1. Rap History The Modern Era

2. Define Rap A form of rhymed storytelling, accompanied by rhythms electronically based music.

3. Where does rap originate? In 1979, Rap emerged from hip-hop. Hip-hop was a youth movement that encompassed the voice of something new or the want for change.

4. Many historians believe rap emerged because of the destruction of a community. The Cross-Bronx Expressway Project destroyed minority communities. Due to the new expressway, the land value was depreciated and families were relocated.

5. Through hip-hop, communities started to shape up. People began going to clubs and parks to hear rappers. The rapper’s lyrics usually consisted of issues overlooked by the mainstream media.

6. Three elements of the hip- hop culture. GraffitiRappingBreakdancing

10. Many young men used rap as a mean of social status. In their lyrics they often use insults and support causes for change.

11. Why is the formation of rap important for the time? Graffiti and breakdance crews formed and became an aspect of reforming the communities. Block parties containing these elements helped form a sense of community.

12. There were more developments in turntable techniques. Also, there were two big releases: Rapper’s Delight by the Sugarhill Gang- a dance tune “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five-discusses the ghetto life.

15. Rap is now looked upon as musical expression. Rap began sweeping the nation.

16. Early Promoters Russell Simmons went to clubs to see young rap artists and DJs. Many of Simmons’s friends are rappers, which he uses as the entertainment for his parties. He eventually works with the group known as Run-DMC. They would go on to sell many albums and have many hits.

17. Run-DMC

18. Rick Rubin Rick Rubin, a fan of all music, wanted to produce rap records similar to his favorite group, Run- DMC Rubin would form Def Jam records producing “It’s Yours” by T La Rock Simmons and Rubin were fans of each other and began to hit the club scene together.

20. Rubin would also sign a young man named Ladies Love Cool James. He also signed the Beastie Boys

21. Breakthrough Rubin and Simmons biggest break through came when CBS distributed Run DMC’s cover of “Walk This Way” This became Rap’s first Top 5 single and it was the first rap album to go platinum. This showed that rap was becoming more than just a community event, but instead it was mainstream.

23. Question: What were Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin’s contribution to Rap history? They were responsible for moving rap music from the local party scene to the national arena during its first decade.

24. Rap Artists Take Center Stage As rap music grew, different themes emerged in the music. Examples: Dancing Feuds Cultural Awareness

25. Trouble Brewing Many rappers began to focus on the persistent gang problems still prevalent in inner cities. Gangsta rap emerged Along with these issue rap artists began to incorporate clothing and style in their music. Ex. “Put Your Fila’s On

26. First Gangsta Rap Song

27. On the West Coast, the mainstream media criticized rappers for glorifying the region’s gang lifestyle. The Group N.W.A. were forthcoming in transferring their lifestyle into controversial rhymes.

28. Their songs protested police brutality and racial profiling. Also, later they would be criticized for having lyrics that demean women.

29. What Did This Mean For Rap? With controversy there comes publicity. N.W.A. received letters from the F.B.I., local officials, etc. They were getting negative media attention, but it was still attention. Rap artist started to become a focal point in the music world.

30. Counter-attack Not all artists used their gangster lifestyle in their music. In fact if you listened to some music, you would not know that the performer was a formal gang member. Also, many artists wanted to present a more positive message.

31. Examples Kid’N Play-presented playful, party-like, style that allowed them air time on the radio, some hit movies, and even a Saturday morning cartoon. Will Smith-aka The Fresh Prince presented G rated materials that catapulted him to “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and many movies.

32. Kid’N Play

33. The Fresh Prince