Four Elements of Hip-Hop

1. Four Elements of Hip-Hop By Brandon McCullough

2. Hip Hop • There are 4 major parts to Hip-Hop. Mc-ing/Rapping , Dj-ing/Scratching , Break Dancing , And Graffiti Writing. • Rapping isn’t the same as hip hop. The term is used loosely rapping is not a required component of hip hop music; the genre may also incorporate other elements of hip hop culture, including DJ-ingand scratching, beat-boxing, and instrumentals. • There are a couple factors in the culture not commonly expressed like Beat Boxing. Which is used for the lack of good percussions at the time in instrumentation.

3. Dj-ing • Hip hop as music and culture formed during the 1970s when block parties became increasingly popular in New York. • Dj Cool Herc is considered the father of Hip Hop. Because he didn’t use the traditional style of one Turntable to break down the songs. • Turntablist techniques such as scratching beat mixing and/or matching, and beat juggling - eventually developed along with the breaks, creating a base that could be rapped over.

4. Break Dancing • Known as B-boying or breaking. Invented/Made Popular in the Bronx, New York. Mid-Late 1970’s B-Boy Groups where 90% African American The other 10% Latin Americans. • DJ KoolHerc and Bronx-based DJs would take the rhythmic breakdown sections (also known as the "breaks") of dance records and prolong them by looping them successively. The break beat provided a rhythmic base that allowed dancers to display their improvisational skills during the duration of the break.  • Eventually this led to what the Hip-Hop community called Cyphers. Basically this is a Circle of Performers and spectators using their dance moves to battle one another. The better the creativity the easier it was to win.

5. Graffiti • The relationship between graffiti and hip hop culture arises both from early graffiti artists engaging in other aspects of hip hop culture. • Graffiti is understood as a visual expression of rap music, just as breaking is viewed as a physical expression. Graffiti remains part of hip hop, while crossing into the mainstream art world with renowned exhibits in galleries throughout the world. • Graffiti was at its peak from the 1960’s-1980’s. From the New York Subways artists expressed themselves and used this as life's canvas.

6. Rapping/Mc-ing(Emceeing) • This is the Lyrical or Vocal aspect to Hip-Hop. As of the early 90’s easily becoming the most popular. Spoken word and poems dominated the Rapping Era during the Early 80’s. • Street performers would have local Djs set up on any given block and they would either go acapella or rhyme to the breakdowns by the DJs. • During the Late 80’s The Generic Style of the Spoken word was to common. Complex Rap styles began to form in the 5 Boroughs of New York. With each own city developing a style to express their lifestyles Brooklyn, Bronx, Harlem, Queens, and Manhattan have set the tone for many flows in Hip-Hop.

7. Mc-Ing (East Coast) • East Coast artist are known for their lyrical ability since the Mc-ing began. They are usually praised for the superiority in using a difficult tool known as the Double Entendre. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OVNXTkV414) • (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ttTJuWDqJo) East coast Artists are known by multi-syllabic rhymes, complex wordplay, a continuous free-flowing delivery and intricate metaphors. • These Styles of Rap dominated Hip-Hop from the 80’s Till Mid 90’s. The 90’s are known as the Golden Age of Hip Hop. The Lyrics and Music wasn’t mainstream and the craft didn’t go commercialized and turn into Pop garbage until the 2000’s hit. • The Double Entendre was only mastered By the “ Four Kings of Hip Hop”

8. Four Kings

9. Mc-ing (West Coast) • Some believe that the five elements of Hip Hop culture, which include B-Boying, beat boxing, DJing, Graffiti Art, and MCing, existed on the East and West Coasts of the United States simultaneously during the mid-seventies. • West Coast style of Rap incorporated the Spoken Word and Story Telling. But in the 80’s-90’s Gang Banging Was at its peak. Just like in New York it was Graffiti. Gang Banging Had an influence on the style switch from poetic Lyrics To the Style of Rap known as Gangsta Rap. During The Golden Age it reigned supreme and almost put the existence of East Coast Styles out. While being less lyrical the West Coast got the same points across but the sounds from the instrumentation where something you can party to unlike its East Coast counterpart. • From Gangsta Rap (like all styles ) it gave birth to a new style of Rap known as Political Rap.

10. Political Rap • When it comes to Political Rap Tupac should be at the top of your list. It’s a is a sub-genre of Hip Hop music that developed in the 1980s. • This Style focuses on social issues basically being the voice of the people who cant get their opinions heard. Mostly attack politicians and global issues governments choose to ignore. Topics usually include Racism, Money, Poverty, Section 8 Ghettos, Miss-use of power from police men, and Stories of Murder. • Tupac was the last Political Rapper who actually was successful with this style its usually brushed off and doesn’t get radio play because of the truth behind the lyrics and harsh lyrics showing the people reality. Goals behind this style where to motivate the youth, peoples the songs pertain to, and deliver a message. • Ideals of Science Vs. Religion is another topic among this style and the people who use it. These artists use a lot of subliminal messages the listener might not be able to pick up on without listening in depth. Which is why this style is almost dead and not commonly used like it once was because its not in demand no one cares about these issues anymore. • Until Ab-Soul!!!

11. Ab-Soul

12. Ab-Soul • Born Herbert Anthony Stevens IV February 23, 1987 in Carson , CA. • He is ¼ of the rap group known as Black Hippy or T.D.E ( Top Dawg Ent) his Group Members being Kendrick Lamar , SchoolBoyQ , And Jay Rock. • Ab-Soul Uses the Political Style to Voice his opinions of several subjects that are going on in the world as we speak. Many theories scientists have come across some artist would never talk about it isn't a subject he wont explore regardless of the truth behind it a simple what if to him is a possibility. He uses the Double Entendre on a level that no person under 30 has since Jay-z and Eminem. • At the age of 10, Ab-Soul contracted Stevens–Johnson syndrome which caused him to be hospitalized and is the origin of his dark lips and light sensitive eyes. • http://youtu.be/sZ_kBQWsmvg