Big Blog No. 1: American Roots Music (Hip-Hop)

 Hip-hop has proven itself to be a very popular genre of music in the modern world today. Hip-hop is a genre of music that can be related to a strong, rhythmic beat and a rapping vocal track. According to an article by the "masterclass", Hip-hop originated in New York City in the 1970's as a cultural exchange among Black, Latino, and Caribbean youth and has today grown into being one of the most popular and consumed genres of music in the United States. According to the same article the four main pillars for Hip-hop goes as follows; DJ'ing, rapping, breakdancing, and grafitti.

When talking about where and how Hip-hop came from, it all started in New York City. According to an article by "The Kennedy Center", it all came together in the Bronx borough in the early 1970's. The times were tougher than usual for the poorer parts of urban America.  It is very interesting, because from basically nothing, and a whole lot of imagination, Hip Hop were created. The article also mentions that one of the reasons to how Hip Hop took form was because of DJ Kool Herc, stating that he is "credited with throwing the switch at an August 1973 dance bash" (The Kennedy Center). The way he created some of that music, he had a technique that had the ability to fill the floor with dancers who has spent days and weeks polishing their moves. The effect that night was electric, and that was the beginning of how Hip Hop started to gain popularity.

Looking at what earlier music genres were influenced by hip hop, we'll be taking a closer look at a blog by Raymond Codrington, Hip Hop is a genre influenced by Funk, Soul, Jazz, and Blues music. Funk music in particular, had a profound impact on the development of hip hop. Many of the early hip hop tracks were built around samples taken from classic funk records, and the heavy bass and rhythms of funk music became a hallmark of hip hop production. Next, we have soul music. This played a significant role because of the use of soulful vocal samples and melodic hooks can be heard in many classic hip hop tracks, and the themes of social justice and empowerment that were often present in soul music were also reflected in the lyrics of many early hip hop songs. Jazz music is up next, which also had an impact on hip hop, particularly in the area of improvisation. Many hip hop artists have incorporated jazz-influenced instrumentation and improv techniques into the music, which resulted to be used in hip hop production. Lastly, we have blues music. Some of the themes such as hardship and struggle, which is usually present in blues lyrics have been reflected in the lyrics of a great deal of hip hop songs.

Hip hop music is known for its diverse range of instrumentation, often incorporating a mix of traditional and electronic instruments. While the specific instrumentation can vary widely depending on the artist and the particular track, there are several instruments that are commonly used in hip hop music.

One of the most iconic instruments used in hip hop is the turntable. The turntable was originally used as a tool for DJs to manipulate and scratch records, and it has since become a staple of hip hop production. DJs often use turntables to create beats, cut and scratch samples, and add effects to their tracks.

Another important instrument in hip hop is a drum machine. The drum machine allows producers to create complex drum patterns and beats using digital programming. 

Live instruments, such as an electric guitar, also play a significant role in hip hop music. The electric guitar, is often used to add some gritty sound tracks, while the bass guitar provides a deep, driving groove/rhythm. Trumpets and saxophones, are also commonly used in hip hop, adding a jazzy or soulful flavor to tracks.

Piano and keyboard instruments are also important in hip hop music. Pianos and electric keyboards can be used to create melodic hooks, often used to create atmospheric soundscapes and give that extra feel to the sound track.

Finally, vocals are a key element in hip hop music. Producers often uses effects and editing techniques to create entirely new sounds and phrases. This has become extremely popular in the modern world today, where they have different techniques to change sounds etc...

Down below is a music video that can be related to the Hip-Hop genre...👇🏼

When I did some research for hip hop music, I first searched up the "best hip hop songs in 2022", and the song above by Post Malone "Copped Up" came up. I do believe this is a great example of what a lot of hip hop music has become today in the modern world. From the instruments, we can clearly hear the vocal techniques to change the sound of the track, there is a clear bass through the song, and if you listen closely there is some piano and keyboard instruments in the background for the melody. This is also an overall good song that I am a fan of, so it is safe to say that I am a fan of the hip-hop genre.

From what I have experienced, hip hop lyrics are often deeply personal and reflect the experiences and perspectives of the artist. Many hip hop songs explore themes of social justice, inequality, and the struggle for survival in marginalized communities. Other tracks might focus on more personal struggles, such as relationships, mental health, or addiction. Language about sexual topics has also become a very popular normalized thing to sing about today as well. Hip hop lyrics can also be political, poetic, and raw, often using clever metaphors to sing about complex ideas. The overall commitment for the lyrics is often to tell stories and speaking truth to power, resulting in a genre that is deeply connected with the communities and cultures that can struggle with certain topics that are being sung about.

Source sited: 

Masterclass,"Hip-Hop Music Guide: History of Hip-op and Notable Artists", 2021,  https://www.masterclass.com/articles/hip-hop-guide#519gsHUoqfIAf06mnC5rEo, Last Updated June 16th, 2021 

The Kennedy Center, "Hip-Hop: A culture of Vision and Voice", https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/media/hip-hop/hip-hop-a-culture-of-vision-and-voice/ 

Codrington, Raymond, "In the beginning: hip hop's early influences", 2006 https://blog.oup.com/2006/08/in_the_beginnin/ Last Updated, August 4th, 2006