RHEA MAHULE
Diversity of
Hip-Hop has originated from the African American communities of the Southern Bronx , New York in the 1970s . Despite it being one of the newest genres , it is safe to say that it is also one of the most widely spread and diverse genres of the global music industry . Perhaps the reason for it being so might be related to how music and poetry has always existed since ancient times all over the world , and hip-hop music is more or less a blend of these two elements .
In fact , the two elements , music and poetry , have even existed together accompanying each other since many centuries . One example of this is the storytelling method in ancient China called “ Shuochang ”. Shuochang literally translates to “ spoken singing ” and its practice had originated in China in the 11th century . Another strong root of hip-hop can also be traced back to Western Africa where the art of Griot emerged centuries ago , and it still being performed . In griot a person sings / recites epics accompanied by a stringed or percussion instrument .
Coming to the Indian subcontinent , Sinhala ’ s folk music , the music of Sri Lanka , has characterises of hip-hip music too . It is a local folk genre that is sung along to a heavily percussive music . The concept of Kabi Gaan in Bengal can also be seen as a localized version of rap battle of the region . In Kabi gaan , two poets battled each other using poetry
Hip Hop
recitation with live music being played . At the end of each battle , a medal is given to the winner .
Despite years of existence in various parts of the world , there has to be a reason why the genre suddenly bloomed in USA in the 1970s ’. The reason could perhaps be the organised growth of the genre , the recording and distribution industry , or the monopoly that USA and UK had over the global music industry .
The invention story of hip-hop music is rather interesting too . It was originated in poverty struck areas of USA ’ s east coast where a bunch of unemployed people turned to music to earn money . Many of them started to become DJs , and this was during the time when the use of dual turntables was on the spread . The DJs began to use the two turn tables to use various techniques , such as scratching and looping to create unique beats from existing funk , disco , and jazz records . These DJs also played at local black parties , and invited MCs to host these parties . As engaging the people was the major responsibility of MC , they began interacting and engaging with the party goers while naturally rhyming along with the unique beats .
This simple engaging tool then evolved into a much diverse forms and with many different uses too . In the early 1980s ’ the music of socially-conscious hip-hop emerger where artists rapped about social issues poverty , racism , and education . The 90s ’ saw the rise of gangster rap along with hardcore rap where the artists used hip-hop music to describe the gangster life and the hardships of it .
After that hip-hop music started being about a lot of other things . Artists rapped and sang about the rich life , love , parties , poverty , family etc . A lot of hip-hop music was also created as part of protests against government , and organizations . “ Untitled ” by Nas and “ To Pimp a Butterfly ” are two great examples of albums consisting of protest tracks .
Hip-hop is a genre that is loved by people all over the world regardless of the country they are from , the language they speak , their economic class , their age or their gender . In fact , you can even find hip-hop artists from all these varied groups . What makes hiphop such a widely acceptable and celebrated genre ?
One reason is the simplicity of the music . One does not have to understand or focus on the complexities of its composition . Everyone could easily enjoy and grove to the music . Another reason is that it could be called as the music of the masses . There were artists that sand about daily lives and the struggles which the general public could often relate too .
The strongest reason of them all could perhaps be the easy accessibility to the creation of the music . Since it does not require a lot of equipment or instruments , it can be created , or re-created anywhere at any time . The listeners can also often sing along to the music if one can simply remember the words . This is not to say that good hip-hop music does not require skill , but a basic level of engagement can be practiced by most people .
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