Hip Hop: The Method of Expression

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From the impoverished section of Bronx, New York arose a youth culture that spread throughout the community like wild fire. Within the gang-ridden, drug-infested streets, a depravation of creativity forced underprivileged African American youths onto the streets in search of an output for their imagination. It was within these streets that hip-hop appeared as the product of independence, self-realization, creativity, and pride. Hip-hop began between the transformations from the late 1960’s to the early 1970’s. It was during this time period, when the former gangs of the late sixties developed into the posses and crews of the early seventies. When former gang territories became perfect locations for block parties and outdoor jams. Prior gang warfare transformed into hard-hitting competitions between DJs as well as MCs, joined by numerous male and female street dancers, and the colorful artistic representations of graffiti artists. Who started this movement? A man by the name of Clive Campbell, also known as DJ Kool Herc, was the spark that ignited the fire, for he developed the basis of hip-hop by structuring it around the Jamaican tradition of toasting-impromptu: proud poetry and dialogue over music in which he observed as a child in Jamaica (Chang). In addition to the influential styles of Jamaica, were the instrumental elements of disco. According to Kurtis Blow, hip-hop appeared as “a direct response to the watered down, Europeanized, disco music that permeated the airwaves” (David D.). For instance, much of early hip-hop was predominately based on hard disco and funk loops, giving it the name of disco rap. Although, Clive Campbell initiated the hip-hop movement, it was known as disco rap until Keith Cowboy, rapp... ... middle of paper ... ...roduced to help diminish gang activity and drug use. Works Cited Chang, Jeff. Can't Stop, Won't Stop: a History of the Hip-hop Generation. New York: Picador, 2006. Print. D., David. "The History Of Hip Hop Pg 8." Davey D's Hip Hop Corner-Where Hip Hop & Politics Meet. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. . "Dr. Renford R. Reese's Homepage." Cal Poly Pomona. Web. 17 Mar. 2011. . "Hip Hop." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 17 Mar. 2011. . "Rapping | Define Rapping at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Free Online Dictionary for English Definitions. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. . Schloss, Joesph. Foundation: B-boys, B-girls and Hip-hop Culture in New York. New York, NY: Oxford UP Inc, Usa, 2009. Print.

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