Added: 09/22/2005 |
Hip hop records make people danceHip hop is a cultural movement that began among urban African Americans and Latinos in the Bronx New York City in the early 1970s, and has since spread around the world. The four main aspects, or "elements", of hip hop culture are: MCing rapping, DJing, graffiti and break dancing. The factors that influenced early hip hop are complex and numerous. Although the majority of influences can be traced to African culture, the multicultural society of New York City resulted in diverse musical influences finding their way into hip hop music.
The movement that later became known as "hip hop" is said to have begun with the work of DJ Kool Herc. Herc was one of the most popular DJs in early 70s New York, playing at neighborhood parties (also known as block parties). After his first gig on Sedgwick Ave. in the Bronx in 1973, Herc quickly switched from using reggae records to funk, rock and disco, as he found that the New York audience did not particularly like reggae. Herc and other DJs found that dancers often preferred the percussive breaks of the records, and began extending them using an audio mixer and two records. In a highly competitive atmosphere, Herc's friends and competitors quickly developed other mixing techniques in order to keep audiences excited. As in Jamaica, these events were often hosted by a performer who spoke while the music played; these were originally called MCs (Masters of Ceremonies) and, later, rappers. Early rappers focused on introducing themselves, the DJ and others in the audience, although they quickly progressed to including improvisation and a simple four-count beat, along with a simple chorus. Later MCs added more complex and often humorous lyrics, and incorporated sexual themes.
Nowadays hip hop records industry is a very perspective business. Most hip hop singers are millionaires they have marvelous houses, fancy cars and loyal fans all over the world. Hip hop records are permanent leaders of most MTV music charts. Hip hop is moving and developing together with the whole world. Some say that hip hop records reflect the social problems, while others think that this music is full only with rhythm.
Hip hop records sell well, especially if they were produced by famous hip hop artists. For example, nowadays a hip hop star 50 Cent is being touted as the hottest rapper in the music industry. 50 Cent (aka Curtis Jackson) is a former crack dealer and is being marketed as the future of Rap. 50's Aftermath debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin', was released on February 6, 2003 and in less than two weeks became the best selling debut album since SoundScan started its tracking system back in 1991. It became the top seller on Billboard's albums chart, moving over 872,000 copies, according to SoundScan figures released on February 12. That first week, Get Rich or Die Tryin' sold more copies than all the other top 10 albums combined. His hardcore life experiences fit neatly into the stereotypical box the music industry is so fond of shoving rap artists into.
Hip hop singers earn money not only by means of concert activities and by selling their albums. Ringtones for mobile phones bring good income for music manufacturing companies. Hip hop ringtone has become an attribute of high style person. Now hip hop is not only music. It is more business then art.
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