The Birth of Hip-Hop: Part I“But you know, America is really on some

race stuff. Its unfortunate that we don’t deal with it and that’s why it doesn’t go away.”

-Queen Latifa

Hip-Hop Origins• Rap:– one part (along with break-dancing and

graffiti art) of a cultural form known as hip-hop

– Emerged in South Bronx in late 70s– Roots– Characteristics

• Controversial

Hip-Hop Origins• Hip-Hop:– Cultural form of expression consisting of

rap music, graffiti art and break-dancing from NY during late 70s

• American mainstream• Omnipresent• The Hip Hop Generation

The Hip Hop Generation“Because of rap, the voices, images, style attitude and language of young blacks have become central in American culture, transcending geographical, social and economic boundaries.”

The Bronx – Hearth of Rap• Economic Conditions in America? NY?• Devastating financial issues• Cross Bronx Expressway• Results????

Your Task – The Old School1978 - 1984

• Using the packet given to you this morning, with a partner (or solo) read through the lyrics of each song. Try to answer the following questions on your own paper the best you can:

1. What are the central themes in the song? 2. Examining the artists era in hip hop culture, what

political, social or cultural events and circumstances could have contributed to the lyrics?

3. Does the song help contribute to a more complete understanding of the artist’s poetic range and development?

The Beginnings• Crews / Posses– An informal inner city neighborhood

group formed as a means of providing identity and support for its members

•

Techniques and Cultural Influences

• Break– The most danceable, instrumental

sections of records• Toasting– From Jamaica

• Scratching / Back-spinning• MCs (spelled out now as

EmCees)

The First Record Label• Sugar Hill Records– “Rapper’s Delight”

by Sugar Hill Gang 1979

– Sold over 1 million copies

– Alerts MCs and DJs to potential commercialism of rap

Old School RapAfrika Bambaataa – Planet Rock

Kurtis Blow – The Breaks

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The Message

Run DMC & Aerosmith

The Birth of Hip-Hop: Part 2

“The America that we are making for others is ultimately the America we will make for

ourselves. It will not be on the other side of town. It will be right outside our front door.”

- Mikal Gilmore

Your Task – The Golden Age1985 - 1992

• Using the packet given to you this morning, with a partner (or solo) read through the lyrics of each song. Try to answer the following questions on your own paper the best you can:

1. What are the central themes in the song? 2. Examining the artists era in hip hop culture, what

political, social or cultural events and circumstances could have contributed to the lyrics?

3. Does the song help contribute to a more complete understanding of the artist’s poetic range and development?

East Coast Rap (aka Old School)

Beastie Boys – Sure Shot

East Coast Rap (aka Old School)

Eric B. & Rakim – Paid in Full

East Coast Rap (aka Old School)

Run DMC – Proud to Be Black

East Coast Rap (aka Old School)

Salt-n-Pepa – Let’s Talk About Sex

East Coast Rap (aka Old School)

Tribe Called Quest – Award Tour

Other East Coast HitsLL Cool J Queen Latifa

East Coast Rappers Cause Controversy

East Coast Rappers Cause ControversyPublic Enemy

West Coast Rap (aka Gangsta Rap)

• California growing as center for rap development–MC Hammer• Please Hammer Don’t Hurt Em (1990)

• Gangsta Rappers making names– Live in ghettos of California– 1st person accounts, not 3rd person– Ice T 1986 “6 ‘n the Mornin’”

West Coast Rap (aka Gangsta Rap)NWA – Express Yourself

West Coast Rap (aka Gangsta Rap)

• Death Row Records– Suge Knight & Dr. Dre• The Chronic 1993

– Snoop Doggy Dog• Doggystyle 1994

East Coast vs. West Coast

The Birth of Hip-Hop: Part 3

Your Task – Rap Goes Mainstream1993 - 1999

• Using the packet given to you this morning, with a partner (or solo) read through the lyrics of each song. Try to answer the following questions on your own paper the best you can:

1. What are the central themes in the song? 2. Examining the artists era in hip hop culture, what

political, social or cultural events and circumstances could have contributed to the lyrics?

3. Does the song help contribute to a more complete understanding of the artist’s poetic range and development?

Busta Rymes – Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See

Jay-Z – Hard Knocked Life

Common – I Used to Love H.E.R.

2Pac – Brenda’s Gotta Baby

Wu Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.