HIP-HOP

Learning Outcomes:
To develop knowledge of the origins of Hip-Hop
To develop knowledge of the stylistic features of Hip-Hop
Do Now
Think, Pair, Share in your books
1) You have 2 minutes to brainstorm everything you already know about Hip-Hop.
2) You have 2 minutes to pair with the person next to you and share your brainstorm.
3) Share one idea with the class add any new ideas to your brainstorm.

Background
Hip-hop began in the 1970s in the South Bronx in New York City
South Bronx is one the five poorest districts in the United States. Over 50% of the population
lives below the poverty line.
In the 1930s 1970s, there were a series of public works projects that negatively affected the
people of South Bronx.
The impact of these public works were:
Many home and business buildings were demolished, forcing people to relocate.
Many people were left homeless.
Communities were pulled apart.
The area became poorer as property values dropped.
People reshaped their cultural identity, and hip-hop came out of this.

Watch this video showing South Bronx in the 1970s/1980s.

While you are watching, think about the following question:
If you were living in South Bronx, how do you think you would feel about the living
conditions?
Write your answer in your book

Elements of Hip-Hop

DJ

Breakdancing

Graffiti

MC

Elements of Hip-Hop - DJ
Musical expression of Hip-Hop culture
DJ: Disk Jockey
They didnt use CDs they used vinyl. Played records on turntables.
Central figure supplied the breaks for dancers and the soundtrack for
socialisation.
Origins:
Early DJs would bring their own equipment to block parties and would plug them
into street lamps.

Elements of Hip-Hop - DJ
Techniques:
Break-beating
Scratching
Back Spin
Punch Phrasing
Important People/DJs
DJ Kool Herc
Invented break-beating
Grand Wizard Theodore
Invented scratching
Grand Master Flash
Pioneer of MCing and freestyle battles
Afrika Bambaataa

Top: Grand Wizard Theodore, Grand Master

Flash
Bottom: Afrika Bamabaataa, DJ Kool Herc (R)

Elements of Hip-Hop - Breakdancing

Physical expression of Hip-Hop.
Developed as a part of Hip-Hop culture.
Four elements:
Top rock standing position
Down rock any movement on the floor where the dancer is supported by their hands and
feet
Power moves acrobatic moves such as the windmill or head-spin
Freezes/suicides posing/freezing in position

Elements of Hip-Hop - Graffiti

Graphic/visual expression of Hip-Hop.
Different to tagging.
Not about defacing property, but an expression of how they were feeling.

Elements of Hip-Hop - MC
Vocal expression of Hip-Hop
MC Master of Ceremonies
Introduced the DJ, announced the next track, kept the crowd entertained
Evolved into a showman this was the birth of rap
Rapping was the last element to emerge from Hip Hop
Important Tracks:
Rappers Delight Sugar Hills Gang
Released in 1979 first hip-hop single to be a Top 40 hit
Defined the sound of commercial hip-hop in the early 1980s
Walk this Way Run DMC and Aerosmith
Released in 1986
Hip-hops first MTV hit
First rap song to hit the top 5 on the Billboard Top 100 charts

Musical Features of Hip-Hop

Hip-hop music focuses on rhythm rather than melody and harmony.
It is characterised by:
rapping
use of samples
use of programmed beats
DJing

Conscious vs. Gangsta

Concious

Gangsta

Focuses on social issues and conflicts

Themes include:
Religion
Anti-violence
Culture
The economy
Lifes struggles
Artists include:
Afrika Bambaataa
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Public Enemy
Common
2pac (crossover)
Notorious BIG (crossover)
Dead Prez
Mos Def
Che Fu (NZ)
Young Sid (NZ crossover)

Developed in the late 1980s out of boasting and

battling
Themes include:
Violence
Drugs
Crime
Gangs
Artists include:
Warren G
Coolio
50 Cent
2Pac
Dr. Dre
Ice T
Notorious BIG
NWA
Snoop Dogg
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

Concious Hip-Hop
Clips:
The Message Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five
Released in 1982
About the struggles of living in the Ghetto
Bring the Noise Public Enemy
Released in 1987
Argues that rap is a legitimate art form
Changes 2Pac
Released in 1998 posthumously
Talks about the issues of 2Pacs era: racism, police brutality, drugs, gang violence
Chains Che Fu and DLT
Released in 1996
About the French nuclear testing in the South Pacific
Brother Smashproof (Young Sid) feat. Gin Wigmore
Released in 2009

Gangsta Hip-Hop
Clips:
6 in the Mornin Ice-T
Released in 1986
Considered one of the first Gangsta rap tracks
Refers to weapons, the police and beating someone up etc
Mo Money Mo Problems Notorious BIG feat. Puffy Daddy and Mase
Released in 1997 posthumously
Reached #1 in the US
Refers to the police, fame, money
Gangstas Paradise Coolio
Released in 1994
Refers to gang life, police, threats to a rival gang
Forgot about Dre Dr. Dre feat. Eminem
Released in 2001
Response to disses from Death Row artists