The history of Hip-hop
- Kamila Niemotko
- Dec 13, 2022
- 2 min read
What is hip-hop?
Hip-hop is a cultural movement that attained widespread popularity in the 1980s and '90s. It has influenced everything from fashion to politics. One major manifestation of hip-hop culture is its music. The most influential and known distinguishing form of this movement is rhythmic and/or rhyming speech.
A lot of people use rap and hip-hop synonymously. Rap is a music genre that is found in hip-hop, but hip-hop itself is a great culture and way of lifestyle. According to pioneer Afrika Bambaata the term hip-hop refers to a complex culture consisting of four elements:
• Rapping (or MCing)
• Turntablism (or DJing)
• Breakdancing (or BBoy/BGirling)
• Street art (or graffiti)
Sometimes a fifth element, "knowledge of self/consciousness" is added to the list above.
Origins
Although the history of hip-hop saw its roots in the 1970s in the Bronx, the genuine origin of this culture is in West Africa. In local societies, there was a figure called a griot, in charge of transmitting oral tradition through recitation. Centuries after the arrival of Africans to the United States as slaves this custom started to evolve into rap. It started as a collaboration among intersecting groups of Black, Latinx, and Caribbean American youth at block parties—community gatherings around New York that featured DJs playing soul and funk music.
Interview
My dearest friend is passionate about hip-hop and makes rap music by himself. He has a piece of great knowledge in this field and agreed to give me an interview, so there he is – Julek Junior, the artist of a new generation.
N: Where did your interest in music come from?
JJ: I was probably strongly influenced by my artistically gifted family, especially by my dad, who had a punk-rock band and aroused my music interest.
N: What made you create hip-hop music?
JJ: I identify with its culture and appreciate its authenticity, that's why it's so dear to my heart.
N: What do you value about hip–hop culture?
JJ: I value the universality, openness to ideas, its pillars and authenticity, which gradually decline since enormous corporations start to take over a majority of highest noted rappers. The main idea of bragging about money is the fact that you escaped the ghetto by yourself and you no longer live the margin.
N: One last question. What inspires you to write songs?
JJ: Generally current events and times where I can't see myself. I feel alienated and as if I don't fit in there.
N: Thanks so much for giving me a great interview.
You can support and follow JJ in media:
YouTube – Julek Junior
Soundcloud – Julek Junior
IG – kacprula47
Sources:
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