Hip
hop is a cultural movement which developed in New York City in the
early 1970s primarily among African Americans and Latino Americans. Hip hop's four
main elements are MCing (often called rapping), DJing, graffiti, and
breaking. Other elements include beatboxing, fashion, popping, tutting, electric boogalo, and locking. The
lifestyle of hip hop culture has spread around the world.
First
emerging in the Bronx at block parties by DJ Kool Herc, it was
based around DJ's who created rhythmic beats by looping breaks (small
portions of songs emphasizing a percussive pattern) on two turntables. This
was accompanied by "rapping" and beatboxing, a vocal technique mainly used
to imitate percussive elements of the music and various technical effects of hip
hop DJs. An original form of dancing (breaking) and fashion arose from these parties. "Break"
boys and "break' girls, or b-boys and b-girls, were the
dancers that would dance to this new kind of music.
Hip
Hop resulted from the trial and tribulations of those in poverty at the time.
Hip Hop is a form of self-expression and a way to empower and overcome the
struggles that life throws at you. Because of this, Hip Hop culture appeals to
a people from all backgrounds. It is not about gangs, violence, drugs,
and money as portrayed in popular media.
