‘Hip-Hop’By George Parkin.

Imagery associated with the ‘Hip-Hop’ genre.

Some popular music magazines specialising in ‘Hip-Hop’, with artists associated with the genre on the cover...

Magazine: ‘Hip-Hop’

Artist: Curtis “50-Cent” Jackson.

Magazine: ‘Vibe’

Artist: Marshall “Eminem” Mathers.

Magazine: ‘The Source’

Artist: Chris “Ludacris” Bridges.

Imagery associated with the ‘Hip-Hop’ genre.

Some popular music magazines specialising in ‘Hip-Hop’, with artists associated with the genre on the cover…

Magazine: ‘Billboard’

Artist: DeAndre “Soulja Boy” Way.

Magazine: ‘Stash’

Artist: Stanley “Mistah F.A.B.” Cox.

Magazine: ‘XXL’

Artist: Chris “Ludacris” Bridges.

Famous ‘Hip-Hop’ Artists. Some of the most influential and popular stars of the ‘Hip-Hop’ music scene, both deceased and living. These four men

are key examples of the ongoing popularity of ‘Hip-Hop’ the fame, fortune and world renowned status it can bring you…

Christopher Wallace, better known by his stage name, The Notorious B.I.G.

Tupac Shakur, better known by his stage name; 2pac.

Curtis Jackson, better known as 50-Cent.

Marshall Mathers, better known as Eminem or under his alter-ego; Slim Shady.

Famous ‘Hip-Hop’ Band.The ‘Hip-Hop’ genre may be predominantly solo artists but many bands that work in the ‘Hip-Hop’ genre are well

known and respected, many of them containing members who are also well known solo artists…

D-12 an acronym for The Dirty Dozen.

D-12 is an American ‘Hip-Hop’ band from Detroit, Michigan. D-12 has had chart topping albums in the United States, United

Kingdom and Australia. D-12 was formed in 1996, and achieved mainstream success after member Eminem rose to international

fame.

G-Unit an acronym for Guerrilla Unit.

G-Unit an American ‘Hip-Hop’ band originating from New York City formed by

50-Cent. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several

mixed tapes

The History Of ‘Hip-Hop’

‘Hip-hop’ is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing. Other elements include beatboxing.

Since its emergence in the South Bronx, hip hop culture has spread around the world. ‘Hip-Hop’ music first emerged with disc jockeys creating rhythmic beats by looping breaks (small portions of songs emphasizing a percussive pattern) on two turntables, more commonly referred to as sampling. This was later accompanied by "rap", a rhythmic style of chanting or poetry presented in 16 bar measures or time frames, and beatboxing, a vocal technique mainly used to imitate percussive elements of the music and various technical effects of ‘Hip-Hop’ DJ's. An original form of dancing and particular styles of dress arose among fans of this new music. These elements experienced considerable refinement and development over the course of the history of the culture. Some ‘Hip-Hop’ music makes political statements.

The relationship between graffiti and ‘Hip-Hop’ culture arises from the appearance of new and increasingly elaborate and pervasive forms of the practice in areas where other elements of ‘Hip-Hop’ were evolving as art forms, with a heavy overlap between those who wrote graffiti and those who practiced other elements of the culture. Today, graffiti remains part of ‘Hip-Hop’, while crossing into the mainstream art world with renowned exhibits in galleries throughout the world.

The Background of ‘Hip-Hop’.

Today ‘Hip-Hop’ remains one of the most popular genres, being known across the world and influencing a whole generation of people, eventually commanding its own culture, as people devote their lives to ‘Hip-Hop’ and the lifestyle that comes with it, but due to the fact ‘Hip-Hop’ originated in such deprived areas as the South Bronx during the 1970’s and 1980’s it was difficult for many artists to find mainstream success due to the lack of opportunities in the areas they are often from, also many people involved in the genre are usually African-American, although there are notable exceptions. Because of the racial tensions in places like New York during the 1970’s and through to the 1990’s the progression for many artists was often slow, in addition to that the poverty-stricken areas in which they originated from often lead them into street gangs, crime and drugs. Leaving artists stereotyped and many unwilling to take a chance on them. Also, other elements like the Crack epidemic in the United States during the mid-80’s and 90’s heavily effected American-American males and further hindered their careers as many ended up mixed up in crime.

Although today ‘Hip-Hop’ is a much more respected genre and has been commercialised considerably meaning record labels are much more likely to accept aspiring ‘Hip-Hop’ artists more so than before, it is still none the less difficult to get into and even more difficult to stay popular in a genre were there have been so many innovations. Overall the ‘Hip-Hop’ genre is a booming and ever popular area of the music industry, with new and exciting artists being discovered all the time meaning more people are involved in the genre than ever and more people are hearing what is being produced due to ‘Hip-Hop’ being mainstreamed to the masses.

Imagery associated with the‘Hip-Hop’ genre.

The imagery here differs from the traditional photographs of the artists, these are promotion photographs, artworks and album covers, all acting as a way for ‘Hip-Hop’ stars to signify their specific image...

The problems with ‘Hip-Hop’ and its stereotypes

‘Hip-Hop’ for a long time has had many negative stereotypes attached to it which has lead to criticism of the genre and its members alleged ties with organized crime, street gangs and drugs…

Due to the fact ‘Hip-Hop’ emerged at a time when there was severe racial tensions, poverty and crime it found itself associated with primarily African-Americans (who were at the forefront of these problems) who themselves had negative stereotypes attached to them normally relating to drugs and gangs.

In addition to that ‘Hip-Hop’ took off in severely deprived areas that were often populated by ethnic-minorities including areas of California were gang culture was rife, specifically the ‘Bloods’ and ‘Cribs’ two rival African-American street gangs and the Bronx in New York City which was a severely deprived area were high unemployment, gang culture and vandalism ravaged the area during the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s which meant for many youths who were trying to avoid crime used ‘Hip-Hop’ music as a form of escapism and expression however negative perceptions of the people who created it continued and in the early years this further limited its mainstream success.

Although many ‘Hip-Hop’ artists are keen to avoid association with crime many high profile stars have become embroiled with shady activities during their careers, examples include the controversial lifestyle lead by Tupac Shakur which included being shot five times, a stay in prison, sexual assault charges and his eventual murder aged just 25 years old, he also had a strong association with Suge Knight who even went as far to pay Tupac’s 1.4 million dollar bail, Knight co-founder of Death Row Records allegedly had ties to the ‘Bloods’ as well as being suspected in the murder of famed rapper Biggie Smalls (reports have also surfaced linking Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur’s death due to the similarities in the drive-by shootings) in addition to that many other rappers and ‘Hip-Hop’ artists have shown no attempts to mask their roots and questionable backgrounds with both Eminem and 50-Cent (who has publicized the fact he is a former drug dealer and has been shot nine times) releasing semi-biographical drama films charting fictional protagonists (partly based on themselves) struggle to overcome their deprived backgrounds, temptation of crime and ultimately become success stories in the music industry.

However many ‘Hip-Hop’ artists have expressed clear attempts to preserve their image and are unwilling to tarnish it for example Dr. Dre left Death Row Records after becoming frustrated with the companies increasingly ‘thuggish’ reputation and CEO Knight’s violent inclinations. Although it must be noted many still survive of the ‘gangster’ image notable artists such as 50-Cent who has produced violent video games and films depicting himself in criminal activates and violent altercations as well as creating posters which present his stereotypical ‘gangster’ image including baggy jeans, tattoos, numerous pieces of jewellery, bullet proof vests and often balaclava's partially covering his face as well as guns, implying he is engaged in criminal activates or is likely to commit one most likely a robbery.

Although as of today the stereotypes and negative associations with crime are slowly dwindling, early ‘Hip-Hop’ has often been credited with helping to reduce inner-city gang violence by replacing physical violence with ‘Hip-Hop’ battles of dance and artwork. However, with the emergence of commercial and crime-related rap during the early 1990s, an emphasis on violence was incorporated, with many rappers boasting about drugs, weapons, misogyny, and violence. While ‘Hip-Hop’ music now appeals to a broader demographic, media critics argue that socially and politically conscious ‘Hip-Hop’ has long been disregarded by mainstream America in favour of its media-baiting sibling, ‘Gangsta’ rap.

Important ‘Hip-Hop’ Innovators.These are the people who are still active today, some of them recently discovered and others veterans of show business, these innovators

ensure the ‘Hip-Hop’ genre remains successful and prominent in the world of music, producing new music all the time…

There is a whole range of people involved in the ‘Hip-Hop’ genre, people from different backgrounds, genders, ethnicities, beliefs and opinions…

• The Black Eyed Peas• Akon• Mariah Carey • The-Dream• Nate Dogg• Missy Elliott• Greydon Square• Flo Rida• Nicky Jam• R. Kelly• Sean Kingston• Lil Wayne• Big Moe• Nelly• Queen Latifah • Rihanna• Plan B• Snoop Dogg• Z-Ro• Kanye West

In addition to the people I have already mentioned these people are perhaps some of the most important in the ‘Hip-Hop’ genre, being active right up until the present day, or relatively recently. Producing vast amounts of music that has sold in its millions worldwide, helping to make ‘Hip-Hop’ the financial and critical success it is today.

By George Parkin.