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Rufus Osby

04/08/2011

English 4

Mr. Stein

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I. Introduction:

A. The roots of African-American music are buried deep within the music of the African continent. The history and evolution of African-American music is as rich and complex as the history of African Americans themselves. The essence of African-American music lies in its expression of the human experience. Although the different styles vary widely in their tone, topic and the tools used to produce them, African-American music has the ability to cross all color and culture lines. Styles such as the blues, jazz, gospel and hip hop have spread their influence all over the world. Although music in ancient Africa varied widely by location, it was an important part of African culture. Africans who came to the Americas during the slave trade brought much of their African heritage with them. This included their musical traditions. In many parts of West Africa, from which many slaves were taken, music was very rhythmic and incorporated a heavy use of drums. Most slave owners did not permit slaves on their plantations to use drums. They feared that the slaves would use the drums as a means of communication in order to plan rebellions. As a result, slaves had to adopt European instruments such as the fiddle. Nevertheless, African American slaves used music to help them make it through the horrors of slavery. "Work songs" and "field hollers" were sung by slaves while doing hard labor in the fields. These songs incorporated the "call-and-response" style used widely in Africa, where the lead singer calls out a phrase. Since then, African-American music has continued to evolve, even into the modern day.

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Many elements of previous plantation songs, the blues, jazz and gospel have found their way into the newer forms of African-American music such as hip hop. Hip hop began in the Bronx during the late 1970s. Like most of its predecessors, it developed out of a need for young African Americans to express themselves and the world around them. Unlike earlier African-American music forms, hip hop places a heavy emphasis on both rhyming lyrics and beats. Like the blues, it is a form of storytelling used to reveal the harsh realities, hopes and dreams of everyday life. It also resembles jazz music in its more upbeat tempo and emphasis on dancing. Instead of traditional live instruments, hip hop artists tend to utilize modern equipment. (lee 45).

B. Nowadays if you ask most people to give a definition of "rap", they're likely to state that it's the reciting of rhymes to the best of music. It's a form of expression that finds its roots imbedded deep within ancient African culture and oral tradition. Throughout history here in America there has always been some form of verbal acrobatics or jousting involving rhymes within the Afro-American community. Signifying, testifying, Shining of the Titanic, the Dozens, school yard rhymes, prison 'jail house' rhymes and double Dutch jump rope' rhymes are some of the names and ways that various forms of rap have changed and formed over time. (lee 57).Hip Hop music is generally focused around one or more rappers who are telling their story. Storytelling is the foundation of hip hop music. To tell the story in an entertaining way, rappers use the same techniques as successful poets, utilizing alliteration, assonance, and rhyme to carry the message to the audience. One of the famous example of using hip hop to story tell is during introduction of the fight between Muhammad Ali and Sunny Liston, Muhammad Ali says,

                                             Clay comes out to meet Liston

                                             And Liston starts to retreat

                                              If Liston goes back any further

                                              He'll end up in a ringside seat.

                                                                                                                                                         Osby 2

                                              Clay swings with a left,

                                              Clay swings with a right,

                                              Look at young Cassius

                                              Carry the fight.

                                              Liston keeps backing

                                             But there's not enough room

                                            It's a matter of time... (Ali 1965)

This example shows that those that produce hip hop music, that music is their way of communicating a message. For those that listen to hip hop music, it is both an escape from their lives, and a dream, many hip hop songs represent success, overcoming adversity, and ultimate survival. Even if the listener has not gone through what the rapper has, they can still respect what the rapper is saying. In essence, hip hop music has also become a telescope into a culture that many would never see without the rappers lighting the way. However, there is much more to hip hop music than meets the eye.

100. According to Source magazine, hip hop is a form of ground breaking music that involves deep rooted culture and self expression. Deep rooted culture meaning in rich with purpose and history from many previous generation who have used music to overcome adversity and bring change. Self expression meaning a way to claim self identity and ones interpersonal struggles. Therefore hip hop words and meanings often change with the struggles and self expression that is needed for the time period in which it is created. Hip hop has inspired many different countries around the world, South Africa being one of them. Although the music styles are different, United States and in South Africa rap music has remained the same. Although the styles may vary as they do from person to person the underlining foundations of a chance to freely express one self remains the same. This was basically the same reason why any of the aforementioned verbal/rhyme games manifested themselves in the past. More importantly, it was an art form accessible to anyone. One didn't need a lot of money or expensive resources to rhyme. One didn't have to invest in lessons or anything like that. Rapping was a verbal skill that could be practiced and honed to perfection at almost anytime. Both culture rooted there struggles and expression with in each note and underlining phrase.

                                                                                                                                                         Osby 3

II. Body:

            A.Hip hop music is comprised of rapping, which is a quick delivery of clever, rhythmic vocals, and DJing, which is the musical composition. Rappers create varied instrumentals by sampling music, using turntables (to create a “scratch” effect), beatboxing, or using live instruments. Beatboxing is the art of creating beats, rhythms, and even melodies using just the mouth. Beatboxing can be pretty complex, ranging into singing, vocal scratching, and the simulation of horns, strings, and many other musical instruments. Rappers get creative in order to replicate so many different sound effects. Hip Hop is known as a form of popular music that originated among inner city African American youth in the 1970s. When Hip Hop was first created in the inner city no one could have imagined the impact that it would have on the world today. A fun a vibrant style of music has went from the streets to millions of people and cultures around the world. According to Urban Statistics in Source magazine, "over 50 percent of the US population listens to some form of HIp Hop music," (brooks 32).

                        i. In the US hip hop has become an image of flashiness, big chains, expensive cars, women, foul language and a way to go from rags to riches. It has also incorporated rap violence and self hatred. Although many critics say that this image amount the youth is not betraying a good message and that the music should be changed to a more positive out look. Hip hop artist and supporters that hip hop music has to be that way; it is a reflection of the harsh environment

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that the rapper has overcome. Toning down the lyrics would take away the reality that the rapper has gone through and overcome, therefore insulting him or her.

                        ii. Examples of hip hop taking on a negative image within the US would be the academy award winning song being “it hard out here for a pimp,”. Another example is the use of music in conception with negative images and violence on media devices                     

                        iii. Although some may seem hip hop as a main stream culture that promotes violence and fast money there are other who use it as a form of music as self expression and political and culture awareness.

iv. An example of self expression would be a concert by Wyclef to promote peace, aid   awareness, and to raise money for poverty. Self expression by music talks about culture, struggle and the community of the person who is bringing forth the music.

                B. Just as hip hop music is everywhere, many people from all walks of life listen to hip hop music. This may sound surprising, as a common view is that hip hop music is only for African Americans and Hispanic people. In the United States, it is thought that over 70% of rap music is bought by non African Americans. Those that listen to rap music aren't even confined to American inner cities, many live in well off suburbs and towns. Everyone from those living in Hawaii to those living in Iceland listen to rap music. Hip hop music is a popular form of music worldwide, and as time goes by, has only grown in popularity. Each region has made hip hop unique to their environment, but the fact remains that many people listen to hip hop music, not just a select few. Across the globe hip hop is being used self expression, communication, and self identity. In South Africa during a time where legal racial segregation enforced by the National Party of South Africa, a group of south African began to use hip hop as a form of coded communication, self expression of how they felt about what was happening to them and a way to have something in

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common to identify with. Because of the continued struggle for Africans in South Africa the origination of hip hop stays intact and the form of its use stays closely related to the underling foundations and origination of the US hip hop.

                C. According to political figures especially those from other countries feel that hip hop is used as a slang language that has no meaning and not significance to the South African people.

                D. The world. H, I, P, H, O, P, Highly Intelligent People, Healing Our Planet. Is the philosophy of South African who sue hip hop to communicate and remain strong through the struggle of slavery, poverty and political dictatorship.

                   I. In the year of 1985 to 1990 hip hop was used as a tool to help deal with and communicate how they felt about Nelson Mandela and his freedom.

E. hip-hop is rooted in the post-Civil Rights Movement, when it was fuelled by racial tensions and the economic climate. Real culture of hip-hop is not what is on the radio, but what lies within the artists of the underground. Underground hip-hop is a massive cultural phenomenon; it has the power to change nations, overthrow governments and inform consumers, and it contains the creative freedom of expression. It has become a global phenomenon that offers voices to those all over the world that are in marginalized circumstances. Hip-hop is becoming more and more popular in Arab and Muslim countries, due to the social and political injustices found there. Though the words may be different and the language not the same the underline meaning is one. Overcoming the social structure that one may have been bind with.