AllHipHop Center of New Docuseries by Quincy Jones III

Hip-Hop has grown into a vast youth culture that has produced generations of artists who have applied the aesthetic innovations of their genre to other genres.

Over the last couple of years, traditional fans of Hip Hop have welcomed evolution and innovation as essential aspects to its development. However, they also encountered conflict and confusion from more progressive elements within the culture.

The History of Hip-Hop

Hip-hop has seen tremendous growth since its inception in the 1970s, becoming a global phenomenon and significant force within American popular culture. From dance to fashion to politics, rap artists have had an immense impact on all aspects of everyday life in America.

Hip-hop's roots lie in African American, Afro-Caribbean, and Latino urban communities that experienced poverty, gangs, and drugs during the 1960s and '70s. Youths banded together to use music and dancing as a form of resistance against violence. The first form of hip-hop emerged from street parties - community gatherings that often featured DJs playing soul or funk music.

New York City DJs such as Kool Herc began experimenting with different techniques, such as longer percussive breaks (known as "breakbeats") that encouraged dancing. These sounds would eventually form the basis of hip-hop music.

Hip-hop draws influence from various genres such as funk, disco, soul and jazz. Ultimately it is a style of rap that incorporates lyrics, percussion instruments and vocal styles. Common elements include strong rhythmic beats, vocalizations or chants and short percussive breaks.

Hip-hop's exact origins remain uncertain, but it is widely believed to have started in the Bronx, New York City in the late '70s when DJ Kool Herc first used a DJ setup to manipulate and playback music's beats.

Hip-hop was heavily influenced by Jamaican reggae music, particularly Bob Marley and Peter Tosh's work; plus beatbox pioneers Doug E Fresh and Slick Rick, all of which helped shape its sound.

During the 1980s, hip-hop music gained mainstream acceptance due to artists like Run DMC and LL Cool J. These artists revolutionized the genre, adding elements such as breakbeats and freestyle rapping into their performances.

In the '90s, hip-hop groups across America experienced a meteoric rise - particularly on the West coast. This spurred an array of artists, mixtapes and experimental sounds; many of the greatest hip-hop songs from this era were produced by underground record labels by unpopular or undervalued artists who weren't widely supported by major radio stations.

The Origins of Hip-Hop

Hip-hop is a musical genre and cultural movement born out of the United States in the 1970s. It has since spawned various styles and influences music around the world with its blend of rhythm, dance, and fashion elements.

Hip-hop began in the Bronx of New York City, where young people were faced with urban decay and poverty. To combat these issues, they created their own cultures combining music, dancing, and visual art.

Hip-hop music began as a melting pot of Latin and Caribbean traditions mixed with elements from disco, funk, and soul. DJs like Kool Herc would mix percussive fragments from older records with popular dance songs to foster improvisational dancing and rapping.

In the mid-70s, rappers began crafting lyrics with social and political undertones. They delivered rapid-fire lines through handheld microphones while performing gravity-defying dance steps to demonstrate their ideas.

Rapping and MCing became a national sensation as these artists expressed their feelings about society's challenges - from poverty to racial discrimination and violence - through their lyrics.

Hip-hop music gained worldwide acclaim during the 1980s, becoming one of the most popular forms of music worldwide. It remains an integral part of American culture today.

Its roots can be traced back to African American music and traditional West African music, particularly griot music. Additionally, it draws inspiration from jazz and soul music with call-and-response patterns similar to those employed during religious ceremonies in both Africa and the Caribbean.

Hip-hop began in New York City during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The first hip-hop single was released by The Sugarhill Gang in 1979, which quickly went viral and propelled the style into widespread acceptance.

By the turn of the millennium, there had developed a rivalry between East Coast and West Coast hip-hop artists. This tension was further compounded by New York artists' access to more media coverage and public recognition than those from other parts of America.

The Evolution of Hip-Hop

Hip-hop is a genre of music that began in New York City during the 1970s as an outlet for African American and Afro-Caribbean youth to express themselves. Since then, it has become one of the world's most beloved genres, continuing to shape culture as it evolves.

DJing, rapping and breakdancing have come together to form a form of music that transcends mere beats and rhymes. Furthermore, it has an underlying social message which sets it apart from other genres.

Hip-hop's evolution is a complex process, driven by several factors such as the rise of different artists and subgenres, record labels and music distribution companies, plus streaming services and internet distribution.

As the culture expanded, more musicians and producers joined the scene and developed their own styles of music. This resulted in the emergence of distinct subgenres like trap, mumble rap and grime.

Hip-hop was also revolutionized by new artists and producers from around the world who brought their unique sounds. Equipped with advanced drum machines and samplers, these artists could experiment with unique sounds and techniques.

Hip-hop experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity throughout the 1990s, becoming not only the top selling genre in America but also one of the world's most recognized forms.

Dancehall can be traced back to the 1970s and '80s, when it began as an underground movement in South Bronx of New York City. DJ Kool Herc's inventive work in extending breaks on popular records provided dancers with more opportunities to show off their moves.

Hip-hop was defined by its lyrical content, which ranged from rhythmic chants to metaphorical poetry. Artists such as Melle Mel, KRS-One and Rakim played an influential role in developing the art of rapping and writing.

Hip-hop's style evolved from the gangster themes prevalent in earlier albums to encompass a wider array of cultural and social concerns, such as drug abuse, sexuality, relationships and lifestyles.

The Future of Hip-Hop

Hip-hop is experiencing more excitement and relevance than it has in years. While some still dismiss it as a genre of lame gangsta poses, silly David Guetta collaborations, and Dappy wearing his dickhead hat, hip-hop is actually making a comeback.

Experts predict a breakthrough year for hip hop in 2020. With new talent joining the scene and an uptick in interest from regional scenes due to technological advancements, experts believe 2020 will be an exciting time for fans everywhere.

Rap's future lies with women, as this year Billboard's albums chart will begin counting YouTube plays as part of its rankings - an important development for artists who have built their careers on video platforms and social media.

Experts predict that in 2020 there will be an uptick in artists taking a melodic approach to their music. This is partly due to Young Thug and Future's success, who have found a niche market who prefer singing along to their songs instead of listening to lyric-based rappers like Drake or Lil Uzi Vert.

However, some fans worry that this trend could take an unfavorable turn. After all, how could a generation of rappers that was raised listening to lyrics be suddenly turned off by an industry that has long been dominated by vocally-driven artists?

One way to combat this is by supporting artists who use their voice more authentically. This requires taking a less conventional approach to rap, and it also means they will likely release music with powerful messages.

Another way to consider the future of rap is from its past. In its early years, hip-hop served as an instrument to express the grievances of those left behind. This powerful force has been able to unite different communities and foster a sense of cultural belonging.

In the future, more artists will turn to hip-hop as a vehicle for social justice. This is especially true with regards to hip-hop feminism which is challenging gender power dynamics and showing that it's possible to be both a feminist and successful rapper. This new wave of artists not only continues to challenge existing norms but also helps foster an environment which celebrates diversity and innovation.