Not only is the message within his lyrics important to hip-hop culture, Jay-Z’s ideology on record labels and the type of artist he wants to be encapsulates what hip-hop is all about. Jay-Z’s song tells the story of life’s struggles and hardships, and how if he was able to make it out then it’s possible for anyone. This song again shows us what hip-hop is about by broadcasting a positive and empowering message through the lyrics. The impact of ‘Boyz’ had to do with its affirmation, its boast: ‘We’re taking over now.’” (Jeff Chang, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, )Įleven years later we have the release of “Hard Knock Life” by Jay-Z. “‘Boyz-N-The-Hood’ became an anthem for the fearless, brother less, state-assaulted, heavily armed West Coast urban youth, a generation of Johnathan Jacksons. At a time when record labels and executives were exploiting hip-hop artists who were uneducated about the business side of the industry, Eazy E and company let the world know where they stood. At a time when African Americans were being mistreated and oppressed by society, this song came out as a rallying cry to the youth generation and a symbol of standing up to authority and uniting as a community. This song was a representation of the message and empowerment that hip-hop was truly about. Next, we jump to 1987 with Eazy E’s “Boyz-N-The-Hood”. The core elements of hip-hop were lost with the commercialization of the art, leaving us with the rhythm of beats and the words of the MC’s. But in order sell records and appeal to a wider audience, instead of breakdancing they showed people in disco outfits slowly doing organized dance routines. This was an opportunity to show the world the art of b-boying and breakdancing, and how it went hand in hand with the growth of hip-hop. The dancing in the middle of the video though is probably the most damaging to hip-hop’s core elements. We don’t see a DJ in the video, not even as a token of respect to the origins of the culture. In the video we see how quickly the core elements of hip-hop were stripped away in order to appeal to a broader mass of people. Here’s a look into the official music video of one of the most iconic songs in hip-hop history.Īs the first hip-hop song ever produced and put out for the country to hear meant that the song was the first and only representation of hip-hop to the world beyond the streets of New York City. Starting off in 1979 with Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rappers Delight,” we saw the first ever hip-hop record produced kick start a movement that would change the entire landscape of music. The purpose of this essay is to show the evolution of hip-hop from its roots in the Bronx through the present day by exploring the lyrics and message behind each song. In this essay I’m going to be looking at five hit songs from top artists from each decade, starting with Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rappers Delight” and ending with Migos’s “Bad and Boujee”. When all the lyrics are just hollow and meaningless words, it leaves you with something that’s not hip-hop at all, but just a way to make money. Without its core principles, hip-hop loses what made it special. I think the new era of hip-hop has had a negative impact on the art form itself, and it puts a bad label on the community. The popularity of hip-hop opened the door for many talented black artists and created new opportunities for a community of people who have been mistreated at every turn throughout history. It is now about making money, selling records, and gaining popularity at all costs. Today we see the art form being used to promote violence, the disrespect of women, drug abuse, and other negative messages that are at odds with hip-hop’s origins. The movement was about bringing together communities, stopping violence, and inspiring a generation of youth – and its impact on black culture was positive and powerful. In its early days, hip-hop lyrics weren’t preaching any particular message, but the movement and its impact on communities sent a powerful message. I believe hip-hop is an art form, a mix of breaking, DJing, and MCing all coming together under one roof with emphasis on the sound and rhythm of the music, created in black communities as an outlet. Looking back at the history of hip-hop, and the rich culture surrounding the art form, it’s clear that the roots of the genre have been stripped down to almost nothing over the years. Digital Essay: The Evolution of Hip-Hop into the Modern Era
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