History of Pop

Hip hop begins with the DJ. – Block parties became prominent in NYC in the 1970s, DJs would be hired to provide the music. – The records of the day were relatively short so DJs began to extend the records by cutting and chopping up the songs. Rapping over the DJ’s beat does not develop until later. – The MC would come out to talk up the DJ and warm up the crowd. – The roots of rapping come from African culture (griots) and spoken word poetry. (Last Poets) – Rapping became more involved as competition rose. Early hip hop artists include: – DJ Kool Herc, Melle Mel, Sugarhill Gang, Afrika Bambaataa, and Kurtis Blow

 The Sugarhill Gang is considered to have recorded the first hip hop song of all time, “Rapper’s Delight”.  During the early 1980s, hip hop grew in popularity and spread to cities across the United States.  Along with its spread it began to develop new sounds and styles.  Some important artists during this period include:  Gandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, Cold Crush Brothers, Kurtis Blow, Newcleus, Whodini

Hip hop relied heavily upon drum machines and samples. During this time rapping became more lyrical and involved. – The DJ became less important and the MC grew in popularity. It is during this time that the music proved to the general public that it had staying power and that it was quickly becoming an art form. Important artists: – LL Cool J LL Cool J – Run DMC Run DMC – Beastie Boys Beastie Boys – The Fat Boys

The “golden age” of hip hop usually refers to a time period from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. It is characterized by advancements in production and lyrical content. – Lyrics became focused on politics, poverty, and Afrocentrism – Music was meant to be listened to rather than danced to. Artists of the Golden Age include: – Eric B. & Rakim, Public Enemy, KRS-One, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, EPMD, & The PharcydeDe La SoulA Tribe Called QuestSlick RickThe Pharcyde

 The genre was pioneered by Schoolly D and Ice-T in the mid-1980s.  Known for glorifying violence and thug life, it instantly became controversial.  N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton was released in 1988 and became a target of critics, especially for the song F*** the Police.Straight Outta Compton  Later N.W.A. would be blamed for causing the L.A. riots partially because of this song.  N.W.A. defended their lyrics by stating that they are simply “reporters” of inner –city life.  Other artists important to the movement:  Bone-Thugs & Harmony, Snoop Doggy Dog, Too Short, Cypress Hill Bone-Thugs & HarmonySnoop Doggy DogCypress Hill

 1990, is known as the year that hip hop “exploded”.  Aided by the success of Public Enemy, N.W.A. & Dr. Dre, Tone Loc, MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, and Fresh Prince.Fresh Prince  By 1999, Hip Hop had become the best selling music genre in the United States.  Hip Hop was no longer appealing to a Black and Latino audience; Whites now made up the vast majority of album sales.

 Tupac Amaru Shakur was born in 1971 in NYC.  His mother was a former Black Panther and his father was a hustler.  Tupac excelled in school, upon graduating he found a job as a back- up dancer in the Digital Underground.  In 1991, 2Pocalypse Now was released starting his solo career.2Pocalypse Now  “Keep Ya Head Up” “Keep Ya Head Up”  In November 1993 Tupac spent some time in jail for a sexual assault charge.  While in jail he was bailed by Suge Knight in exchange for three albums under the Death Row label.

 Born Christopher Wallace in 1972 in Brooklyn, NY.  He was a promising an intelligent student, but he dropped out of high school to sell drugs.  Biggie was signed by Puffy in 1992, he started building up his cred through appearing on other artist’s songs.  “Juicy” “Juicy”  During this time he also marries R & B singer Faith Evans.

 West coast hip hop dominated the charts in the early 1990s.  In 1992, Puff Daddy founded Bad Boy Records, the following year Biggie Smalls releases his debut album, Ready to Die.  Ready to Die helps revitalize East coast hip hop.  In 1995, Tupac was robbed outside of a recording studio where Biggie was recording.  Tupac blamed Biggie and Puffy for setting him up.  This would set off a feud that would culminate in the murder of both Pac and biggie just a few years later.  The feud helped sell millions of records and did push some artists to new creative heights. But at what cost?

 Inspired by the legacies of the “golden age” and gangster rap, artists on the East coast began to gain prominence in the mid 1990s.  The most notable of this movement was Wu- Tang Clan.Wu- Tang Clan  By 1999, they were the best selling artists in the United States.  In 1994, Illmatic, Nas’ debut album was released.  In 1996, Jay-Z’s debut album Reasonable Doubt is released.  Major artists during the time include: Busta Rhymes, Gang Starr, Mobb Deep, Pete Rock, Cam’ron, Gang Starr, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, & Lil’ Kim