A History Of Hip Hop By Courtney Owens
Rap Defined A rhymed form of storytelling and expression that articulates the black urban experience, and is accompanied by cutting edge electronically based music.
Links To African Culture Toasting Signifying Griots Rhythmic Layering of Music Repetition of Music
Historical Backdrop Economic Changes Urban Renewal Job Market Shifts Information Flow Disrupted Everything from music to advertising geared for suburbs
The Result Many people mostly Blacks and Latinos are relocated to overcrowded areas in the South Bronx NY Youth are cut off from aesthetic and economic resources South Bronx: Example of “American Woes"
Hip Hop Emerges In Response Rapping DJ’s/Scratching Break Dancing Graffiti
Started By Taki Uses themes, formats, and styles Work Crews Exposure
Physical manifestation of Hip Hop: Response to DJ’s beats Resembles African dances Crews competed for territory by dancing
Toasting and dub talks over Reggae. Party Shout outs. Call and Response. Emceeing. Battles for territory DJ battles Club gigs Tape Circulation
Rap Hits the Mainstream Block party battles attract attention “Rappers Delight” by the Sugar Hill Gang Unfair recording contracts 1 st Artists to Hit it Big Kurtis Blow Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five Afrika Bambaata w/ Soul Sonic Force
Female Rappers Heavily discriminated against in Breaking and Graffiti. Male/Female battles get lots of airplay. Have a unique style. Hurricane Gloria. Funky Four Plus One More. Roxanne Shante 1 st “queen of rap.” Sha Rock: beat box innovator.
Commercial Status Rises Themes Complexity Story Telling Run DMC KRS One Public Enemy LL Cool J
Rap Expands Gansta Rap. Economic Problems in Compton?Watts Districts. Stories about Black experience in LA. Snoop Dog. Dr. Dre. Ice Cube. South Central Cartel. Different Styles New Jersey: Naughty by Nature Bronx: Redman Detroit: Boss Atlanta: Outkast
Rap Is…. A response to political changes. Revolutionary. Redirected Frustration as a form of expression. Promotes Understanding Makes lots of Money Uses “Contemporary issues and ancestral forces