Hip-HopMy Genre

What is hip-hop musicHip-Hop is a music genre that developed from the hip-hop culture. It is defined by four key stylistic elements: rapping, DJing/scratching, sampling (or synthesis), and beatboxing. It was introduced in the early 1970’s in the South Bronx area of New York. Hip-Hop music is associated with a younger audience. The reason I like Hip-Hop music is because it allows dancers to perform with freedom of movement, adding in their own personalities.Image plays a big role in hip-hop for example the clothes you wear and the street credibility you have, graffiti can also be linked in with hip-hop music.

Rapping Rapping which is also known as Mcing, is a primary ingredient to the hip-hop culture. Rap music is one of the elements of hip hop; it is a form of rhyming lyrics spoken rhythmically over musical instruments, with a musical backdrop of sampling, scratching and mixing by DJs. Originally rapping was called MCing and was seen as supporting the DJ.In the mid-1980s, rap became increasingly politicised, through the works of Public Enemy and others, and tended to chronicle the black urban experience. Gangsta rap may be seen in this context of subversion, but is also seen by some as the abandonment of a constructive message.

DJ’ing (Disc Jockey)Anyone can call themselves a DJ by playing some records on a turn table but a hip-hop DJ is much more of a complex task. In 1986 King Tubby created dub style of music from experimenting from being a DJ. As time went by and technology developed DJ’ing became more sophisticated. A DJ will select and play music for their audience but this is not their only role. They will have to replay the most popular parts of songs, and add their own comments - anything from a couple of words to rhythmic poems, this can be a hard skill to master.

Graffiti Graffiti is writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illegally on a wall or other surface in a public place. Some people may allow special ‘graffiti artists’ to write or draw on their property to create a dynamic style. Graffiti was introduced in New York in the 60’s and 70’s. It was often used by political activists to send messages or make statements or by gangs marking territory. Since the 1990s, graffiti has become more widely accepted as a recognized art form worldwide with the success of British-born artist Banksy and French duo 123Klan. Hip-hop producers show graffiti in the background of their music videos. This adds style to and street credibility to their music.

Breakdancing This is a dynamic type of dance that is part of the hip-hop culture. This form of dancing is very acrobatic and creative. It was developed in New York City in the late 1970’s. It is mainly done in the middle of streets and rapidly attracts an audience. The era of break dancing was replaced in the Hip Hop culture by dance moves known as the electric boogiemoves. Most of these moves would call for dancers to snap and twitch muscles in time to the music. Some of the most popular moves of this style of dance were the Tick, the Mannequin or Robot, the King Tut, the Wave, the Pop, the Float, and the Moonwalk.

Fashion Fashion has always been an iconic part in the hip-hop industry. Hip-hop artists have created their own sense of fashion which to this day people are still practising. They tend to wear clothes that were functional for dancing such as loose fitting jeans or tracksuits. Baggy jeans, oversized jewellery, hats and sneakers are all iconic items of clothing that have been absorbed by mainstream fashion

Hip-Hop Artists

Notorious BIG

Tupac Shakur Busta Rhymes Snoop Dogg

Nicki Minaj Missy Elliott Jean Grae Alia Sharrief

Notorious BIG’s Interview

This is Notorious BIG’s interview from The Show.In this video we hear him talking about his life, how he lived each day and how he has been hustling, in the music industry.The video shows a very negative representation of hip-hop we hear BIG saying, ‘All I wanted to do was smoke weed’ ‘I just wanted to die and get it over with’.We also hear his mum talking and how she is sad that he was given this ‘Notorious’ title, she says it changed him and made him more of a bad person.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjt029chOvA

Images Associated With Hip-Hop