History of Hip Hop and Rap

The terms hip hop music and rap are well connected together.

Hip hop is a term used to describe the culture and music as a whole, whereas

Rap refers as music with a vocal line.

Documentary Video here

Brief History:

Hip hop culture commenced in the late 1970s in New York. Its origins extend back to Jamaica.

There are 2 major musical elements associated with Hip Hop:

1) Rapping ( MCing)

2) DJing

- Associated elements- Beatboxing/ Break Dancing and Tagging (Graffiti).

Most Hip Hop acts consist of one or more rappers who chant semi-autobiographical tales in a swift, rhythmic, poetic style that use techniques such as assonance, alliteration and rhyme.

They are accompanied by an instrumental track called the “beat” because of its emphasis on rhythm. The beat usually comes from a sample of another song- often soul, funk or rock- and songs often use other synthesised or sample sounds. Sometimes rappers just perform to the beat to show off the DJ or producer.

Hip hop developed when DJs at house parties began isolating the percussion breaks from established songs. The MC’s job was to introduce the DJ and music, keep the crowd excited. They did by using complex rhyming ways known as rapping and in 1979 raps began to get recorded.

Therefore, distinction was made- DJ’s role - to create music, the beats.

The MC’s role- to rap the lyrics.

One of the earliest pioneers of this skill was DJKool. Others include Africa Bambattaa, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

However it was not until mainstream white artist such as Blondie began incorporating elements of rap that it became widely accepted.

There was a diversity of styles by the 1980’s as it moved into the mainstream popular music.

Bands that incorperated rap influences-

1) ‘Walk this way’ - Aerosmith

2) ‘Ice Ice Baby’- Vanilla Ice

Late 1980’s, West coast of USA was the start of a new form called- Gangsta rap.

It had controversial lyrics promoting violence, promiscuity and drugs.

Questions:

1. Where did Hip hop/Rap music originate from?__________________________

2. What is the different between Hip hop and Rap?

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3. What are the 2 major musical elements of Hip Hop Music?

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4. What are some techniques rappers use to make their lyrics flow well with the beats?

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5. What is the role of the DJ?

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6. When did raps officially get recorded? _______________________________________

7. List 2 main MCs that were the pioneers of Rap?________________________________

8. What kind of messages did Gangsta rap promote?

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9. List 5 famous rappers of today.

a)____________________

b)____________________

c)____________________

d)____________________

e)____________________

10. What do you think the rappers you have mentioned above rap about?

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