Essay about Rap as a language

If we look back at the origins of hip hop it is clear that rap began as a form of expression that allowed black people to stand up to prejudice. The soul that hip hop music communicates is rooted in oppression and marginalization from white people as far back as slavery, to the long time fight for freedom and equality. Hip hop is a

In this essay, I will be informing you, as the reader on the evolution of Hip-Hop/Rap. The key points will be where it is today, how this genre of music is not only used as music; but is used as communication to connect with the listeners, how it affects people; physically, mentally and psychologically. In other words, I will be addressing where it was created and how it is used to speak and communicate with the listeners.

Within History, Rap has been considered the “CNN for black people”; what started as a way to express struggles in the ghettos of New York has transformed into one of the most popular genres of music in America. The popularity of rap has allowed many to have their voices heard, created new fashion trends, and even developed popular modern slang used by people throughout the world. The commercialization of rap has resulted in a significant following of the culture in America but also a large number of people who oppose the music. The culture of rap music has a substantial impact on popular culture in America, and by using an open mind and looking past the violence and language, people can better understand the meaning behind rap and the perception that follows it in America today.

KRS One once said, "Rap is something you do, Hip-Hop is something you live." The difference between how Hip-Hop is portrayed (rap) and what the Hip-Hop movement is, is that Hip-Hop is a lifestyle but the Hip-Hop we see on television is a media creation. We have to look at hip-hop as a whole culture and rap as something that comes out of it. Although Hip-Hop was originated by a mostly Negro constituency, it has evolved since its creation into a "worldwide forum through which family, community, social and political grievances" (HHC) can be voiced through various art forms. Today, the Hip-Hop movement (if looked at as it's meant to be looked at) plays a very positive role throughout the political and social spectrums in America, and is

Ever since it became popular in the late eighties, hip-hop music has been a target of moral disapproval. Many critics have labeled the music as an offensive, vulgar, misogynist form of expression, which negatively influences its listeners, particularly children. Early in rap music's' development "concerned citizens" and various government officials held protests against the release of certain rap albums. Rap music's opponents demanded strict censorship. But hip-hop was increasingly attracting large audiences and its supporters were ready to fight the censors who they believed were taking away their constitutional right of freedom of speech, and the freedom of the urban black culture to express

The kids who started it were simply trying to find ways to pass the time; they were trying to have fun. But they grew up under the politics of abandonment and because of this, their pastimes contained the seeds for a kind of mass cultural renewal…hip hoppers literally mapped onto the consciousness of the world a place and an identity for themselves as the originators of an exciting new art form they created value out of races and places that had seemed to offer only devastation.” (BBC) This is why when whites entered the rap scene, there was and still is backlash from the black community. Hip-hop is the essence of the ghetto, and the majority of whites do not know the lifestyle that fueled the music.

In contrast to MC Lyte and Latifah’s rugged style and demeanor, Salt-n-Pepa displayed their femininity in a non-pornographic, yet sensual manner that complimented their feminist rhymes. The all-female rap crew helped to pave the way for women in hip hop. “Tramp,” “Push it” and “Shoop” are songs that encouraged their pro-feminist lyrics that advocated sexual liberation and women independence. “Shoop” revealed how female rappers were able flip the script on male rappers, permitting the men to presume the role as the prey (sex objects) and the women to be the predator. Their “fly girl (Keyes 269)” image, made Salt-n-Pepa more socially acceptable for women to be sexually expressive without being explicit.

Hip hop made it to the top so fast white people had no choice to endorse it. It was huge to the point everyone wanted to rap. At the time gangsta rap ruled but at the risk it gave idea to the middle aged adults to start inappropriately which is what made others so stereotypical toward black african americans. Hip hop has its flaws because it causes violent behavior

Hip hop and rap as a musical genre is a very controversial subject for nearly everyone. Its influences are powerful, both positive and negative. There are many positive influences of hip hop, and a few examples are the breaking down of cultural barriers, the economic impact, and political awareness of pressing and urgent issues. Though there are many positive influences, there are many negative influences as well. Some of the more heated debates of the negative influences of hip hop are that it glorifies violence, and the fact that the music sexualizes women and degrades them as well. Attached to the negative outlook on hip hop, there are also many stereotypes assumed by society towards this type of culture

The following is an excerpt from Black Noise, a book written by Tricia Rose, that describes the importance and background of rap music in society.

Hip hop has gone a far way since the 1980s. in the year 2016, hip hop is considered popular and many people, no matter the color of your skin or where you come from are seen listening to Hip Hop. I personally believe that hip hop has become more acceptable in our society. Often time in these songs they discuss about politics, love, issues, many problems that people can relate to and have a connection with someone. However, there are those artists that are seen in the category similar to “Gangsta Rap” and those are still present in 2016. Therefore, our perception of hip hop has changed since the 1970s/80s.

When I think of Rap and Hip Hop, to me they are pretty much the same thing so I use them interchangeably. This genre of music has been a staple within the black community as a way to freely express themselves not only creatively but also politically. Hip hop began in the 1970s as a result of the overwhelming creativity, restrained energy, and the lack of outlets for local youth in impoverished areas; “Rap music is an externalization of highly charged inner feelings shared commonly by young black people. It is the cultural manifestation of this epoch in the pristine history of Black people. It is both old and new, old because it is one with the black man’s existence; new, because it is fresh and contemporary. There is an inner need to express something new and exciting, outrageous and engaging.” (Spady, 637). The main concept behind hip hop was to unite people to showcase talents and become an outlet for inventiveness to combat the alternative path choice to gang violence. This genre of music was key to bringing the youth of the Bronx and surrounding and neighboring areas closer to express artistic creativity. As time passed, hip hop has evolved and grown into the culture that it is now. Not surprisingly, it did not take long for the hip hop genre to become one of the most popular genres of music in the United States. There are various components that make up hip hop when it first started out; for example breakdancing, freestyling, MCing and DJing. Hip hop has exceeded its

Hip Hop is probably the fastest growing forms of music that has taken the world and the media by storm. What started in the Bronx as a hobby for some young African Americans and Latinos quickly became a distinct culture that broke barriers. Hip Hop created a culture that is so controversial and diverse, that many people in politics tried to bring it down. At the same time, many fought to keep it going and intent on proving that there are many positives that have come out of this type of music. Is Hip Hop looked down on because of its use of vulgar language and misogynistic views? Some argue since its arrival it has been nothing but trouble and others applaud Hip Hop as a masterpiece that came from the young minds of today’s urban generation. Sometimes when society has to deal with something new, they see the negative more, even though the positive is more obvious. Although, there are many positive characteristics of Hip Hop, mainstream media would rather focus on the negative and distort the many positives that Hip Hop has contributed to the world.

The most popular and influential form of African-American pop music of the 1980's and 1990's, rap is also one of the most controversial styles of the rock era. And not just among the guardians of cultural taste and purity that have always been counted among rock 'n' roll's chief enemies--Black, White, rock and soul audiences continue to fiercely debate the musical and social merits of rap, whose most radical innovations subverted many of the musical and cultural tenets upon which rock was built. Antecedents of rap are easy to find in rock with other kinds of music. Music is often used to tell a story, often with spoken rhymes over instruments and rhythms. Talking blues, spoken passages of sanctified prose in gospel,

     Imagine an inner city kid having grown u in an environment where real life street violence is a way of life. His body, having survived personal experiences of violence, endured barely life sustained conditions, and many sleepless nights caused by the constant yet unpredictable call of death. His mind doubtful over where his next meal will come from, lost in search of some higher guidance, struggling through a world, not of innocent childish fantasies, but trapped in a forced reality. His only outlet is the loud blaring music coddling his already pent-up rage, an escape from these harsh realities, seducing him to a life of violence. In him is created a “me against the world” mentality that is manifested in