Why Is Hip Hop Culture So Unique?
The 1970s was a period of political neglect towards the downward spiral of struggling urban areas after multiple resistance movements against the Vietnam war and the fight for civil rights among races. States such as New York, particularly the city Bronx (mainly south Bronx), was on the verge of collapsing. In reaction, Hip Hop Culture blossomed from the mounds of wreckage on August 11, 1973 thanks to DJ Kool Herc.
What is Hip Hop? What makes it so unique? Here remains a longstanding debate about what Hip Hop culture represents, the underlying message is this “when presented with a lack of education and occupational opportunities, these rappers forge their own paths by turning this disadvantage into entertainment. They write and sell songs about poverty, street life, and crime.” (Hess) Hip-hop is taking what you got and turning it into something greater to make a social or political statement. Perhaps it’s a form of escape better yet, it’s a form of self-expression that others can relate to. Hip Hop isn’t about what kind of …show more content…
Melle Mel worked on songs against drug use like “white lines (Don’t do it)”. In addition, he also worked on “The Message” which is a song featured in the movie “Happy Feet” lyrics featured in the song “It’s like a jungle sometimes/ It makes me wonder how I keep from going under” and “died so young” which compare the streets to a jungle. Unfortunately, it’s a harsh reality that the youth die early due to imprisonment or gang violence. During this time, many DJs and MCs were using Fuck and Disco tracks, but rappers Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay “bridged the old school with the new school” (DMC) by incorporating rock records and reggae into their music. In response, Hip Hop began to take on a harder form that extended their influence to unlikely audiences. In fact, Run D.M.C was the first rap group to be on American bandstand and reach Gold
What is Hip Hop? What makes it so unique? Here remains a longstanding debate about what Hip Hop culture represents, the underlying message is this “when presented with a lack of education and occupational opportunities, these rappers forge their own paths by turning this disadvantage into entertainment. They write and sell songs about poverty, street life, and crime.” (Hess) Hip-hop is taking what you got and turning it into something greater to make a social or political statement. Perhaps it’s a form of escape better yet, it’s a form of self-expression that others can relate to. Hip Hop isn’t about what kind of …show more content…
Melle Mel worked on songs against drug use like “white lines (Don’t do it)”. In addition, he also worked on “The Message” which is a song featured in the movie “Happy Feet” lyrics featured in the song “It’s like a jungle sometimes/ It makes me wonder how I keep from going under” and “died so young” which compare the streets to a jungle. Unfortunately, it’s a harsh reality that the youth die early due to imprisonment or gang violence. During this time, many DJs and MCs were using Fuck and Disco tracks, but rappers Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay “bridged the old school with the new school” (DMC) by incorporating rock records and reggae into their music. In response, Hip Hop began to take on a harder form that extended their influence to unlikely audiences. In fact, Run D.M.C was the first rap group to be on American bandstand and reach Gold