Old School Hip Hop
The Life of Hip-Hop was born in South Bronx, NY in the late 1970s. When we take a look around the world during that time, it will make a little more sense as to why. Leading up to the birth of Hip-Hop the South Bronx was in chaos and bankrupt. This truly laid the foundation for a new sound and culture to be born.
Hip-Hop was created because inner city kids could not get into Disco, which was the primary music choice at that time. As a result of this, they decided to throw their own parties with their own music. Grandmaster caz stated that “hip Hop was our rebellion against Disco and our recreation of it at the same time”. The father of Hip-Hop goes by the name of DJ Kool Herc. When he first started Deejaying he was 18 years old. The sounds behind Hip-Hop came from nothing. Those like Dj Kool Herc who were just starting out with Hip-Hop had to use everyday items to make the sounds to create the music.
There are four elements of Hip Hop which are Deejaying, Mcing or Rap, Graffiti and breakdancing. The graffiti and break dancing is what caught others attention that lead to hip hop becoming so prominent. Ultimately, the Dj is the backbone of hip-hop. Mc’s would come up with specific sayings that they would say periodically throughout the night. Which lead to coming up with short rhymes which essentially lead to raping entire songs.
Old school hip hop music focused mainly on percussions. This idea laid the foundation for hip hop music going forward. In popular rap songs today, there is a large emphasis on the rhythm, beat and lyrics of the song while ignoring other musical instruments.
MTV played a huge role into Hip-Hop becoming Global. They made it Hip-Hop another genre of music by promoting and playing Hip-Hop music. Hip-Hop in now international. Those who do not even speak English know the full lyrics to some rap songs.There are so many great Hip-Hop artists that came out of New York Slick Rick, Salt N Peppa, Lil’ Kim, Doug E. Fresh, Big Pun, Mase, Mobb Deep, Busta. Rhymes, Mos Def, LL Cool J, Jay Z and so many more.
Overall, Hip-Hop was something so personal for the black community. It was something that was birthed and groomed by those who come from the same places that we do. The things that are talked about in these songs were relatable for the average black family.
