The Hip-Hop Culture

Paper Summary:

The paper explains that hip-hop music, or rap, is a rhythmic language and is a 'self-expressive' form of musical artistry. The paper shows how hip-hop provides a political, social, community and ethnic forum in which the many diverse world events, politics and social problems can be addressed. The paper points out that hip-hop was generally a musical pursuit of the urban environments of larger cities, but today hip-hop is widespread in terms of those who listen daily to hip-hop music. The paper warns that by the older generation labeling this music culture as 'bad,' they have simultaneously insured the interest in the hip-hop artistry.

Outline:
Objective
Thesis
Background of the Study
Methodology
Data Analysis/Collection
Literature Review
History of Hip Hop
Roots of Modern Day Hip Hop
Rap-A Form of Self-Expression
Hip Hop-Direct Response to an Older Generation's Rejection of Values and Needs of Young People
Bakiri-Conscious Hip Hop?
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In the earlier days of hip-hop the recitations of the popular sayings and slang of the days transformed to a "more elaborate" form with the adding to and twisting of rhymes making them "suitable to the party environment." Initially, rap was known as "emceeing". The first rap music emcee team was Kool Herc and the Herculoids. (D'Cook, 1985) Rap is said to have "caught on because it was for young urban New Yorkers a change to freely express themselves." (D'Cook, 1985) The rap art was accessible to all. One didn't need money, resources, or lessons to rhyme and as rapping was a verbal skill it could be practiced and perfected and "at almost any time."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Gallien, Louis B., Jr. (2006) Keeping It Real: Hip-Hop Culture and the Framing of Values for Contemporary African-American Students Journal of College and Character Vol.3 2006 Online available at:http://www.collegevalues.org/articles.cfm?id=753&a=1
• Younge, Gary (2003) NYPD Moves to a New Beat - One Stop English Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2003 www.onestpenglish.com.
• D' Cook Dave'Davey (1985) The History of Hip-Hop Online available at: http://www.daveyd.com/raptitle.html.
• Uno, Roberta (2004)"Hip-hop culture confronts the theatre and asks, "where to go, beyond the borders of outreach and audience-development?" The first part in a series on the convergence of hip-hop and theatre.(The 5th Element)(Cover Story) American Theatre 4.1.2004.
• McNair, Janis (2003) Rap Music and Street Consciousness: A ReviewBakari, Akil II (2002) Is There Room for Conscious Hip-Hop? August 6, 2002. Global Black News Online available at: http://www.globalblacknews.com/conscious-hiphop_BA.html.

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