What Is A Driving Force Behind Rap Music?

Music is an expression of one's thoughts, beliefs, and upbringing. The African music beliefs are that music must be functional and integrated into everyday life, music is not for the elite, and it is intertwined with the arts. When looking at the different genres in the United States, hip-hop is a genre that follows along these beliefs and was produced from these established values. The people sold during the slave trade would sing songs in the fields that would create a rhythm and functionality, while also raising morale. In modern times, those descendants are no longer enslaved physically but are oppressed systematically. The stories and tunes may have changed from generation to generation, but the purpose such as expression through music
A rapper named KRS-One once stated that "rap is something you do, hip-hop is something you live." (Krims) The rhythm kept by slaves in the field is the same beat that reigns in Africa that was seen in the FOLI rhythm project. The music is not simply a past-time, it is a part of life. It is a tool to help pace oneself when cutting down a tree, and it is a means to communicate information in a way it will be better received. There is an article discussing how there are plans to use hip-hop culture to promote academic literacy and produce discussions that increase conscientiousness in urban schools. (Morrell) In one unit, rap music was connected to poems such as "Still I Rise" and "O Me! O Life!" This music is functioning as a tool to understand that the issues and feelings of the past can still be traced in modern works. A Morehouse college student was given the opportunity to earn extra credit by creating a video discussing mitosis and meiosis. Julien Turner took this opportunity and created a rap to the tune of “XO Tour Llif3” by Lil Uzi Vert. This video went viral across several platforms including Twitter and Facebook. Music is not simply a means of entertainment but also education. Age range or region does not limit hip-hop culture’s reach of influence and accessibility. In truth, hip-hop culture is not for elite, it was produced by the poor for the
Hip-hop is one form of expression that follows all three African values closely. Music continues to be useful in daily life whether that be to educate the youth or to booth morale at work. Additionally, rhythm and music are something that people connect to from the older generations who still play Run-D.M.C. to the younger generation that blast Chance the Rapper. There is no age or fiscal requirement required to be able enjoy this genre. Hip-hop is attached to a cultural movement that occurred throughout the 1980s and 1990s. It took the sound and placed a narrative on top to get some traction and dance styles formed to match. The various styles such as breaking, popping, and hip-hop social dancing follow the rhythm allowing the arts to intertwine. Overall, African culture’s sound and beliefs have transferred well into American hip-hop and allows its descendants to continue to feel connected to their