Hip Hop History And Reflections
Rap is something you do,
Hip hop is something you live
A historical reflection of Hip Hop
Name: Jake Parker
Student number: 100072668
Date: Friday, March 30, 2007
Professor: Mark Adam
Let's bring it back with that Ol' New York rap. Hip hop is amazing, straight up. It's not just the music, it's everything involved with the four elements of hip hop; the emceeing (rapping), the DJing, the graffiti, and the break dancing. When I was younger I used to search for "hip-hop" and "rap" albums never realizing the difference that I have come to know and appreciate so much. Rap is something you do and hip hop is something you live. Rapping is quite linear, with original styles mastering rhythm over a beat (Light, 1999). Hip hop is a culture, but it's also much more than that. It's a way of voicing opinions to the masses, whether the rappers promote violence or deter violence; it's all up to the listener. Hip hop is a way of life; how you walk, how you dress, how you act, how you swear. It is an attitude. The roots of hip hop come from frustration, environments that were uncivil for human dignity (the Ghettos). From this environment came this creativity and style that no one could hold back. I think it's prudent to point out that this essay only covers an introduction and reflection to the vast and garish culture of hip hop and that to delve into every artist's history and impact would be pleasing yet extensive in content. With that in mind, let's look at the history and fundamental aspects that comprised this exuberant culture.
The culture of hip hop primarily originated in New York City in the 1970s, particularly in the poverty stricken neighbourhoods of the Bronx (Light, 1999). These forgotten youth used hip hop as a medium to express their troubles, to express how they felt about being in the underclass that so many were.
An underclass in which young black people are...
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