Everything about Hip Hop

By Tomas McLoughlin

Origins of Hip-Hop • -Originated as a mixture of disco, funk and rhythm and blues.

• -It is widely believed that Hip-Hop was 'born' in the Bronx, New York during the 70s, with DJ Kool Herc as the 'father'

• -Other early artists included MC Hammer and Melle Mel (the first to call himself an ''MC'')

• -Early Hip-Hop consisted of collaboration groups. These included Grandmaster Flash, Sugarhill Gang, Funky Four Plus One

DJ Kool Herc, widely considered the ‘Father of Hip-hop’

Evolution of Hip-Hop • Hip hop has evolved hugely. What we listen to today is very different to what first came out.

• -Hip hop is often blamed for gang culture which developed in America during the early 90s

• -Hip-hop and gang culture have both affected one another over the years: Gang culture was copied from the original trend of collaboration groups such as Sugarhill Gang, and conversely Rappers write about the gang culture and crime.

(Above) Sugarhill Gang were appealing to wider audiences, whereas Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. were part of the gangster revolution in the early 90s and brought attitude to Hip-hop (below)

Artists’ Public Image

• Rappers are seen in different ways by different people, depending on your music taste.

• Hip-Hop artists are regarded as role models by some because the nearly all of them have risen to fame having come from a poor background. They have all had to work hard for their dreams.

• Kid Cudi is an example of a more modern and unique artists with a stylish aura.

• They have a big influence on young people especially – hand gestures, Tattoos, clothes, partying lifestyle

• Lots of artists always rap about smoking weed in their songs (e.g. Whiz Khalifa) hence why many young people are copying it because they see it as acceptable and cool

• Rappers aren’t seen as talented musicians compared to singers like Adele and Michael Jackson, because there are so many rappers who similar to one another and rap about the same things. Eminem is an exception as he is considered unique due to his meaningful lyrics.

Whiz Khalifah is considered a bad role model for youngsters because of his public obsession with

Eminem (above) and Kid Cudi (below) aren’t viewed so negatively

Ideologies• Most Hip-Hop videos tend to reflect their

culture in similar ways. • Eccentric jewellery, expensive cars and bikini-

clad girls are all regular themes and conventions from hip-hop videos. In my audience research video, these were all mentioned by those interviewed.

• Rappers are represented as quite arrogant. Artists are always boasting in their lyrics and videos about their excessive wealth, the women they get and what they spend their money on.

• Hanging around in gangs and doing criminal things such as smoking weed portray a rebellious image, which is often replicated in society. These are the common stereotypes of the modern hip-hop artist

• Hip-hop has been looked down upon in the past and some people don’t think rapping requires a lot of talent. Perhaps this is why the genre has responded in the boastful nature it has.

Rick Ross, typifying the stereotype of a modern hip-hop artist.