Rap, what is it? RAP stands for Rhythm and Poetry.
Today it is one of the most popular urban genres to date.
It has become a multi-million dollar genre in the music industry,
Making Artist such as Dr. Dre, Sean "Diddy" combs" Jay-Z, Eminem and Snoop Dog millions in less than a decade.
DEFINITION OF RAP
Rapping essentially involves the speaking or chanting of rhyming lyrics, often set to a beat. The rhyming created by rappers is considered by many to be one of the most sophisticated styles of poetry.
ORIGIN
Rap originated in the early 1970's in south Bronx New York. In that era, the Bronx was a very poverty stricken area and its inhabitants had endured difficult times. These difficult times inspired many young talented artists to craft their stories about the struggles they experienced and endured to a rhythm and Rapped them.This was define as "Hip Hop out the Ghetto".
Some of the major driving forces in the expansion and development of Rap music at that time were DJ Kool herc, Grand Master Flash, Sugarhill Gang and RunDMC.
These artist were the pioneers of Rap Music. They basically built a foundation that allowed other rappers recognition and influenced other individuals to pursue Rap throughout the 70's. In to the 80's, areas in New York like ;Queens, Brooklyn and Harlem, produced artist like LL cool J, 50 cent Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur.
1980's
At this time Rap had an immense fan base and many people began to follow the movement even more. Of course the people who were really following this music were the African Americans who could relate to the music because they all were experiencing the same thing. In this same 80's era, the music became what people consider conscious, music that gave the minorities in the country hope in that things will get better, to persevere and over come the challenges in which black people were facing in that era, such as racism and Police brutality. After awhile, the oppression became to much and the Rap which was motivational and uplifting transformed into Music of anger and retaliation. This sprung a group of individuals from Compton, California who called themselves NWA (Niggaz Wit Attitude) in 1986. This group comprised of DJ Yella, MC Ren, Ice Cube, Arabian Prince, the Late Eazy-E and the Father of West Coast Rap Dr. Dre.
This Group Agitated the public to retaliate against the police, if not physically mentally and they cause animosity between the Police and the Public.
One of their more Famous songs was "FU**K the Police". If you want to know more about this group you just watch new movie Straight Outta Compton.
1990's
Into the 90's a hip hop rivalry broke out between the east and the west side. The West coast was the California area and East was the New york and Maryland Area. The origin of this war isn't quite Clear but the impact it had on the Black community was incredible. This Coast war highlighted two of the most flamboyant rappers to date on music industry:
TUPAC (West Coast) Biggie Smalls (East Coast)
TUPAC (West Coast) Biggie Smalls (East Coast)
This rivalry included the back to back diss tracks between rappers from each coast and eventually this transition from just being verbal disputes to drive by shootings. Tupac was a somewhat conscious lyricist with a hint of controversy. He was the head figure of the west coast. Biggie Smalls, known for his immaculate flow and pictorial language, was the face of the East coast. Sadly, both these artist died coincidentally in drive by shootings. Tupac died on September 13, 1996 at the age of 25, and seven months later Biggie died On March 9th 1997 at the age of 24.
and just like tupac when Biggie died his album was released days after. This album was called Life After Death. This album was one of the few albums in that era to go Diamond, selling 690,000 copies in the first week.
After Biggie's death Faith Evans and Puff Daddy dedicated a song to Biggie entitled
I'll Be Missing You
After Biggie's death Faith Evans and Puff Daddy dedicated a song to Biggie entitled
I'll Be Missing You
Many said their deaths were the symbolization of the death of that "genuine authentic" rap music which stood for over three decades.
2000's
Coming into the 21st century, the style of rap had change tremendously. The rhythm had change from that smooth melodic flow, to a more choppy and uptempo beat. Rappers such as lil Wayne, Fifty Cent, Eminem, Snoop Dog and Kayne West are just a few of the many rappers that emerged in the 2000's.
What had been a major difference between the 20th century rappers to the 21'st was the content. While the 20th century rappers told stories which inspired and motivated the people,
the 21st century
rappers advocated sex, drugs and crime. Objectifying women and others provocative things where not condemned by the "hood" but rather praised. This had no benefit on the black on community but rather encourage black on black crime in the United States. Rap was predominantly Black Artist but eventually rappers of many races picked up the mic. In the early 2000's this did not sit well with the black community.
Eminem was one of these artist who was of a different ethnicity but could relate to the struggles which the black community endured. This was not all it would take to convince the African Americans, so Eminem had to work twice as hard to "Make It".
Eventually the Black community accepted Eminem as one of their own, one of the main reasons this happened was because Dr. Dre one of the major producers back then and still is today had a major influence on rap and endorsed Eminem, essentially giving him a "Hood Pass". Eminem opened up the gateway for many more white artist to pursue Rap. Artist such as Mac Miller, MGK, Macklemore and G-Eazy just to name a few.
Rap as deteriorated throughout the years, there is not as much effort and creativity into put into the the art of music however, they are some Rappers who are trying to recapture the true and natural essence of Rap music,
Artist such as J cole, Kendrick Lamar, Logic and Joey Bada$$ are somewhat the reincarnations of the early 80's rappers.
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