11 - Hip Hop Flashcards
What was the first instance of rap? Did rap music exist before this thoiugh
first = Rappers Delight by Sugarhill Gang
yes it existed before, was part of larger compelx cutural practices known as hip hop which included also breakdancing graffiti and distinct fashion sense
Where did hip hop debut? How does this story go?
started: South Bronx (NYC) in 1970s
Story: “making the best of a bad situation.” bc South Bronx post-1970 was disastrous example of “urban renewal”:
=> declining manufacturing jobs and affordable housing + decreased funding for public education = a whole generation without the resources that had sustained decades of optimism
about upward mobility
= american dream? GONE
What is another story about the rise of hip hop?
combination of people thrown together by adversity and collection of DJ practices from disco
= used Jamaican toasting concept, african american rhyming
= afrodiasporic cultural bkgd
Who are notable pioneers of hip hop?
- grandmaster flash
- dj kool herc
- busy bee
- grand wizard theodore
What is another subgenre that came out of rap in the 1980s and later into 1990s? Where from? What distinguishes this genre? What group headlined this genre?
Gangsta Rap
where: south central LA and nearby black communities (Compton, Long Beach)
distinguishes = raw language lyrics, unprecedented descriptions of violence, sex, anger
Group: N**z with Attitude = brought new sense of urban, quasi-cinematic realism to popular music
What were the two distinct and important components of NWAs music/approach to rap? What does this result in for the music’s appeal to listeners?
1) funk-inflected grooves of the instrumental tracks accented by rhythmic declamations of groups rappers
2) depictions of violence and criticism of social institutions (esp law enforcement)
= funky abrasive groove that draws you in, then delivers brutal depiction of state of life and social issues
What other form of hip hop came out after gangsta rap? Sound? Main groups? What was the goal/shift?
Progressive/alternative hip hop = using samples from all over pop music, skits from tv game shows, nonviolent and insightful lyrics, received much better by critics
groups: De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest
goal/shift: lyrical content and raising art form to next level are more important than the profit margin
How did politics tie into progressive hip hop? What did Chuck D of one of these groups say about this style of rap?
Groups like Public Enemy and later Queen Latifah created politically oriented rap resulting in favourable crtitical attention
Chuck D: many rappers see their music as uplifting the race, but critics see it wrong and look at it as attacks on others
–> “They figure when you’re pro-black, you’ve got to be anti-whatever” “We aren’t pro-black to be anti-white or anti-Korean, anti-Jewish. We’re pro-black so we can look back at history and make sure that it doesn’t repeat itself.”
What concept from gangsta rap continued through hip hop? How did different artists do this?
the notion of “keeping it real”
some artsits: emphasis on partying and material acquisitions (Biggie Smalls/Notorious B.I.G.)
others: obscurantism and bizarre imaginiatve himour and music (WuTang Clan)
What was something different seen from these groups compared to all previous genres and artsits? How does this relate to the culture?
BIG GROUPS/posses
culture: idea of “blockism”, you bring your neighbourhood everywhere woth you, they are the centre of your world, the most important audience, family-like structure
What were some issues that came out of gangsta raps “keeping it real” idea? What was a turning point in this?
artists began facing various criminal charges, blurring of the line between art and real shit, line between keeping it real and rap as only entertainment
turning point: murder of 2Pac in 1996 and Biggie Smalls in 1997
How did women begin to enter rap and represent themselves in the genre? What is this representation similar to?
- new pluralism of hip hop in 1990s helped them come in
- many used their sexuality aggressively and presented menn in songs just as things to satisfy the womens needs
similar to: classic blues singer persona, woman who knowswhat she wants and isnt afraid to demand it, refusing to be defined bt her relatinship with a man (also like Madonna, Janis Joplin)
What is another way in which women entered the genre? Who?
Lauryn Hill with the Fugees came in just with impressive vocals and rapping skills
= progressive hip hop
Who was Missy Elliot? Style?
songwriter and performed on other peoples recordings then released her own in 1997
used wacky, surreal, nonglamourous persona (bizarre otherwrodley experience in videos)
Why was Lauryn Hill so significant? How was she different from many other artsits, especially those performing gangsta rap?
- first big crossover female superstar in hip hop
- won 5 grammy awards 1999 with solo album
- photo on Time cover
= all siginified acceptance of hip hop by mainstream audience
= she set the standard for hip hop going forward
different: philosophy major at Columbia, attractive, articulate,
and adamantly religious
