Hip-hop moments that shook the world
It wasn't meant to last. When hip-hop emerged in the 1970s, it aspired simply to capture the sentiments, camaraderie and frustrations of inner-city New York.
Yet, refusing to give in to early prophecies that it would come and go, the genre continues to thrive 35 years on, spilling over from music into art, fashion, TV and film. How Hip Hop Changed the World, a new documentary airing this week on Channel 4, will examine the story of the movement and how it has influenced pop culture – but for those who don't know their hips from their hops, here's a quick primer of the 10 most notable moments in the genre's history.
The birth of a new art form (1970s)
Hip-hop DJs in the early 1970s were defined more than anything by their technique, captivating funk fans in a way never before ventured – and their way was led by Jamaican-born spinner Kool Herc in the Bronx. He discovered a way to emphasise the "break" (the part of a record where the kick drum is most prominent) to get inner-city kids on the dance floor at his parties, and used this point to mix one song with another, with the help of two turntables. Throw in his "rapping" – rhythmic announcements that later became the sole job of the master of ceremony, or MC – and you have the revolutionary birth of hip-hop music.
Over the years, DJs such as Grand Wizard Theodore and Grandmaster Flash developed further techniques, their particular contribution being to popularise "scratching" (moving a record back and forth on the turntable). Becoming entertainers in their own right, they paved the way for the culture of the superstar DJ epitomised by Pete Tong and Paul Oakenfold in the 1990s.
Alongside the music, a new form of street dance emerged. Encouraged by the DJs' breakbeats, young "breakdancing" African-Americans and Latinos were christened "b-boys" and "b-girls" for their style of frenetic, acrobatic movement. In 1984, a film called Beat Street hit cinemas across the US, earnt a screening at Cannes, and made groups such as the New York City Breakers and Rock Steady Crew household names. The influence of their style of dance can still be seen – from the triumphs of George Sampson and London street crew Diversity in winning Britain's Got Talent, to the choreography of dance flicks such as Step Up.
Graffiti writers also found themselves crossing over into the subculture. It was the rebellious nature of the music that resonated with these artists, as many took to graffiti as an act of social protest. The artist, poet and Warhol protégé Jean-Michel Basquiat was at the forefront of the movement, famously spraying his tag SAMO© across New York City, and together with the pioneering Lee Quinones took writing from the street into galleries. They also worked with fellow artist Fab Five Freddy on graffiti-ing the sets of music videos for the post-punk band Blondie.
How To Write Rap Lyrics - News
Its tongue-twisting lyrics – "I said a hip, hop, a hippie, a hippie to the hip hip hop, and you don't stop" – and funky groove were created by the Sugar Hill Gang after they heard "Good Times" at a party and spontaneously freestyled over it.
It was there that Chi got his inspiration to write lyrics and started showcasing his talent as a rapper/songwriter. His music is based on the struggles he goes through in every day life in becoming an artist, as well as on what goes on around him.
Rap artists are coming a dime a dozen nowadays, but coming much younger. The youth are officially the future of Hip-Hop. One young artist is already making a name of himself within the southern regions of Broward County and is already in the midst of
But if I had a gift for writing rap lyrics, or if, like J, I didn't so much have that gift as think I had it, I would for sure give that a try. Here's the first episode for your end-of-week chuckle. You can find the rest of the series on the Awkward
This rap/hip hop performer and writer is among the "gifted` people who took the time to learn about the world around him. He lived life - with all its tragedies and hardships along the way; and living life is the only way to be able to write songs that
How to Write the Verse to Your Rap Music Lyrics
As you are writing you can try different words intertwined within the various bars. You can play with the different syllables within the words. What I mean by this is that you can take a word and take the syllables and say them very quickly in order to match the beats that are playing. You can also take the syllables and stretch them out over the beats. How to Structure Your Freestyle Rap Lyrics
Every freestyle rap song has a structure, so this article will talk about this structure. There are different parts of this structure that we will define so that you have a strong understanding of how to write your songs. How to Write the Melody of Your Freestyle Rap Lyrics
As a freestyle rapper, you spend a lot of time working on your freestyle rap lyrics, rhyming and flow. It is important not to overlook the creation of the melody. 3 Secrets to Writing the Hook For Your Rap Song
What is the most important part of the rap song? You guessed it right. It is the hook. What is the hook all about? Are there any tips to writing the hook? Let’s examine the hook and in the process give you some tips and secrets to notching down the hook. Sell Your Rap Music Beats
Obviously you already have an interest in rap music as you have decided to make rap music beats. Now we have established that you have an interest you need to ask yourself the reason for creating beats. A solution exist that allow your rap music beats to be created for your own purposes or for your professional aspirations. On a professional; level many music companies and even Internet providers are on the lookout for fresh rap beats they can use and pay you royalties for the rights.Sometimes thoughts, ideas or words might come to you when you don’t have any beats available to you. When this happens, you still have to write them down. You might try to have some beats going on in your head. You may have to tap your hands or feet. You still can write and flow with what you are hearing or tapping. Don’t let the fact that you don’t have any beats stop you from writing your verses.
How To Write Rap Lyrics - Bookshelf
Reading youth writing, "new" literacies, cultural studies & education
For instance, take the following description by the male members of a young Montreal rap crew, the Bartenders, about why they write rap lyrics: Maxime: Like ...Lyrics Method - How to Write Rap Songs & Create Hip Hop Lyrics!
Exploring criminal justice
Several defendants who have been charged with serious violent felonies also happen to write rap lyrics that often glamorize and depict their own criminal ...You've Got Talent
Ifyou are writing your song from scratch without any music to base it on, ... with current slang words in wider use and include them in your rap lyrics. ...Underground codes, race, crime, and related fires
In another, he wrote gangsta rap lyrics but was not charged with murder. In a third version, he did not write gangsta rap lyrics and was charged with murder ...Helpful Articles Directory
How to Write Rap Lyrics - wikiHow
How to Write Rap Lyrics. So, you want to be a rapper? One essential part of writing a rap song is knowing the fundamental principles to writing meaningful lyrics. ...
How to Write Rap Song Lyrics in 5 Steps
Want to become a better rapper? Learn how to write rap song lyrics quickly and effectively with these proven steps!
How to Write Rap Lyrics | eHow.com
How to Write Rap Lyrics. Rap music is a combination of musical beats and poetry. You should approach writing rap lyrics like you would approach the ...
Rap Monster | How To Write Rap Lyrics
Download royalty free hiphop songs , promote your streaming mp3 and video using our music marketing and distribution software.
How To Write Rap Lyrics | Made Manual
Knowing how to write rap lyrics means finding punch lines that rhyme in a two pair ... To write rap lyrics effectively, you must match the syllables in your ...