...Hip-hop is a music genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music. Stylized rhythmic music is music where the rhythm is altered to suit the genre. The culture of hip-hop evolved in the 1970’s and was a movement consisting of streetwise ingenuity. There are four elements of hip-hop; these include rapping, disc jockey (DJ), break dancing and graffiti writing/art. More specifically, rap can incorporate synthesizers (an electronic musical instrument), drum machines and live bands. Some subgenres of rap include alternative, gangsta, political, East Coast, West Coast, crunk and hyphy. The hip-hop movement originated in the 1970’s in South Bronx, New York. African American teenagers living in the South Bronx and Harlem could not afford admission...
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...Many people believe rap music encourages violence amongst women as well as gang violence. While research has found that a preference for rap music is associated with higher rates of drug and alcohol use, arrests, and sexual promiscuity, but these problems often begin before young people start listening to rap. Not all rap music has bad content within them. In Marseille, France, rap and hip hop are thriving musical forms, and many residents believe that the positive effects of this music are the reason why poor North African neighborhoods in the region didn't suffer the rioting seen in other areas of Paris, There's no factual proof of it making kids violent. Some rap songs display a good message about life. Many people speculate that rap music...
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...For the past for decades rap music has put under the spotlight for potential effects of violent media on youth social behavior. Firstly from a historical perspective rap music is grounded in the African and African American culture. Rap is basically oral language mainly set against a musical background and this dates back to early African societies who used the tradition to entertain and educate audiences in tribal history and current events (Powell, 1991). In American societies rap music can be found in early versions of Jazz and R&B music and has been a traditional form of contest among inner city African American dwellers (Dyson, 1993; Herd, 1994). Modern rap music originated in the 1970’s in the lower class neighborhoods of New York City...
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...using our eyesight. Another famous form of art, which involves our sense of hearing, is music. Music is vast that it has so many genres and subgenres. One genre, that is quite popular in today’s world, is hip-hop. Most people view hip hop as a movement, but i consider that its more than just a movement. Hip Hop is a median to express yourself. The shared ideology of Hip Hop is that it is a platform to portray art and beliefs through lyricism, abstract art, clothing, etc. Hip Hop is a subcultural movement, which was formed in the 1970s in South Bronx, New York. African Americans mainly started this movement, but now it is diversified. It has various components, such as “DJing”, rapping, graffiti art, and break dancing. Hip Hop gained a lot of popularity for its fashions. Its authorial power and influence highly impacts the fashion world. Many rap artists have successful cloth lines, which are quickly adopted by the followers. Language, in Hip Hop, plays a vital role. Slang terms gained its popularity after it was being used in raps. Some say that rap is the modern day poetry. Rapping also known as “MCing”, is basically a mixture of rhymes and beats to produce a meaning or even a message. Many rappers incorporate historic events or figures in their raps to compare things. Rap Artist Tupac Shakur used to read and write poetry at an early age, and it developed to show through his rap songs. During his last days, he was studying the philosopher, Machiavelli, and released...
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...Influence of Entertainment Media Paper Eric Wright, better known as AKA Easy E, was one of the N.W.A (niggers with attitude) members in hip hop "gangster rap", and was the co-founder of Ruthless Records. The first to represent thug life as gangsters do it, and telling of his life story of growing up in the streets of Los Angeles California. Hip Hop Music Turns Gangster Rap And Brings Violence. During mid 1980s into the early 1990s the music industry had a serious change in the culture of music. That not only had the type of music change, but rapping about the degrading of women, racially and sexually into the violence of war between gangster’s thugs and the LA PD. The Americans at the time when easy E started his performance as a rap artist, did not realize there was already a war in the streets of Los Angeles. His music was stereotyped as the cause of many killings when committed due to a drive by shootings. It was automatic assumingly made by local gangsters. Because of this new gangster rap music. N.W.A Ruthless Records Co-Founded By A LA Gangster Made A Change In The Music Industry. Eric Lynn Wright, AKA easy E was and still is "the godfather of gangster rap". Easy was a solo performer in the music industry. Music artists like easy e, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Snoop doggy Dogg, had changed the update of music in the American culture. Rappers of the streets of L.A, gang banging with lyrics of street life style as thugs, surrounding in violence, police brutality and...
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...bull that can’t be stopped, there’s not a disco that I Coke La Rock can’t rock”. (DJ Coke La Rock 1973) This line spoken by Coke La Rock was the birth of rap and hip-hop music. This one bar made Coke La Rock the very first rapper in Hip-Hop and birthed a new genre of music, we now know today as Rap music. John McWhorter, Opio Lumumba Sokoni, and Desi K. Robinson all have written about their different views and opinions on the good the bad and the ugly of rap music. They all offer different arguments on the effects of rap music. Rap music began as a way for black families to focus on bringing families together and uplifting each other’s spirits in times of heartache and pain. However, now since its humble beginnings so much has changed and developed but the spirit of its heart and soul stays the same. John McWhorter argues in his article, “Mean StreetsTheater,” (2003) on the negativity of rap music and the violence that it promotes. He argues that the violence of rap music is causing the rappers to be murdered. He goes on to say that not only are rappers being murdered but also they’re being murdered in front of their children, exposing their children to the violence. Today in our society many agree with his point of view and are causing some to doubt the cultural significance of rap. This article goes on to say that rap music is the biggest problem for the negative images of African Americans. He argues that rappers depict African American woman in negative barbaric ways. Also...
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...tupac Hip-hop music is generally considered to have been pioneered in New York's South Bronx in 1973 by Jamaican-born Kool DJ Herc. At a Halloween dance party thrown by his younger sister, Herc used an innovative turntable technique to stretch a song's drum break by playing the break portion of two identical records consecutively. The popularity of the extended break lent its name to "breakdancing"--a style specific to hip-hop culture, which was facilitated by extended drumbreaks played by DJs at New York dance parties. By the mid-1970s, New York's hip-hop scene was dominated by seminal turntablists DJ Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, and Herc. The rappers of Sugarhill Gang produced hip-hop's first commercially successful hit, "Rapper's Delight," in 1979'. The local popularity of the rhythmic music served by DJs at dance parties and clubs, combined with an increase in "b-boys"--breakdancers--and graffiti artists and the growing importance of MCs, created a distinctive culture known as hip-hop. For the most part, hip-hop culture was defined and embraced by young, urban, working-class African-Americans. Hip-hop music originated from a combination of traditionally African-American forms of music--including jazz, soul, gospel, and reggae. It was created by working-class African-Americans, who, like Herc, took advantage of available tools--vinyl records and turntables--to invent a new form of music that both expressed and shaped the culture of black New York City youth in the...
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...What does music mean to you? How important is music in your life? Is there a song that makes you emotional? These are the question that most of us often ask ourselves or other people. I wonder why music can leave such a strong impression and makes us cry, sad, happy, angry, etc. I learned that music is not some instrument that is only use to make beats but use as an expression to reflects one’s inner desire. Music is often used as a platform to discuss important issues whether it is racism, politics, violence, education, relationships, etc. I prefer songs and lyrics that connect with me as well as speaks on the realities of life. Unlike most modern artist now of days doesn’t speak about real issues that many people face on a daily. I decided to write and incorporated the lyrics of late hip-hop artist Tupac song Changes. In my opinion this is one of his best songs. The beat is catchy but what is important is the message he try to tell throughout the song. It speaks about the harsh realities of...
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...Netcoh, S. (2013). Droppin’ Knowledge on Race: Hip-Hop, White Adolescents, and Anti- Racism Education. Radical Teacher, 97, 10-19. doi:10.5195/rt.2013.39 Intermingling of white youth and music has been seen as progressive in terms of racial relations in America. The author suggest that previous research has shown that young white americans will listen to Hip Hop music and still gravitate toward their homogeneous lifestyle. These lifestyles are usually based on racial ideals within a American society that support social hierarchy based on socioeconomic struggles for dominance. With these two factors playing a role in systemic racism it does not help that these same consumers see hip hop as a form of entertainment instead of a genre that...
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...There are many forms of protest that have been used throughout history and rap was one of them, it shed light in important issues that many can relate to. Rap in the U.S first started in the Bronx in the 1970s by Dj Kool Herc. Rap through out time became a very popular genre that many people of all races listened to. Many rappers not only rapped about money and their life style but they rapped about important issues like racism that affected many people then and even today. Rapper Tupac and groups Public Enemy and N.W.A were among many that did. Rap is one important way to bring to light issues people are facing in society because you don’t have to be a certain race to listen to rap and even though a rapper could talk about issues that African Americans many can learn from it. To a great extent rap protest against institutional racism and inform people about what it was like being black in America....
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...unapologetic attitude, rap music is the voice of urban culture. Rap music gives people the confidence to do and say how they feel. It pushes boundaries, even in uncomfortable situations. It expresses the harsh reality in urban and rural cities in such a artistic and realistic way. It is not just about the energetic instrumentals or the catchy metaphors , it’s about the content. Rap music touches on subjects like politics, sexual exploits, and personal uniqueness. It is considered to be the perfect example of postmodern music. It’s affect on American culture is phenomenal. Rap is not just a genre of music, it is a lifestyle. From the clothes people wear, to the way people talk, rap is more than the...
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...The Impact of Slavery on American Society DeVry University Abstract The subject of slavery has been the focus of a variety of controversies, debates, and protests throughout American history. Besides the Civil War era there has not been another time in history when slavery has been such a volatile topic as it has become in the last half decade. Even in modern day America the subject of slavery evokes significant discussions and has influenced legislative decisions such as the recent removal of the Confederate flag from South Carolina’s State House grounds and other government and public locations throughout the South. This paper seeks to review the literature attaching the history of slavery and present examples of the ethnic and cultural contributions that aided in the growth and diversity of America. It will also introduce examples of today’s societal issues including educational, economic, and social variances; the right to support cultural heritage; and the significant role history plays in influencing decisions made in America today. Introduction American history is filled with heinous acts that many would like to forget happened; slavery is no exception. Although it was a necessity of the times, slavery is undoubtedly one of the most volatile topics of discussion today; not just because of the inhuman and discriminatory treatment that was inflicted on an entire race, but also because of the perceived continued existence of some of those same...
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...The Sounds of Social Justice Social movements are indicative of existing culture which is why when there is strong lobbying for social change those ideals are reflected in the music being created at that time. “Music has been one social arena more inclusive than many other arenas in American society.” (SOURCE HERE). However, the prejudice that has existed within our society is still equally as evident in music. When examining race relations throughout history, it is clear that while music was a tool used to liberate people of color it additionally has been utilized to suppress them. This suppression is apparent in the stereotypical imagery employed in song lyrics, performance styles like blackface, and the misappropriating of the credit...
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...Bitches and Hos” we can evidently say what she was trying to tell us. She certifies that women are not respected in rap music. Joan makes a valid point saying “It’s extremely telling that men who can only see us as ‘bitches’ and ‘hos’ refer to themselves as ‘niggas’” referring to the simple truth that one can not love or respect another if they do not first love and respect themselves. This is not an excuse for rappers to degrade women. It is Morgan’s way of trying to understand where the black rapper is coming from and the reasoning behind the misogyny. She points out that by demeaning black people in rap songs, the vocalists encourage racism and stereotypes. She also claims that if women want to be respected they have to start giving men opportunities to do so. For example, half-naked girls in music videos are not doing a good job in stopping men from calling them b-words. Furthermore, Joan mentions the bad state in which rap music is. The lyrics are focused on self-destructive behavior. As she says, rappers show their inner anger, personal problems and even depression through these shocking lyrics. It is their way of presenting themselves. Morgan introduced these propositions by relying on hip-hop music. She gave a couple examples from songs, their structure and main aspects of lyrics. The article also contains declamations of people not related with rap music which gave the whole work truthfulness. She also point out the clear hatred to one another. Giving examples about...
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...gone from the slums, to the suburbs, and into larger corporate rooms. McDonald’s, Addidas, Nike, Coca Cola, Sprite, and other corporate giants have capitalized on this phenomenon. Although critics of Rap music and the Hip-Hop culture seemed to be fixated on the messages of sex, violence, and harsh language Hip- Hop has potential to unify individuals and promote change. This genre of music has transformed generations across the country. Hip- Hop possesses a level of maturity and a sense of cultural belongingness that has become a protest form for people all over the world. The art form, now simply known as Hip- Hop, began with three New Yorkers: Busy Bee Starski, DJ Hollywood, and DJ Afrika Bambaataa; they are credited for creating the term Hip-Hop. It all began in the early 1970’s with house parties and basement beat shaking music in upstate New York. The beats were very melodic, Africanized, and soulful. Hip-Hop is music for Blacks and Latinos who were isolated from the main stream popular music Rock and Roll. It housed several components: Rapping (MC’ing), Break dancing, Graffiti, and Street types of sport games. Black and Latinos celebrate themselves in these different art forms and it has now grown to a world revolution. According to Terri Adams, when the term Rap was first used by African Americans it...
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