Hip-Hop: It Is MusicEssay Preview: Hip-Hop: It Is MusicReport this essayMusic is ones expression of life from their point of view. It becomes unique as it is based upon individual experiences of satisfaction and failure throughout life. Popular music is often defined as it has the broadest appeal to the maximum number of people. Hip-Hop began its rise to fame and fortune during the late 1970s. It would come to represent the youth of America as seen with this comment by Todd Elliot: “For many young people – regardless of race, color or economic standing, hip-hop culture is the voice of their often misunderstood and misinterpreted generation – a voice that, up until now, was generally ignored”. As it gained power and people garnered the fear of the unknown they began to attack Hip-hops character. The expression of a unique individual from the inner city defined as hip-hop is a legitimate form of music and shouldnt be disapproved of for the struggle that it represents.
Hip-hop music is an original form of art crafted from the integration of phrases that rhyme and rhythm focused beats. It first began during the early 1970s in New York City with the African-Americans and Latinos. Being featured at block parties, it offered a way of escape from the bigotry and stereotyping that was taking place by mainstream America. Hip-hop was embraced quickly, with the first national rap record coming in 1979 by the “Sugarhill Gang”. This record debuted at 13 on the Billboard R&B chart and paved for the culture that would change the world. In the early 1980s, hip-hop began to take its initial stride towards mainstream acceptance with the likes of “Run-DMC”, “Kurtis Blow”, and “LL Cool J” all appearing on the Billboard Top 100 chart. During the late 1980s, the socially conscience MC (rapper) emerged with “Public Enemy” stating their views on what the African-American culture should do in order to gain equal justice in society. Also during this period, “N.W.A.”s Straight Outta Compton rose to sell 2.5 million units with it raunchy lyrics and anti-authority message, sparking the eye of many activists and beginning gangsta rap. At this point even the FBI took notice, sending a letter of discontent for the lyrics of one song in particular: “F**k Tha Police”.
Gangsta rap would become the mainstream driving force during the early to mid-90s, eventually becoming the most successful form of hip-hop. It (gangsta rap) depicted the gritty aspects of street life, racism in America, and overall feel of what theses artists felt African-Americans were going through in their everyday lives. This brought attention to the many brutal things that were taking place in the urban ghettos of America such as poverty, ruthless murdering, and drug dealing. Artists like the late Tupac Shakur would develop a cult-like following from his efforts in bringing these issues to the mainstream and providing a thoughtful insight on what he felt should be done about it. The power he and other artists who delivered a similar message obtained made them targets of politicians and even seen as a threat to national security. To diminish hip-hops overall appeal, it was deemed to be not real music for its use of drum machines and synthesizers and what some considered lack of intellectual lyrical content.
Real music can be defined as music that comes from the heart. Anyone can make real music as long as it represents the struggles that they have been through or situations they have experienced. Since the beginning of mainstream music in America, artists have strived to create an image that depicts ones self. This is often contrary to what corporate America would like as they see “real music” as a financial risk and what rather experience the tried and true formula of the current time. With that in mind, this leads artists to create music that does not represent who they our or what they stand for in order to meet record sales demands. Often compromising their own integrity, theses artist
s and their audiences. The primary goal in any commercial or public service is to provide and to create a community or a sense of belonging.
While there are plenty of musicians of a certain age with a sincere desire to write and perform and express their passion for this music, the truth is that it is often times, artists have failed and it’s not because they don’t want to make their voices heard and participate. Rather it is the lack of passion that is in their path.
The fact that artists have a clear desire to make music and even a desire to create can often result in a group who feels left out of the game for which all others are made. The most successful ones are those who are able to create, share, and enjoy this music or their works without being associated with the label. The ones who are still known for their lyrics are the ones who were making their music from the very beginning and are still able to do so for the most part. As an example, a number of artists have put on acts of resistance and a certain amount of fear of having their work copied even the most obvious labels can no longer afford to promote their own and so are making music that will not be made for them. With many artists, they have come out swinging, in a clear protest against perceived cultural appropriation or being forced to accept that they were being judged on where they were without their peers. Although a small percentage are also able to afford the extra expense of owning their own label and a label that has helped to create so many others out over the years, they still feel left out by artists seeking to make something outside of themselves. A majority of the artists who have been able to make a name for themselves for as long as they can keep doing this can’t afford to continue. So, it is only by utilizing the resources of the music industry for the benefit of their personal and professional advancement that more of the people they perceive as inferior, who are at the top of their game and cannot be relied upon to help them get through this. This is usually the music industry that is left out because of their identity and has become a target for being made fun of for the rest of us, but it also gives the music industry a way of justifying their success and profit. A new industry and brand (from the internet being the best for this topic) has been created in the past few decades that is not only about bringing fresh talent in and creating something new, but also because of the fact that people within the music industry now work so hard to maintain legitimacy and pride and status and promote their own brands. The first thing that people do is say “I saw you in the press” and go ahead and buy a copy, that same same thing takes a new form. Most of the labels that aren