1. A brief lesson in the culture and history
Hip Hop
A brief lesson in the culture and history

2. What is Hip Hop?

3. Hip Hop is a culture that consists of three main artistic outlets:
Rap
Break dancing
Graffiti
Djing

4. Rap This is the element of sound.
It includes the beat created by the DJ
Disc Jockey
It also includes the words or poetry delivered by the MC
Microphone Conductor

5. Breakdancing
This is expression through movement of the body; a style of dance.
People who do this are called B-boys or B-girls
The “B” stands for “break” which either means someone is “going off”/ “getting crazy” or refers to a two bar silence for every eight bars when dancers improvised new moves

6. Graffiti This is the visual form of expression.
It is often, but not necessarily put up in public places.

7. When did rap begin?

8. It started in New York in the 1970’s with DJ Kool Herc
The early DJs at the parties began isolating the percussion breaks to hit songs — realizing that these were the most danceable and entertaining parts — and extending them, using an audio mixer and two records.

9. The 80’s
The commercialization of rap and hip hop began in the late 70’s, early 80’s.
Sugar Hill Gang’s Rappers Delight hit Billboard’s top 40.
By the mid 80’s rap was in major cities all over the world

10. Recognize the man on the right?
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince won rap’s first Grammy Award in 1987.
It’s Will Smith!

11. Gangsta Rap
The early 1990’s saw the emergence of gangsta rap which would later cause many problems.
This is a good point to talk about things like what a gang is and what the sticker on this album is for

12. The split to East and West
By the early 90’s the styles and record labels had split into two territories- East Coast and West Coast
The two became rivals competing for money and fame
At this point I sketch a quick map of the US and draw a line down the middle

13. West Coast
Tupac Shakur holds the Guiness record for most rap albums sold ever.
He was the leading and most respected artist on the West coast in the 90’s
Tupac gained respect for his messages of racial equality and the respect of women.
In September of 1996 he was shot and died seven days later.
He was believed to have had gang affiliations and accused East coast rapper Notorious B.I.G. of having him shot.

14. East Coast
A few months later Notorious B.I.G., East coast rap leader and also assumed gangster was shot in retaliation for Tupac’s death.
He is also considered to be one of the best rappers of all time

15. Tragedy
In the matter of months Hip hop lost two of its biggest rappers over money and gang related fueds
Following the incident, rappers from all over the country called for a stop to the East Coast / West Coast rivalry

16. Rap today
Despite tragic events, hip hop and rap are still alive and kicking today with big stars such as:

17. 50 cent

18. Eminem

19. Kanye West