Music Genres Explained: Hip Hop

Music genres are important. Us humans like order. We like to put things into boxes so they make sense to us. And we like to use these boxes to help us form an identity ourselves. That’s why music genres are so important. 

From the soul-stirring melodies of classical compositions to the electrifying beats of hip-hop, each genre offers a unique sonic journey filled with history, culture, and innovation. 

We already have a wrap up on what genre is, and a deep dive into pop and rock, so now it’s time to look at the world of hip hop. 

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What is hip hop?

Hip hop reportedly originated in the 1970s and gained widespread popularity in the 1980s/90s, not only as a genre but also as a cultural movement. It is most often characterised by a strong rhythmic beat and a rapping vocal track, and hip hop culture is often built on four main pillars: DJing, rapping (also known as MCing), breakdancing (usually called breaking or b-boying), and graffiti. 

From its roots in street parties and block parties to topping the charts and dominating the airwaves, hip hop has proven itself to be more than just a genre—it's a way of life.

Hip hop, like other genres, has birthed many subgenres including trap, gangsta rap, rap rock, grime, mumble rap, and Latin hip hop. 

One of the most compelling aspects of hip hop is its ability to serve as a platform for marginalised voices to be heard. From the early pioneers like Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa to modern-day icons such as Kendrick Lamar and Cardi B, hip hop has provided a voice for those who have been silenced by society. Whether addressing issues of racism, poverty, or political injustice, hip hop has served as a vehicle for social change, challenging the status quo and inspiring movements for equality and justice.

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The sound

Some suggest that hip hop music can be broken down into three elements:

1. The beat: A strong, rhythmic beat is arguably the strongest unifying factor in the genre. Beat-making in hip hop can often be complex and varied, and it doesn’t matter if it’s aggressive, relaxed, fast or slow, as long as the beat carries the song steadily forward and provides a strong backing track for the vocals.
2. Vocals: The majority of hip-hop songs incorporate rapping as their main vocal style - a rhythmic, usually rhymed type of chant that interplays with the beat. Other vocal styles include singing, spoken word, autotune, and ad-libs.
3. Breaks: A break is a long instrumental break in a song. This was more popular in the early years of hip hop, but some modern songs often include breaks to reference the genre’s roots and encourage dancing. 

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The history 

Hip hop saw its roots in the New York City Bronx in the 1970s, starting as a way to bring Black, Latinx and Caribbean American youth together at parties. The NYC DJs like DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa were often credited as pioneers of modern hip hop and rap music, using different techniques during these parties and improvising. 

In 1979, hip-hop trio the Sugarhill Gang released what is now widely considered the first hip-hop record, “Rapper’s Delight,” which reached the top 40 on the US Billboard charts and propelled hip-hop into the spotlight—making hip-hop a full-fledged genre.

In 1984, several hip-hop albums—especially from artists Run-DMC, LL Cool J, and the Beastie Boys - introduced what became called “new school hip-hop.” This style was characterised by drum machine beats, minimalism, shorter songs (which were more radio-friendly), and socio-political commentary. This was followed in the late 1980s and early 1990s with mainstream success by artists like The Notorious B.I.G, Snoop Dogg and MC Hammer. 

In 1995, the Grammys added a new award category for Best Rap Album; it was awarded for the first time to Naughty by Nature.

In the modern day, the rise of streaming and social media allowed for an explosion of artists and experimentation, with artists like Kanye West, Cardi B, Travis Scott, 21 Savage and Megan Thee Stallion rising to fame. The genre just seems to be gaining momentum over time, and evolving successfully. 

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Identifiable hip hop artists 

Here are a few more examples of well known hip hop artists.

According to YouGov, the top 5 most famous hip hop and rap artists are:

1. Kanye West

2. Eminem

3. Ice Cube

4. Jay Z

5. 50 Cent

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Real life application

One of the richest and most prominent features of hip hop is the art of sampling and beat making. Sampling refers to the way that producers such as J Dilla, MF Doom and other pioneers of the genre took records (predominantly from Jazz and Soul) and chopped them up to create new sound worlds - like LEGO blocks. By using these samples and flipping them into something new, a lot of hip hop (particularly from the 90s) creates a tone that is rugged and familiar. Given that the ‘beats’ underpinning hip hop are so integral to the DNA of the genre, and coupled with the fact that many tracks are peppered with explicit content, these instrumentals can safeguard against any offensive content whilst adding a suitable texture to the atmosphere of rustic, late night bars, for example. 

- Magnus, Startle's Music Consultant

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