Hip-Hop

History of Rock

The New Voice of African Americans Despite 20-30 years passing since the 60s civil

rights movement, African Americans still experienced tough times in all aspects of society

1980 three times as many blacks lived below the poverty line than whites

1987 over 34% African American teens were unemployed compared to 17% of white teens

Families were broken apart with largely absent fathers Gangs provided a sense of support and family to many

young black men Hip-Hop became the distinct sound the late 80s and

90s African Americans’ frustration

Old School Rap Rap provided a voice for the inner city

dwellers desperate about the poverty, drugs and gang violence Originates in NYC in the 70s Bronx and Harlem DJs played portions

(samples) of dance songs These artists were against disco like other

segments of popular music Rap pioneers preferred funk rhythms over

disco They helped revive a dying soul and funk market

Kool Herc

Clive Campbell – The Bronx-New York based early rap/hip-hop DJ

He removed most of the vocals from the tracks and created dub versions Added echo and reverb to altered rhythm tracks

He is often credited with inventing hip-hop He was mixing music primarily for dancers He would call out to the dancers in a rhymed,

syncopated manner which influenced rappers

Pioneers of Hip-Hop & Rap Afrika Bambaataa Grandmaster Flash and the

Furious Five Both began to have friends

emcee (or rap) for them Closely connected to this were

the dancers B-boys and fly girls They incorporated street elements

to the language, fashion and dance

Pioneers of Hip-Hop & Rap Theodore Livingston

Grand Wizard Theodore Teen scratch artist from the

Bronx He is credited with inventing

scratching in the late 70s Moving a vinyl record back and

forth on a turn table and creating unique rhythmic patterns

The Sugarhill Gang

Sylvia Robinson – former R&B artist Heard her children listening to rap tapes Started Sugarhill Records with her

husband They recorded the Sugarhill Gang’s

“Rapper’s Delight” in 1979, which is the first rap song to hit the top 40 in the US

Sugarhill records quickly signed Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five They created more social awareness with their

music “Freedom” & “White Lines”

Second Wave

Run-D.M.C created more mass appeal by combining rap with heavy metal

Formed in 1982 They incorporated heavy-metal guitar on

their song “King of Rock” This created a white teen audience

1986 they covered Aerosmith’s “Walk this Way” solidifying their broad audience They influenced white rappers The Beastie Boys

Their album Licensed To Ill featured raps over Led Zeppelin and AC/DC riffs

Gangsta Rap

Other rappers were addressing the poor conditions of urban life, describing the violence of the inner cities

Many described shocking elements of gang warfare N.W.A. blatantly attacked corruption and instilled fear

with their album Straight Outta Compton (1988) which included the track “F**k Tha Police” a reaction to LA police chief Darryl Gates’ booking 1500

African American’s for “looking suspicious” Other artists:

Tupac Shakur Ice Cube Ice-T

Public Enemy Public Enemy reinvigorated the swagger of 1960s

soul music and provided a message of African American pride

“Our goal in life is to get ourselves out of this mess and be responsible to our sons and daughters to they can lead a better life” – Chuck D (a.k.a. Carlton Ridenhour) founding member of the group

They contributed the song “Fight the Power” to Spike Lee’s 1989 film Do the Right Thing which captured life in the inner cities

So…Where is music today?

What you need for the final Study guide – Blackboard – Unit 3 Term/genre chart – Blackboard Song list - Blackboard Scantron and number 2 pencil Your brain and full attention

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