Analysis of Hip Hop Genre - Essay Example

HIP HOP GENRE Hip-hop is has been defined as a culture, a genre and a force resulting from the use of music. In the original context, hip hop is a culture born in the black neighborhood of the Bronx 1970's and has spread throughout the world. Hip-hop today has cut down on the culture and has become more focused on the music itself. The commercialization of the genre has helped transform it from a back street rebellion to the mainstream force it is today. (Dave, 1985) The aim of hip-hop was what propelled it to where it is today. Hip-hop was a means of expression and a channel of rebellion against the norm. As chronicled by Davey (1985), the freedom of participation offered by this art form appealed to its earliest crowds in New York. The beauty of its simplicity propelled it through the neighborhoods and transformed it into its earliest form of a culture of expression that was not bogged down by the rules of society. As he so aptly states, "Hip hop continues to be a direct response to an older generation's rejection of the values and needs of young people. " From the days of the father of hip-hop, DJ Kool, the genre has evolved into a culture altogether encompassing more than just the music. The early tools of trade for a DJ were simply a turntable and speakers, a mere shadow of the technology in use by today's DJ. During the early days, hip-hop gangs became popular with groups like Bambataa's Universal Zulu Nation being formed. Around the same time, the first songs on record came out, one of the most memorable being "Rappers' Delight" by the Sugar Hill Gang. They gave the young people an alternative to violence and crime. The challenges from break dancing and free styling were refreshing breaks from gang violence (Davey, 1985). The influence of hip-hop was, however, tapped into during the Russell Simmons era. I believe that Russell brought hip-hop into the main stream and caused the commercial revolution that the genre has seen. He is the most influential figure in hip-hop. His acute business sense coupled with his knowledge of the streets has brought him fame and money, and has brought the culture the recognition it deserves. He started Def Jam Records and is responsible for the success of artistes such as LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Onyx and many other early artistes. He ventured into other business sectors, primarily in the fashion and media industries and has reaped huge dividends. His efforts o take the music from the streets to the airwaves was a resounding success. His contribution is still felt to date and has caused the immense wealth being displayed by the musicians. His business investment methods have been copied by heavyweights such as Jay Z, P Diddy and 50 Cent (vh1, 2007). Unfortunately, the freedom of expression promoted by hip-hop gave way to a negative expression channel, the use and glorification of violence, sex and drugs in lyrics. The demeaning use of women as sexual objects whose aim is to get pecuniary advantage from the rappers is a main concern. Ayanna (2008) states that: "images are shown to go along with a lot of the explicit lyrics that commonly contain name calling to suggest that women are not worth anything more than money, if that. Women are described as being only good for sexual relations by rappers who describe their life as being that of a pimp." This disrespect of women has had feminists on the rampage for years. Another vice promoted is the violence culture. The prolific growth of popularity of this culture is due to the exploitative use by record labels to make more bucks from their popularity. This phenomenon occurred during the 1990's when hip-hop became a cash cow and "gangsta rap" started. Real life "beef" was used to emotionally attach the listeners to the lyrical content. This was in contrast to the original message of hip hop, to distract youth from rowdy gang like behavior. One of the most famous incidents of violent exchange was the Biggy-Tupac feud, which resulted in both their deaths. We millionaires, killin ain't fair but somebody gotta do it Any of you n** from New York that wanna bring it, bring it. We gonna kill all you m*** (Tupac Shakur) This lyric sample taken from Tupac's song "We Hit 'Em Up" shows the extent of the hate that characterized their relationship. In this respect, I think these two; Biggie and Tupac were the most damaging influences in hip-hop. Their war sparked a nationwide Eastside vs. Westside rift that saw many killed and more rappers pick on the hate theme. This was again done more recently by 50 Cent and Ja Rule and the violence described is nothing short of horrifying (Brown, 2003). These trends have been used as a ploy to increase record sales and boost the popularity of the artiste(s). This worked in 50's favor and he has ended up becoming one of rap's richest artistes. The feud between Biggie and Tupac is long over but the trend they encouraged is yet to die. "Throughout history, music originating from America's Black communities has always had an accompanying subculture reflective of the political, social and economic conditions of the time. Rap is no different." (Davey, 1985) the political tone of rap has gained more resonance, especially in light of the recent presidential elections, due to the increased influence it has on both black and non-black youth. The elections in 2004 saw the advent of the use of hip-hop moguls to stir voter passion. P Diddy's "Vote or Die" campaign was testimony to this. The embrace it got from the celebrities enabled it stir a large number of young voters (Tucker, 2007). Dr. Benjamin Chavis said that the 2004 youth voter turn out was impressive and "We know, beyond the shadow of any doubt, the evolution of hip-hop culture helped to create that reality" (Reuters, 2008). True to his prediction, the just concluded polls outdid the previous record. The review of the just concluded polls shows that Obama's strategy to draw out young voters was greatly aided by the hip-hop heavyweights. They not only use their influence but also their wealth to carry the Obama campaign. The endorsement and musical praise that met this year's campaign were sometimes controversial but all the same helped. Ludacriss, in his song "Obama is here" goes all out to attack Bush and McCain in a controversial method. His sharp criticism was not endorsed by Obama but still got publicity even though controversial (Smith, 2008). The future of hip-hop is heavily commercial. In his song, "Hip Hop is Dead", Nas cites that the original aims of the movement have been lost to commercialization. He states: Everybody sound the same, commercialize the game Reminiscin' when it wasn't all business It forgot where it started So we all gather for the dearly departed (Nas) His concern is a reflection of the path the industry has taken. From its commercialization in the 90's, the hip-hop movement has been all about the money. From the lyrics, fashion, business strategies and property of the musicians, the trend has been"all about the paper ". This does not look like it is about to change soon (Jennings, 2007). Another future prospect is the use of the power to create political power. It is in my opinion, the power will increasingly be harnessed, now that more than ever before the youth have discovered their power at the ballot box (Tucker, 2007). The future of hip hop is, in short, tending towards a more commercial and political outfit. WORKS CITED Ayanna. The Exploitation of Women in Hip Hop Culture (December 8th, 2008). Retrieved on 9th December, 2008 from http://www.mysistahs.org/features/hiphop.htm Brown Ethan. Got Beef (24th November, 2003) New York Magazine. Retrieved on 9th December, 2008 from http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/features/n_9562/ Dave'Davey D'Cook. The History of Hip Hop (1985). Retrieved on 9th December, 2008 from http://www.daveyd.com/raptitle.html Jennings. Tom Hip Hop is Dead- Review (12th August, 2007). Retrieved on 9th December, 2008 from http://libcom.org/library/i-hip-hop-dead-i-nas-music-review-tom-jennings Nas. Hip Hop is Dead Metro Lyrics. Retrieved on 9th December, 2008 from http://www.metrolyrics.com/hiphop-is-dead-lyrics-nas.html Reuters. National Hip Hop Team Vote 2008 Campaign to be Launched in Pennsylvania Reuters (16th March, 2008). Retrieved on 9th December, 2008 from http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS73167+16-Mar-2008+BW20080316 Smith David. The Hip-hop President (17th November, 2008) The Scotsman. Retrieved on 9th December, 2008 from http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/features/The-hiphop-president.4699245.jp Tupac Shaku.r We Hit 'Em Up Sing 365. Retrieved on 9th December, 2008 from http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Hit'em-Up-lyrics-2Pac/B757BC52DA75DF394825686A002D928D Tucker Mary Louisa. Where Politics and Hip Hop Collide ( 14th, November, 2005). Retrieved on 9th December, 2008 from http://www.alternet.org/story/28118/page=3 vh1. Russel Simmons (2007). Retrieved on 9th December, 2008 from http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/simmons_russell/bio.jhtml Read More