Music is the free creative expression of the soul. The harmony of perfectly timed instruments
is as close as we can get to divinity on this chaotic planet. Where there is human drama, there has been and always will be a song that echoes the emotions through the caverns of space and time. The beauty of Hip-hop is that it challenges the status quo. While there are many artists who maintain a revolutionary tone, the capitalist side of Hip-hop is getting all of the attention. As
with most aspects of globalization, mainstream hip-hop gathers influences from all over the globe and refines the sounds and styles to create something marketable. This must be separated from true Hip hop culture, which cultivates the most intriguing harmonies and sounds into a new art form. One is done with the consumer in mind. The other is against the entire idea of
consumerism.
Fresh out of the 60's and 70's, a time when people began to question their existence, Hip-hop began to evolve. Afrika Bambaataa began to rock crowds with his dj skills and catchy messages, such as "peace unity love and havin fun". "Afrika Bambaataa, one of the movements
pioneers, experimented with the notion that hip hop could and should use its sway to inspire young people to be agents of social change"(149) The Universal Zulu Nation is an "international hip hop awareness" group formed and headed by hip hop godfather Afrika Bambaataa." (Wikipedia) "Originally known simply as "The Organization", it arose in the 1970s as reformed New York City gang members began to organize cultural events for youth, combining local dance and music movements into what would become known as the various "elements" of hip hop culture."(Wikipedia). Due to its exponential growth in popularity, "By the 1980s hip hop had spread globally, and the Zulu Nation has since established (autonomous) branches in Japan, France, the UK and Australia"(Wikipedia). As the crack epidemic seized the hearts of big city citizens in the 1980's, the drugs allure was reflected in hip-hop. Gangster rap was birthed by Schooly D in 1986, with his debut album P.S.K., which stood for Park Side Killers. The way that he incorporated drugs and 'realness' into his songs was revolutionary, and led the way for many rappers to come. Alternately, the Beastie Boys released their first album in the same year. Racial tension in the Los Angeles area exploded in the early 1990's after Don King verdict was revealed. Following the LA Riots, Dr. Dre released 'The Chronic', an album that gave those looking to rebel against the crooked system an anthem. "Hip-hops mostly symbolic moves against establishment authority illustrated how politics can often reach beyond familiar methods and venues." (149) On the east side of the nation, New York was equally entrenched in the evolution of hip-hop. Tupac Shakur, widely known for his representation of the west coast,
was actually born on the east coast and made frequent visits there. During one recording session, he was shot five times and then sentenced to eight months in jail, according to TupacHQ.com.
However, while hip hop music was born in New York, it "is a part of and speaks to a long line of black American and African diasporic cultural traditions. "Blog.oup.com" The art of storytelling
has been cultivated throughout history, and as homogenous groups were displaced from their homes, stories became the link between those groups and their native culture. "Many observers also make a connection between rap and West African griot tradition, the art of wandering storytellers known for their knowledge of local settings and superior vocal skills."Blog.oup.com"
Hip hop and rap have many important influences—R&B, funk, soul, jazz, rock and roll performers; poets, and writers like Iceberg Slim; and stylistic predecessors like Muhammad Ali and Richard Pryor. Impressive wordplay is the centerpiece of hip hop. There is an entire
movement devoted to freestyling, which involves rhyming phrases connected to a story to a beat in the artists head. Slant rhymes, a rhyme in which either the vowels or the consonants of stressed syllables are identical(dictionary.com), are commonly used to streamline the 'flow'. Slant rhymes were heavily influenced by Yeats in England, and Emily Dickenson in the U.S.(flocabulary.com) The way in which the ideas are expressed are nearly as important as the words themselves. Music videos and digital programming have given artists an astounding array of options when it comes to the expression of certain lyrics. Craig Watkins writes about the most influential person in the music video industry and his dilemma with producing Missy Elliot's
music. "As he thought about the best way to capture her dazzling sense of style and music visually, Hype derived inspiration from, of all things, French filmmakers". (213)
In the world of Hip-hop, there is a conflict. Capitalism is determining which artists are in the limelight, and which will remain lurking in the shadows. At a time in history when an
intelligent revolution is needed, Hip-hop can rejuvenate the masses. "Hip-hops evolution launched a revolution in youth culture. All the things that traditionally matter to young people-style, music, fashion, and a sense of generational purpose- have come under the spell of hip-hop." (148) Groundbreaking individuals such as Afrika Bambaataa understood the positive impact that hip-hop could have on society. Due to the crack epidemic and the advent of gangster rap, hip-hop took a dark turn, narrating the winding path through ghetto drama. There is no denying that hip-hop is an intoxicating art form, and when the creative expression of today's artists is backed by meaningful, progressive ideas and phrases then hip-hop will bring
harmony out of chaos. In the immortal words of KRS-One:"we are hip-hop, we preserve it, we protect it and we are the ones who are doing it, we are not criminals. In fact, we are scholars, we are philosophers, we are priests, we are ministers, we are activists."
with most aspects of globalization, mainstream hip-hop gathers influences from all over the globe and refines the sounds and styles to create something marketable. This must be separated from true Hip hop culture, which cultivates the most intriguing harmonies and sounds into a new art form. One is done with the consumer in mind. The other is against the entire idea of
consumerism.
Fresh out of the 60's and 70's, a time when people began to question their existence, Hip-hop began to evolve. Afrika Bambaataa began to rock crowds with his dj skills and catchy messages, such as "peace unity love and havin fun". "Afrika Bambaataa, one of the movements
pioneers, experimented with the notion that hip hop could and should use its sway to inspire young people to be agents of social change"(149) The Universal Zulu Nation is an "international hip hop awareness" group formed and headed by hip hop godfather Afrika Bambaataa." (Wikipedia) "Originally known simply as "The Organization", it arose in the 1970s as reformed New York City gang members began to organize cultural events for youth, combining local dance and music movements into what would become known as the various "elements" of hip hop culture."(Wikipedia). Due to its exponential growth in popularity, "By the 1980s hip hop had spread globally, and the Zulu Nation has since established (autonomous) branches in Japan, France, the UK and Australia"(Wikipedia). As the crack epidemic seized the hearts of big city citizens in the 1980's, the drugs allure was reflected in hip-hop. Gangster rap was birthed by Schooly D in 1986, with his debut album P.S.K., which stood for Park Side Killers. The way that he incorporated drugs and 'realness' into his songs was revolutionary, and led the way for many rappers to come. Alternately, the Beastie Boys released their first album in the same year. Racial tension in the Los Angeles area exploded in the early 1990's after Don King verdict was revealed. Following the LA Riots, Dr. Dre released 'The Chronic', an album that gave those looking to rebel against the crooked system an anthem. "Hip-hops mostly symbolic moves against establishment authority illustrated how politics can often reach beyond familiar methods and venues." (149) On the east side of the nation, New York was equally entrenched in the evolution of hip-hop. Tupac Shakur, widely known for his representation of the west coast,
was actually born on the east coast and made frequent visits there. During one recording session, he was shot five times and then sentenced to eight months in jail, according to TupacHQ.com.
However, while hip hop music was born in New York, it "is a part of and speaks to a long line of black American and African diasporic cultural traditions. "Blog.oup.com" The art of storytelling
has been cultivated throughout history, and as homogenous groups were displaced from their homes, stories became the link between those groups and their native culture. "Many observers also make a connection between rap and West African griot tradition, the art of wandering storytellers known for their knowledge of local settings and superior vocal skills."Blog.oup.com"
Hip hop and rap have many important influences—R&B, funk, soul, jazz, rock and roll performers; poets, and writers like Iceberg Slim; and stylistic predecessors like Muhammad Ali and Richard Pryor. Impressive wordplay is the centerpiece of hip hop. There is an entire
movement devoted to freestyling, which involves rhyming phrases connected to a story to a beat in the artists head. Slant rhymes, a rhyme in which either the vowels or the consonants of stressed syllables are identical(dictionary.com), are commonly used to streamline the 'flow'. Slant rhymes were heavily influenced by Yeats in England, and Emily Dickenson in the U.S.(flocabulary.com) The way in which the ideas are expressed are nearly as important as the words themselves. Music videos and digital programming have given artists an astounding array of options when it comes to the expression of certain lyrics. Craig Watkins writes about the most influential person in the music video industry and his dilemma with producing Missy Elliot's
music. "As he thought about the best way to capture her dazzling sense of style and music visually, Hype derived inspiration from, of all things, French filmmakers". (213)
In the world of Hip-hop, there is a conflict. Capitalism is determining which artists are in the limelight, and which will remain lurking in the shadows. At a time in history when an
intelligent revolution is needed, Hip-hop can rejuvenate the masses. "Hip-hops evolution launched a revolution in youth culture. All the things that traditionally matter to young people-style, music, fashion, and a sense of generational purpose- have come under the spell of hip-hop." (148) Groundbreaking individuals such as Afrika Bambaataa understood the positive impact that hip-hop could have on society. Due to the crack epidemic and the advent of gangster rap, hip-hop took a dark turn, narrating the winding path through ghetto drama. There is no denying that hip-hop is an intoxicating art form, and when the creative expression of today's artists is backed by meaningful, progressive ideas and phrases then hip-hop will bring
harmony out of chaos. In the immortal words of KRS-One:"we are hip-hop, we preserve it, we protect it and we are the ones who are doing it, we are not criminals. In fact, we are scholars, we are philosophers, we are priests, we are ministers, we are activists."
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