Hip Hop's Transcendence

As I sit here watching Nas' Behind the Music special - for the second time, I am reminded why I love Hip Hop; it's raw, it's bold, it's real. It is freedom of speech in one of the purest forms. It is the song of the underdog. I fell in love with with the genre as a young girl; my older brother meticulously cleaned his shell toes while playing the latest Hip Hop records:Sugar Hill Gang, Kurtis Blow, Beastie Boys, Run DMC, LL Cool J. The beats and rhymes were rhythmic, soulful, creative. Best of all, it was unlike any other music that my young ears had heard. We grew up together, Hip Hop and I, so now in my 30's I remain faithful... I will be a B Girl until the day I die! Below is a paper I wrote which chronicles my beloved culture- Hip Hop..


York College-Eng. 103-5/24/06

Hip Hop’s Transcendence

Before: An Esoteric Subculture After: A Lifestyle Emulated Worldwide
Before: For Ghetto Youth Only After: Enjoyed by Upper Class & Socialites
Then: Under-rated Now: Grammy Nominated

This preface is in reference to Hip Hop music, lifestyle, and culture. Before its global success, this unique and ever changing genre was once considered a passing fad. Initially it was a subculture that catered to underprivileged kids who were in search of an outlet. Hip Hop was their voice. It was a vehicle used to express their struggles; through rapping, break-dancing, and graffiti. Critics deemed the music ridiculous and lewd, thus continuing to ignore the plight of these urban youth. Society at large wanted nothing to do with Hip Hop or the people it represented.

Hip Hop emerged in the late seventies. It became extremely popular since the disco era had ended. Specifically the art form began in the South Bronx. Bronx neighborhoods were ravished by drugs, crime and abandoned buildings. In 1969, the New York Times stated that residents of the Hunts point area had “only a one in 20 chance of dying of natural causes”, most deaths resulted from drug overdose or murder. (New York, The South Bronx Miracle pg.1). President Carter visited the area in 1977 and referred to it as “the worst slum in America” (New York, The South Bronx Miracle). Due to lack of resources, ghetto youths had to create their own pastime. The kids started to rap; using slang and street talk to create songs (The roots of Hip Hop pg. 2). Kids rapped about their hood, demanding respect for themselves and their community (Hip to Hip Hop pg.1). The raps were reflective of the environment, raw and laced with violence.

Today, Hip Hop concerts draw thousands of fans eager to see their favorite artists. Madison Square Garden has often been sold out for a major Hip Hop performance. However, back then concert promoters would rarely entertain the idea. DJs like GrandMaster Flash, Kool Herc, and Africa Bambaata would spin records in parks and community centers for crowds of kids (The roots of Hip Hop, pg. 1). The DJs would mix records to make the percussion breaks longer. The kids called B-boys started an acrobatic style of dancing during the breaks, hence the term break dancing (The roots of Hip Hop, 1). This style of dance involves “popping and locking” your body to the music (Hip Hop, Its high energy moves, pg1). City parks and streets were readily available for early Hip Hop performers and their fans.

The song credited for giving Hip Hop mass appeal was ‘Rappers Delight’ by the Sugar Hill Gang. Released in 1979, the hit song sold up to 60,000 units daily in the US alone (The Roots of Hip Hop pg. 2). The song’s backdrop was the disco classic ‘Good Times’ and was a favorite among club DJs. Another song that helped Hip Hop to become mainstream was ‘The Message’. GrandMaster Flash’s lyrics poignantly illustrate the result of being poor in the ghetto. “The Message struck a chord with a generation of kids on both sides of the Atlantic, growing up in the economic depression of Reagan’s America and Thatcher’s Britain” (The Roots of Hip Hop pg. 3). With major labels ready to mass produce Hip Hop records, the voice of urban America could no longer be ignored.

During the eighties, Hip Hop became available through various media outlets. In 1984, Video Music Box became the first television show to air Hip Hop videos. Hosted by Ralph McDaniels and Lionel “Vid Kid” Martin, the show featured every major and up and coming artist. MTV later followed with its own show, focusing mostly on Hip Hop videos with cross over or pop appeal. Hip Hop audiences were now being catered to by radio as well. In 1986, the radio station Hot 97 was launched. This high profile station promotes every aspect of Hip Hop. It exposes listeners to music, lifestyle, and culture via interviews with Hip Hop artists, concerts, fashion shows, and community service projects (WQHT-FM Wikipedia pg 1).

Hip Hop has evolved with the changing times and trends. One notable difference is the increase of female rappers. The male dominated genre was taken by storm with the success of female emcees such as MC Lyte, Salt N Pepper, and Queen Latifah. Their songs displayed a softer side of the genre while garnering respect from their male counterparts. Queen Latifah’s Grammy winning single UNITY, uplifts women and promotes an end to domestic and gang violence. Additionally, Hip Hop artists themselves have ventured outside of the hood. They are organizing charitable foundations, starring in roles alongside seasoned thespians, manufacturing clothing, making energy drinks, writing books, etc. Hip Hop has metastasized from its east coast roots across the US and is emulated globally. Hip Hop has become so diversified that it is hard not to find a song or artist to like.

Hip Hop has come full circle. The original art form derived from the Mecca of cool is now a respected and admired lifestyle and culture. It is also a multi billion dollar enterprise, used to market everything from sports and fashion to religion and politics (Hip to Hip Hop pg 1). Mayor Bloomberg announced the first ever Hip Hop honors week slated to be held later this year (States News Service p1). In conjunction with VH1, New Yorkers will an opportunity to partake in all activities related to Hip Hop history and culture (States News Service p1). It has surpassed the expectations of not only its critics but B-boys and girls alike. In March, Hip Hop legends GrandMaster Flash and Africa Bambaataa were present at a press conference that focused on a future display at the Smithsonian (Exhibiting Interest… pg 1). The exhibit entitled Hip Hop Won’t Stop: The Beats, the Rhymes, the Life, is expected to take at least five years until completion (Exhibiting Interest… pg 1). The display will feature various artifacts pivotal the inception of Hip Hop. Thanks to Hip Hop’s humble beginnings, its future looks so much brighter.