Hip-hop

Hip-hop is a type of music that began in the early 1970s in New York City. It started at block parties, especially in places like the Bronx, where DJs would play long sections of songs called "breaks" to make people dance. These breaks became the foundation for rapping, a style of speaking rhythmically over the music.

Along with rapping, hip-hop includes other elements like DJing, turntablism, scratching, beatboxing, and using instrumental tracks. The music often reflects the lives and experiences of the people who create it, borrowing from and commenting on their surroundings.

In the 1980s, hip-hop grew and changed, with new styles appearing from different parts of the United States. This period, called the "golden age," brought popular styles like G-funk, boom bap, and gangsta rap, as well as more experimental types like alternative hip-hop and jazz rap. Over the years, hip-hop continued to evolve, with eras like the "bling era," the "blog era," and the rise of trap music. Today, hip-hop is one of the most popular music genres in the world.

Etymology

The word "hip-hop" has been used for a long time. In the 1600s, it meant a series of hops. By the 1800s, a common saying was "hippity hop". This phrase was often used in children's games and poems.

In the 1960s, musicians like The Dovells used "hip hop" in their songs. Later, in the 1970s, disc jockeys and performers in New York City began using the term to describe a new style of music and dance. Artists like The Sugarhill Gang helped make "hip-hop" well-known. Today, hip-hop refers to a whole culture that includes music, dance, art, and fashion. It started in places like the Bronx and has now spread around the world.

Historical background

Hip-hop started in the early 1970s in New York City, using turntables and vinyl records. DJs would remix songs to create new beats for dancing, much like jazz musicians had done before. Influences came from many places, especially disco and funk music.

The style of talking or rapping in hip-hop has ancient roots. It was inspired by African traditions and American artists like Muhammad Ali and The Last Poets. Jamaican music also played a big role, with DJs remixing songs to make fresh sounds. These early experiments helped shape what hip-hop would become.

1973–1979: Birth of hip-hop

The 1970s marked the beginning of hip-hop in the Bronx, a part of New York City. Changes in the area, like new roads and shifts in the community, brought together many different cultures. These influences helped shape the new music style. At the time, disco was popular, but young people in the Bronx wanted something different. They liked to dance during the instrumental parts of songs, called "breaks". Dancers, known as "B-girls" and "B-boys", would wait for these breaks to show off their moves.

Block parties became important places for hip-hop to grow. DJs would set up their sound systems and play music for people to dance to. One famous early DJ, Kool Herc, started extending these breaks by playing the same part of a song over and over. This created long moments for dancing and led to new DJ techniques like scratching. These parties gave young people a safe way to express themselves and stay out of trouble.

Hip-hop also included rapping, where MCs would talk or sing over the music. Early rap was influenced by styles from Jamaica, and both men and women were part of this new art form. Groups and collaborations were common, and hip-hop quickly grew from small parties to something much larger.

1979–1983: End of old-school

Main article: Old-school hip-hop

The period from 1973 to 1983 is called "old-school hip-hop". During this time, hip-hop started to become more popular. In March 1979, Fatback Band released a song called "King Tim III (Personality Jock)", which is thought to be the first rap song sold in stores.

Later that year, Chic released "Good Times", a song that became very popular. Sylvia Robinson used the music from "Good Times" to create a new song with The Sugarhill Gang rapping over it. This song, called "Rapper's Delight", helped hip-hop become popular across the whole country. Other early rap songs included Joe Bataan's "Rap-O Clap-O" and Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rappin'". As technology improved, new tools like drum machines made it easier for artists to create hip-hop music. This led to many new styles and sounds in the genre.

1983–1986: Rise of the new-school

Main article: New-school hip-hop

The second wave of hip-hop began around 1983–1984 and became known as the new school. Artists like Run-DMC and LL Cool J were key figures, known for their confident and bold style. They used simpler drum sounds compared to the older style and created songs that were easier to play on the radio. Their albums became very popular and even appeared in commercials.

Run-DMC’s album Raising Hell was a big success and was the first in hip-hop to sell a million copies. That same year, the Beastie Boys reached the top of the charts with their album Licensed to Ill. New tools like samplers made it easier for artists to create new beats without needing turntables.

1986–1997: Golden age

Main article: Golden age hip-hop

The years from 1986 to the mid-1990s are known as hip-hop’s “golden age.” This time was full of new ideas and creativity, making hip-hop more diverse and influential. Many artists used their music to explore deep themes like culture and politics. The music was very experimental, often mixing in jazz and using clever samples from many different songs.

Famous artists from this period include Public Enemy, KRS-One, Boogie Down Productions, Eric B. & Rakim, Brand Nubian, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr, Big Daddy Kane, Digable Planets, and the Jungle Brothers. Albums became very important, with landmark releases like Boogie Down Productions’ Criminal Minded, Public Enemy’s Yo! Bum Rush the Show, and Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid in Full setting new standards for the genre.

Hip-hop also began to spread beyond New York, with new scenes growing in the South and Midwest. Cities like Atlanta, Memphis, and New Orleans became important centers for the music. Artists from these areas brought their own styles and helped shape the future of hip-hop.

1997–2007: Bling era

Hip-hop became very popular and started appearing on charts a lot during the late 1990s. Artists like Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs were very successful, remaking old songs into new hip-hop hits. They and their artists, like Mase, were known for wearing shiny suits, which gave the era its nickname, the "bling era".

New music producers like Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, and the Neptunes created new sounds. Hip-hop songs often featured singers, with rappers and singers working together on tracks. Big names like Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Jay-Z became very famous during this time.

Main articles: Crunk and Snap music

In New Orleans, labels like No Limit Records and Cash Money Records grew very successful. Artists such as Lil Wayne and B.G. helped popularize the term "bling". A type of hip-hop called crunk became popular in the early 2000s, known for its energetic, party-focused songs. From Tennessee, it influenced a related style called snap music that also became very popular.

Main articles: Alternative hip-hop, Glitch hop, and Wonky (music)

During this time, alternative hip-hop artists like the Roots, Mos Def, and Outkast gained attention. Kanye West’s first album stood out with its thoughtful lyrics. New styles like glitch hop, mixing hip-hop with electronic sounds, and wonky, featuring melodic and unstable sounds, also emerged.

2007–2014: Blog era

See also: Blog rap

The years from 2007 to 2014 saw big changes in how hip-hop music was shared and enjoyed. As social media grew, people bought fewer CDs and records. This drop in sales was felt across all music types, but hip-hop saw an even bigger fall. In 2006, for the first time in five years, none of the top ten albums were hip-hop.

Even with fewer people buying albums, hip-hop stayed very popular. Artists like Rick Ross, Black Eyed Peas, and Fabolous all had albums that reached number one on the Billboard 200 charts in 2009. Eminem’s album Relapse was one of the fastest-selling albums that year.

The Internet also changed how new artists got discovered. Artists such as Soulja Boy began sharing their music on sites like YouTube and MySpace. This made it easier for fans to find and enjoy new music directly from the internet. Emerging artists like Kid Cudi, Wale, Odd Future, Mac Miller, Lil B, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole brought fresh ideas and emotions to hip-hop.

Main articles: Alternative hip-hop and Internet rap

When Kanye West released his album Graduation in 2007, it sold very quickly. His next album, 808s & Heartbreak, was even more unique and helped push hip-hop toward more creative sounds. Artists around the world also made their mark, with rappers like K'naan from Somalia and Canada, Japanese rapper Shing02, and British artist M.I.A. gaining attention for their music.

2014–present: Streaming era

Main articles: Trap music, Mumble rap, Emo rap, and Internet rap

During the 2010s, Atlanta hip-hop became very popular, especially a style called trap music. Trap music has a special sound with fast beats and strong drums. Many famous artists like Future, Migos, and Cardi B became known for this style. They often shared their music on SoundCloud.

In the late 2010s and into the 2020s, websites like Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and Instagram became very important for musicians to share their music. This helped hip-hop become the most popular type of music in the United States. Artists like Chance the Rapper and Roddy Ricch gained huge followings this way.

World hip-hop music

Hip-hop spread from the Bronx to become a global phenomenon, constantly reinvented in nearly every country. Artists worldwide acknowledge their roots in the Black and Latino communities of New York City who started the movement.

In many Latin American countries, hip-hop serves as a voice for marginalized groups. Cuban hip-hop grew during a tough economic time called the Special Period. Brazilian hip-hop often reflects the challenges faced by Afro-Brazilians living in favelas. Puerto Rican reggaeton blends influences from Jamaican Dancehall and hip-hop. Haitian hip-hop began in the 1980s and includes a style called "Rap Kreyòl." French hip-hop also emerged in the 1980s, with the Blockfest in Tampere, Finland being the largest hip-hop event in the Nordic countries.

Nigerian hip-hop became popular in the 1980s and 2000s, incorporating local languages. In the 2010s and 2020s, artists like Naeto C, Reminisce, Olamide, and others continued to grow the genre. South African hip-hop overlaps with kwaito, focusing on African culture and social issues. It has produced many well-known artists. In the 2010s, hip-hop grew popular in Canada, especially in Toronto, leading to the development of the Toronto sound after Drake achieved success.