Hip-Hop

Hip-hop music is a genre that boiled over into a particular movement and culture. Founded in the South Bronx, this genre consists of stylized rhythmic music that accompanies rapping.  Kool Herc and legendary DJ Africa Bambaataa are known as the founders of hip-hop. Hip-hop culture became internationally recognized in the ‘70s. Its main components are rap (MC’ing), break-dance, graffiti, beat boxing, street types sports and turntables. This genre was the primal form of rap. Hip-hop started to get recorded for radio and television when block parties became increasingly popular. New school hip hop was the second wave which added a gangsta rap subgenre. It highlighted the violent lifestyles and improvised conditions of inner-city black youth. N.W.A., Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac were worn for their music. Although this genre continues to evolve, it used to be a form of activism because hip-hop added political and social commentary. However, the songs are very misogynistic often times dehumanizing black women. Old school hip-hop was lyrical, poetic and rhythmic. Hip-hop also birthed another subgenre, Trap which is now extremely popular.