Hip-hop was born in the summer of 1973 on the streets of the Bronx, known for its gang activities, poverty, unemployment, racial tension, and brutality within African American and Puerto Rican communities. DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cindy Campbell threw a party, noticing the popularity of James Brown’s songs with added rhythm. This marked the creation of the first stretches. In the same night, Coke La Rock, considered the first MC, used the microphone to share rhymes and create RAP. Both were responses to the prevailing disco genre of the 1970s and a reaction to socio-economic challenges as a form of self-expression and cultural resistance. Even though, the first RAP "Noah" recorded came from a 1940s gospel group The Jubalaires, who were influenced by jazz, blues and barbershop quartet.
It's worth mentioning that discussions about race and racism were considered taboo during this period in the US. The Black experience was stigmatized and suppressed in the media. Hip-hop emerged as a powerful voice from the streets, prefiguring Black Lives Matter, and began reporting experiences and critiquing issues affecting those marginalized in society. Simultaneously, the Zulu Nation gained relevance. It started as a reformed gang of Black Spades from South Bronx in the 1970s. They organized cultural events for youths, combining local dance and music, which later became the pillars of hip-hop culture: Emceeing, Deejaying, breaking dance, writing, and graffiti. Led by American rapper Afrika Bambaataa, Zulu Nation became an international hip-hop awareness group, though Bambaataa stepped down as its head in May 2016 following allegations of sexual abuse.
The genre transcended US borders, rapidly spreading globally and inspiring artists and fans worldwide, embracing it as a form of self-expression and cultural identity, and other subgenres of music. Over these five decades, the genre has evolved, divided into distinct eras.
The Old School era from 1979 to 1983 solidified hip-hop’s key elements—rapping, beatboxing, scratching, and sampling— and refined techniques as recording technology advanced. It represented many pioneers in the genre and was characterized by funk and disco influences, simple rapping techniques, and light, party-centric lyrics. Exceptions arose as artists drew inspiration from other musical styles like electronic and rock music by the mid-1980s.
The Golden Age, spanning from 1983 to 1997, featured artists creating shorter songs with minimalist and drum machine-led production. Rock samples and party rhymes transformed into rapped braggadocio, and socio-political commentary gained prominence. This era saw greater recognition through awards and commercial appeal via platforms like MTV, leading to a departure from previous influences, complex wordplay and everyday themes in the 1980s and 1990s. It also, opened the door for further experimentation during with more innovations and diversity in the sound.
The Conscious Wave, extending from 1983 to 2000, continued experimenting with sampling and production techniques. Artists used music to express views on various topics, offering an alternative to mainstream hip-hop’s materialistic or violent themes. Conscious rap aimed to foster the overall maturation of hip-hop's music and lyrics, encouraging listeners to think critically.
The East versus West era, spanning from 1991 to 1997, pitted New York's complex, reflective east coast hip-hop style against California's laid-back, psychedelic G-funk sound. Gangsta rap emerged from both sides, characterized by aggressive performances, politically charged lyrics, and controversial artists, dominating the mid-to-late 1990s.
The Rise of Southern Rap, from 1990 to 2005, brought regional styles to the fore, with Southern rap gaining national attention, originating from cities like Houston, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Memphis.
The Bling Era, covering 1997 to 2006, emphasized beats over lyrics, focusing on materialism and braggadocio. Sophisticated production with R&B-styled hooks marked commercial success. However, the rise of alternative distribution channels and online piracy led to a decline in album sales, ending hip-hop’s album era and ushering in digital downloads and streaming.
The Conscious Resurgence, from 2004 to the present, saw conscious hip-hop remerge as a response to the materialism of the Bling Era. Rappers sought to reconnect with emotional and personal experiences, resonating with audiences and leveraging the rise of internet platforms for music consumption and promotion.
The Blog Era, spanning 2006 to 2014, witnessed emerging artists using blogs and social media to promote releases, connect with audiences and removed barriers to entry the music industry. This era also marked a shift toward more melodic hip-hop.
The Alternative Revival, ongoing since 2006, pushed hip-hop's boundaries, embracing funk, pop, rock, jazz, and soul, blurring genre lines and fostering experimentation.
The Rise of Trap, spanning from 2014 to the present, originated in Atlanta, gaining global traction with its distinctive production style with synthesized drums, complex hi-hat patters and very few instruments to create its distinctive sound. It influenced a range of artists and emerging genres like K-Pop, contemporary R&B, reggaetón, and música urbana.
Additionally, it's important to mention the women who have shaped the genre, overcoming sexism to become some of music’s most influential voices, as the recent released Netflix documentary series indicate Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop. Notable names include Sha-Rock, the first woman MC ever recorded, and MC Lyte, the first to release a solo album in the genre. Queen Latifah also played a vital role, as a rappper, actor, producer and covergirl challenged old dynamics and paving the way for contemporary stars. As well as other intersectionality minority groups that contribute to the diversity of the hip-hop culture. Such as LGBT+ community that like women, they were there and endured discrimination with exceptions, who are supporters of them.
The genre goes beyond the United States borders; being embraced by many nations and amalgamated into their cultures. For example, in São Paulo. March 2024, a law was approved that recognizes hip-hop as intangible cultural heritage of the state of São Paulo. The city was the birthplace of the movement in Brazil. It played a crucial role in the development and spread of this movement over the decades. From the early days of breakdance parties in the 1980s to contemporary festivals and events, the city has been a vibrant epicentre of hip-hop culture in the country. More than just a musical style; it is a movement that encompasses dance, visual art, poetry, and social activism.
Beyond geographical limits, hip-hop's influence extends to fashion and style, giving rise to clothing brands appreciated today. Many of these trends were created by the designers in the community before the mainstream fashion took notice or wanted to be involved in the genre. Streetwear evolved into an unofficial sixth pillar, turning the musical genre into an entrepreneurial movement. From baggy styles favoured by break-dancers to vibrant colours designs inspired by graffiti, and song lyrics. Hip-hop's influence on fashion remains strong.
Fifty years later, hip-hop stands as the most popular genre in the US, boasting the largest share of total album consumption in 2022. It's important to acknowledge the controversy surrounding its portrayal of women, violence, and materialism. While it reinforces negative stereotypes regards communities of colours, it also serves as a powerful tool for raising awareness about socio-political issues and giving voice to marginalized groups.
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