The Birth of Hip-Hop: Part I “But you know, America is really on some race stuff. Its unfortunate that we don’t deal with it and that’s why it doesn’t go away.” -Queen Latifa
Hip-Hop Origins Rap: –one part (along with break-dancing and graffiti art) of a cultural form known as hip-hop –Emerged in South Bronx in late 70s –Roots –Characteristics Controversial
Hip-Hop Origins Hip-Hop: –Cultural form of expression consisting of rap music, graffiti art and break-dancing from NY during late 70s American mainstream Omnipresent The Hip Hop Generation
“Because of rap, the voices, images, style attitude and language of young blacks have become central in American culture, transcending geographical, social and economic boundaries.”
The Bronx – Hearth of Rap Economic Conditions in America? NY? Devastating financial issues Cross Bronx Expressway Results????
Your Task – The Old School Using the packet given to you this morning, with a partner (or solo) read through the lyrics of each song. Try to answer the following questions on your own paper the best you can: 1.What are the central themes in the song? 2.Examining the artists era in hip hop culture, what political, social or cultural events and circumstances could have contributed to the lyrics? 3.Does the song help contribute to a more complete understanding of the artist’s poetic range and development?
The Beginnings Crews / Posses –An informal inner city neighborhood group formed as a means of providing identity and support for its members
Techniques and Cultural Influences Break –The most danceable, instrumental sections of records Toasting –From Jamaica Scratching / Back-spinning MCs (spelled out now as EmCees)
The First Record Label Sugar Hill Records –“Rapper’s Delight” by Sugar Hill Gang 1979 –Sold over 1 million copies –Alerts MCs and DJs to potential commercialism of rap
Old School Rap Afrika Bambaataa – Planet RockKurtis Blow – The Breaks
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The Message
Run DMC & Aerosmith
The Birth of Hip-Hop: Part 2 “The America that we are making for others is ultimately the America we will make for ourselves. It will not be on the other side of town. It will be right outside our front door.” - Mikal Gilmore
Your Task – The Golden Age Using the packet given to you this morning, with a partner (or solo) read through the lyrics of each song. Try to answer the following questions on your own paper the best you can: 1.What are the central themes in the song? 2.Examining the artists era in hip hop culture, what political, social or cultural events and circumstances could have contributed to the lyrics? 3.Does the song help contribute to a more complete understanding of the artist’s poetic range and development?
East Coast Rap (aka Old School) Beastie Boys – Sure Shot
East Coast Rap (aka Old School) Eric B. & Rakim – Paid in Full
East Coast Rap (aka Old School) Run DMC – Proud to Be Black
East Coast Rap (aka Old School) Salt-n-Pepa – Let’s Talk About Sex
East Coast Rap (aka Old School) Tribe Called Quest – Award Tour
Other East Coast Hits LL Cool JQueen Latifa
East Coast Rappers Cause Controversy
Public Enemy
West Coast Rap (aka Gangsta Rap) California growing as center for rap development –MC Hammer Please Hammer Don’t Hurt Em (1990) Gangsta Rappers making names –Live in ghettos of California –1 st person accounts, not 3 rd person –Ice T 1986 “6 ‘n the Mornin’”
West Coast Rap (aka Gangsta Rap) NWA – Express Yourself
West Coast Rap (aka Gangsta Rap) Death Row Records –Suge Knight & Dr. Dre The Chronic 1993 –Snoop Doggy Dog Doggystyle 1994
East Coast vs. West Coast
The Birth of Hip-Hop: Part 3
Your Task – Rap Goes Mainstream Using the packet given to you this morning, with a partner (or solo) read through the lyrics of each song. Try to answer the following questions on your own paper the best you can: 1.What are the central themes in the song? 2.Examining the artists era in hip hop culture, what political, social or cultural events and circumstances could have contributed to the lyrics? 3.Does the song help contribute to a more complete understanding of the artist’s poetic range and development?
Busta Rymes – Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See
Jay-Z – Hard Knocked Life
Common – I Used to Love H.E.R.
2Pac – Brenda’s Gotta Baby
Wu Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.