1. Chapter 17 – Rap and Hip-Hop Technology, the Internet, and the Music Industry  MIDI  Created in 1983  Allows electronic sound sources to interact with computers and/or synthesizers  Digital Sampling  A process that involves the conversion of sound energy into a series of numbers representing the sound amplitude at discrete intervals of time  The sound of acoustic instruments could simply be “recorded” digitally and then “played back” by pressing an assigned key on a synthesizer keyboard  Many artists use this method to take samples from a variety of sources and use it in their music  MP3 formats and file sharing on the internet  Many copyright lawsuits  Consumers could now purchase music online and download within a matter of minutes  The recording industry had to change their marketing tactics to follow the demand

2. Rap’s Beginnings  Rap developed in the neighborhoods of New York City in the late 1970s  “Hip-hop” is an urban art form such as block parties in the late 1970s  Was used to describe the lifestyle, fashions, fast-talking comedy, and cultural expression of the region (breakdancing, graffiti art, freedom writing, music, etc)  Now it is associated primarily with a specific urban musical style  Early hip-hop artist:  Grandmaster Flash: “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel” (#55 R&B in 1981)  Hip-hop was created primarily by DJs using turntables rather than by musicians performing on acoustic/electronic instruments

3. Rap’s Beginnings (cont)  Rap disposes of melody completely and instead uses rhythmic declamation of a spoken voice over percussion  Initially rap audiences were primarily young African-American listeners  Lyrics frequently incorporated violence, objectification of women, and sexually explicit topics Sugarhill Gang  “Rapper’s Delight” (1979) was one of the first commercially released rap recordsRapper’s Delight

4. Rap’s Beginnings (cont) Run-D.M.C.  “Walk This Way” (#4) in 1986Walk This Way  An update of Aerosmith’s 1977 hit Beastie Boys  Licensed to Ill (#1 in 1986)  First rap album to hit #1  “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)”(#7)You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party  Paul’s Boutique (#14 in 1989)  “Hey Ladies” (#36)Hey Ladies  This album was a result of a legal dispute with their record company

5. Rap’s Beginnings (cont) L.L. Cool J.  “I Need Love” (1987) was a rap balladI Need Love  Mama Said Knock You Out (#6 in 1990) Mama Said Knock You Out M.C. Hammer  From Oakland, CA  Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em (#1 in 1990)  “U Can’t Touch This”U Can’t Touch This Vanilla Ice  White rapper originally named Robert Van Winkle  “Ice Ice Baby” (#1 in 1990) – first rap single to peak at #1Ice Ice Baby

6. Rap Comes of Age Public Enemy  One of the most influential politically oriented hip-hop acts of the time  Dual rappers Chuck D and sidekick Flavor Flav  It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)  “Don’t Believe the Hype” (#18)Don’t Believe the Hype NWA  Formed in 1986 (Niggaz With Attitude)  Straight Outta Compton (1989)  “F*** the Police” created controversy- NWA received a warning letter from the FBIF*** the Police

7. Rap Comes of Age Public Enemy  One of the most influential politically oriented hip-hop acts of the time  Dual rappers Chuck D and sidekick Flavor Flav  It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)  “Don’t Believe the Hype” (#18)Don’t Believe the Hype NWA  Formed in 1986 (Niggaz With Attitude)  Straight Outta Compton (1989)  “F*** the Police” created controversy- NWA received a warning letter from the FBIF*** the Police

8. Other Rappers Eminem  Real name: Marshall Mathers  2 nd album (his breakthrough album): The Slim Shady LP (#3 in 1999)  “My Name Is” (#36) received the Best Rap Solo PerformanceMy Name Is  The Marshall Mathers LP debuted at #1 in 2000 and was the fastest selling rap album of all time  “The Real Slim Shady”The Real Slim Shady  The Eminem Show (#1 in 2002)  “Sing for the Moment”Sing for the Moment  8 Mile (movie and cd- #1 in 2002)  “Lose Yourself”Lose Yourself  He was among the loudest of voices in protests  Many of his raps were told through storytelling

9. New Jack Swing  Producer Teddy Riley created this NYC style by merging hip-hop beat with light rap and traditional R&B vocals  In 1994, he formed the group Blackstreet  “No Diggity” (#1 in 1996)No Diggity Other rap artists: Keith Sweat, Bell Biv DeVoe, New Edition On October 11, 2003, the Top 10 songs on the Billboard Magazine were by black artists, and all but one were by rappers.

10. Rhythmic Delivery of Rap  The element of pitch is typically absent  Some artists divide lines and finish each other’s verse or lines within a verse (alternate)  Some use a relaxed drawl to increase the intensity of the meaning of the words  Some use words to imitate sound effects (ex. Eminem’s “chicka chicka” represents a turntable in “My Name Is”)  Some rap slightly behind the beat in order to increase tension  Others alternate between melodic hooks and rap (Outkast’s “So Fresh and So Clean”)  Rap artists embellish an expressive performance by altering the loudness, timbre, duration and pitch range of the vocal delivery.