A brief history of Hip-Hop
New school hip-hop was created in 1983-1984. It was very influenced by rock music. The songs were shorter in order to gain radio play.
Then, gangsta rap was created (political rap). Their lyrics started to focus on the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths.
Hip-hop became a best-selling music genre in the 1990s and the top selling music genre by 1999. Its popularity continued growing, even influencing other genres such as pop.
Hip-hop was created in the early 1970s in New York City by African American youth residing in the Bronx.
During the 1980s, hip-hop music began to spread through dozens of countries.
Hip-hop is not the synonym for rap music as many people think. Hip-hop is a whole culture whereas rap is only a part that has been developed from this culture. Rapping is not a required element of hip-hop music.
The hip-hop culture is defined by four elements: MCing/rapping, DJing/scratching, break dancing and graffiti. Other important elements are sampling and beatboxing.
