What about Hip-Hop?
Hip-hop music has had a very strong impact on the music industry. In recent years however, there has been an argument whether or not that impact has made a positive or negative effect on generations from the past, present and future to come.
There has been discussion about whether or not hip-hop music is destroying or developing the minds of younger generations. Hip-hop music, formally known as rap music, has existed in the United States since the mid-1970s. The music consists of rapping, sampling, scratching, and beat-boxing all with the use of a DJ. The first hip-hop recording was established by The Sugarhill Gang, “Rappers Delight” in 1979. By the next year, all the major elements and techniques of the hip-hop genre were in place; though not fully established hip-hop had expanded outside of New York City, its place of origin. It had diverse into numerous cites such as Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Dallas, Kansas City, San Antonio, Miami, Seattle, St. Louis, New Orleans and Toronto. With its expansion it developed many different forms such as new school hip-hop, crunk music and snap hip-hop.
Hip-hop music has many different effects on everyone to listens or judges it. It promotes thought and creativity and awareness of today’s world. It doesn’t hide or “sugar coat” anything. It has a reputation of “keeping it real.” It fuels protest and calls attention to injustice while celebrating ordinary life. Hip hop creates and sustains community in the larger popular culture particularly for youth of color who are still marginalized in American culture, neighborhoods and the public school system. Lately it seems to have lost the respect it once had. Artist such as Nas write a song entitled, Nigger. Not only did the title of the song produce uproar but the message was just as powerful. It shocked people, made them think, and most importantly, defined what hip-hop is all about. It’s a genre of music that help created the African...