Music has been around since the beginning of civilization. Music was used to tell myths, religious stories, and warrior tales. Since the beginning of civilization music has greatly progressed. Music still tells a story, we now just have many genres to satisfy the cultural and social tastes of our modern society. Hip Hop is one genre that has significantly grown the last couple of decades.
The definition of Hip Hop is an urban youth culture associated with rap music and the fashions of African-American residents of the inner city. For many youth, Hip Hop reflects the social, economic and cultural realities and conditions of their daily lives. This style of music originated in the South Bronx area of New York City in the late 1970's. What started off as entertainment at block parties, has now became so much more.
The Sugarhill Gang released the song "Rappers Delight" in 1979, which became the first hip-hop song to receive national radio play in the U.S. Hip Hop has changed a lot over the years however. Hip Hop is now a part of the mainstream music scene. It is not uncommon to see artist from different genres collaborating with Hip Hop artists. It is also not uncommon to see Hip Hop music and culture in movies, television shows, and commercials. In the past you would only see people from ethnic communities wearing Hip Hop clothing, now all races including Asian, Caucasian, etc. have accepted the Hip Hop style.
I'd say most people do have a preconceived notion about this style of music and that being it is all hateful, demeaning or just plain nasty. However, in 1985, Stephen Wiley gave them another angle to consider. Mr. Wiley, the first artist to have recorded a full-length Christian rap album, released "Bible Break". Its title track also reached the No. 14 spot in 1986 on Christian radio. The now fifty-seven year old is the Founder and Pastor of Praise Center Family Church in Muskogee, Oklahoma...