2. Rap or Hip hop is a style of music which combines a speech called rapping and
instrumental music which gives more rhythm to the speech.
Hip Hop is not only a style of music, it actually is a cultural movement which has a
lot of elements. Break dancing or graffitis are an example.
When we refer to the term rap, we are only talking about the music.
What is rap / hip hop?
3. History of Rap
Rap music was born in the Bronx (New York) during the 1970s due to the
collaboration between african american singers (later known as MCs) and some
instrumental DJs who made the beat for the songs.
Some say that DJ Hollywood was one of the first rappers who started making rap
music, but when Kurtis Blow released the song The Breaks, he became the most
famous singer in the seventies.
However, it wasn’t until the 80s when the rap industry became strong.
DJ HOLLYWOOD
KURTIS
BLOW
4. The 80s started with Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five releasing an
important album. Later on, they also released a single called The Message, which
is still one of the best songs made in the hip hop genre.
Loads of MCs appeared during this period of time,
which caused the “Golden age” of hip hop in the late
80s / early 90s.
Some of the main groups of this period was Run-DMC or the Beastie Boys, who
was the first hip hop group to have an album at the top of the Billboard charts.
1980s
5. 1990s
One of the most successful albums of the 90s was Fear of a Black Planet
by Public Enemy.
Sugarhill Gang’s
“Rapper’s Delight”
was their most significative single. It became the first rap single to enter the
national top 20.
6. MC Hammer released a multi platinum album
called Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em.
He became internationally famous for his
number one single U Can’t Touch This, which
is still listened nowadays.
In 1992 Dr.Dre released The Chronic, helping to establish West Coast gangsta
rap as more commercially viable than East Coast hip hop. This album founded a
new style called G Funk.
Dr.Dre
7. Snoop Dogg developed and popularized the
G Funk with the album called Doggystyle.
He had a huge impact in the 90s.
His second album called Tha Doggfather
debuted at No. 1 with Snoop’s Upside Ya
Head. The album was certified double
platinum in 1997.
SNOOP
DOGG
8. Ice Cube is considered an icon and inspiration for a lot of singers.
He has been a very important person in the hip hop industry, and
almost every rapper has a song that mentions him or tries to be
like him.
His best single is, by far, Today Was A Good Day, which is one of the
best rap songs ever made.
In 1994, Warren G and Nate Dogg, released a song called Regulate, which is also
one of songs that cannot be ignored. It reached top 2 on the Billboard charts and
has been successful worldwide.
In the mid 90s, Hip Hop became a best selling genre and the top selling music
genre by 1999 with 81 million CD’s sold.
9. Rivalry between coasts
The rivalry between the West Coast and the East Coast has had
a huge impact in the music made in the middle 90s.
The east-side was mainly defended by The Notorious B.I.G,
who was a very important rapper. He released some of the
most known hip hop songs, like Juicy or Big Poppa.
The west-side was defended by Tupac, who is, for the 99% of the hip hop
fanbase, the greatest rapper ever. Most of his songs fought racism and he was a
big inspiration to a lot of singers.
Sadly, they were both killed in the late 90s.
10. 2000s
The 2000s are considered a step to a new era to the rap industry. New artists step
up while the old ones stop performing.
Eminem, currently one of the top rap artists, released his first album (The Slim
Shady LP) in 1999, and followed this one the next year with The Marshall Mathers
LP. He has made 8 albums up until now and he is working on the next one. Oddly
enough, he is one of the few successful white-skinned rappers in the hip hop
history.
EMINEM
11. One of the stars from the 2000 is Kanye West. He has released 7 solid albums
and absolutely everyone agrees that he has made some of the best hip hop content
and he is a great artist. His unique style makes his songs be fluent and chill with
an enjoyable rhythm.
OutKast, although they are not from the 2000, they are from the 90s, they are
still performing nowadays. They are a duo made by André 3000 and Big Boi, who
are really good artists. Together they have made good singles like Ms. Jackson or
Hey Ya!, which are very known.
OutKast
Kanye West
12. New talents
J. Cole is considered the best current rapper all around the world by some music magazines.
He has released very good singles and last year he released an album which is on its way to
be a top seller. No doubt we will hear from him in a near future.
Kendrick Lamar is also quite a new talent. His unique style and flow makes him a very good
artist and his songs are really enjoyable to listen.
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
13. New talents
Big K.R.I.T is an artist who, with no doubt, will rise to the top in a few years. His originality and
voice are impressive and, according to music professionals, with J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar,
are probably the best rappers at the moment.
