion styles. One of the most popular subgenres of the 21st century is trap music, which emerged in the early 2010s and is characterized by its use of heavy basslines, 808 drum machines, and lyrics that explore themes of drug use, party culture, and street life. Trap music artists like Future, Migos, and Lil Uzi Vert helped to popularize the genre, which has since become a major force in the music industry.

Independent/Underground Hiphop

Independent hip hop, or indie hip hop, is a sub-genre of hip hop music that is characterized by its focus on independent music production and distribution, often without the backing of a major record label. Independent hip hop artists typically reject the commercialization and mainstream appeal of the genre, and instead focus on creating music that is unique, personal, and reflective of their own experiences and perspectives.

Independent hip hop often features unconventional beats and samples, as well as complex rhymes and wordplay. Lyrically, independent hip hop often addresses a wide range of social issues, such as poverty, racism, and social justice. Independent hip hop artists also often collaborate with other independent artists, producers, and musicians, fostering a sense of community and creative exchange within the genre. Some of the most famous independent hip hop artists include MF DOOM, Tyler, The Creator, and Chance The Rapper.

Independent hip hop has become an important and influential part of the larger hip hop scene, with many independent artists achieving significant commercial and critical success. The rise of digital music distribution and social media has also made it easier for independent hip hop artists to reach new audiences and gain recognition without the backing of a major record label. Today, independent hip hop continues to evolve and innovate, with new artists emerging from all corners of the world and pushing the boundaries of the genre.

The landmark eras of Hiphop:

Old School Hip-Hop (late 1970s to mid-1980s):

This era saw the birth of hip-hop music, with the likes of Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, and Kool Herc laying the foundation for the genre. The music was characterized by its breakbeats and sampling, and the lyrics often focused on social and political issues.

Golden Age Hip-Hop (mid-1980s to early 1990s):

This era is often considered the "golden age" of hip-hop, with artists like Run-DMC, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, and the Beastie Boys achieving mainstream success. The music was characterized by its use of samples, complex rhyming patterns, and socially conscious lyrics.

Gangsta Rap (late 1980s to mid-1990s):

This era saw the emergence of gangsta rap, with artists like N.W.A., Ice-T, and Snoop Dogg taking the genre in a more aggressive direction. The music was characterized by its explicit lyrics, violent imagery, and emphasis on street life.

Alternative Hip-Hop (early 1990s to mid-2000s):

This era saw the rise of alternative hip-hop, with artists like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Outkast incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and soul into their music. The lyrics were often more introspective and focused on personal experiences.

East Coast vs. West Coast (mid-1990s):

This era was characterized by a rivalry between East Coast and West Coast hip-hop artists, culminating in the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. The music was characterized by its gritty production and aggressive lyrics.

Crunk (early 2000s):

This era saw the emergence of crunk, a subgenre of hip-hop that originated in the southern United States. Artists like Lil Jon, Ying Yang Twins, and Three 6 Mafia popularized the genre, which was characterized by its heavy bass, chanting choruses, and party-focused lyrics.

Trap (mid-2000s to present): 

This era saw the rise of trap music, a subgenre of hip-hop that originated in the southern United States. Artists like T.I., Gucci Mane, and Young Jeezy popularized the genre, which was characterized by its use of 808s, heavy bass, and trap drums. The lyrics often focus on themes of drug use, materialism, and street life.

Overall, hip hop music has undergone a remarkable evolution since its inception in the 1970s. From its early days as a fusion of various genres to its current status as a diverse and multifaceted genre with many subgenres and fusion styles, hip hop music has always been a cultural force that has captured the imaginations of millions of people around the world. While the genre continues to evolve and adapt to changing musical trends, its enduring popularity and influence are a testament to its power and importance in the history of modern music.