American Rap

Victor Carrasco, Iván Campos, Pedro Gutiérrez

Rap or Hip hop is a style of music which combines a speech called rapping and

instrumental music which gives more rhythm to the speech.

Hip Hop is not only a style of music, it actually is a cultural movement which has a

lot of elements. Break dancing or graffitis are an example.

When we refer to the term rap, we are only talking about the music.

What is rap / hip hop?

History of Rap

Rap music was born in the Bronx (New York) during the 1970s due to the collaboration between african american singers (later known as MCs) and some instrumental DJs who made the beat for the songs. Some say that DJ Hollywood was one of the first rappers who started making rap music, but when Kurtis Blow released the song The Breaks, he became the most famous singer in the seventies.

However, it wasn’t until the 80s when the rap industry became strong.

DJ HOLLYWOOD

KURTIS

BLOW

The 80s started with Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five releasing an important album. Later on, they also released a single called The Message, whichis still one of the best songs made in the hip hop genre.

Loads of MCs appeared during this period of time, which caused the “Golden age” of hip hop in the late80s / early 90s.

Some of the main groups of this period was Run-DMC or the Beastie Boys, who was the first hip hop group to have an album at the top of the Billboard charts.

1980s

1990sOne of the most successful albums of the 90s was Fear of a Black Planetby Public Enemy.

Sugarhill Gang’s“Rapper’s Delight”was their most significative single. It became the first rap single to enter the national top 20.

MC Hammer released a multi platinum album called Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em. He became internationally famous for hisnumber one single U Can’t Touch This, which is still listened nowadays.

In 1992 Dr.Dre released The Chronic, helping to establish West Coast gangsta rap as more commercially viable than East Coast hip hop. This album founded a new style called G Funk.

Dr.Dre

Snoop Dogg developed and popularized the G Funk with the album called Doggystyle. He had a huge impact in the 90s. His second album called Tha Doggfatherdebuted at No. 1 with Snoop’s Upside YaHead. The album was certified doubleplatinum in 1997.

SNOOP

DOGG

Ice Cube is considered an icon and inspiration for a lot of singers. He has been a very important person in the hip hop industry, andalmost every rapper has a song that mentions him or tries to be like him. His best single is, by far, Today Was A Good Day, which is one of the best rap songs ever made.

In 1994, Warren G and Nate Dogg, released a song called Regulate, which is also one of songs that cannot be ignored. It reached top 2 on the Billboard charts and has been successful worldwide.

In the mid 90s, Hip Hop became a best selling genre and the top selling music genre by 1999 with 81 million CD’s sold.

Rivalry between coasts

The rivalry between the West Coast and the East Coast has hada huge impact in the music made in the middle 90s.

The east-side was mainly defended by The Notorious B.I.G, who was a very important rapper. He released some of the most known hip hop songs, like Juicy or Big Poppa.

The west-side was defended by Tupac, who is, for the 99% of the hip hop fanbase, the greatest rapper ever. Most of his songs fought racism and he was a big inspiration to a lot of singers.

Sadly, they were both killed in the late 90s.

2000s

The 2000s are considered a step to a new era to the rap industry. New artists step up while the old ones stop performing. Eminem, currently one of the top rap artists, released his first album (The Slim Shady LP) in 1999, and followed this one the next year with The Marshall Mathers LP. He has made 8 albums up until now and he is working on the next one. Oddly enough, he is one of the few successful white-skinned rappers in the hip hop history.

EMINEM

One of the stars from the 2000 is Kanye West. He has released 7 solid albums and absolutely everyone agrees that he has made some of the best hip hop content and he is a great artist. His unique style makes his songs be fluent and chill with an enjoyable rhythm.

OutKast, although they are not from the 2000, they are from the 90s, they are still performing nowadays. They are a duo made by André 3000 and Big Boi, who are really good artists. Together they have made good singles like Ms. Jackson or Hey Ya!, which are very known.

OutKast

Kanye West

New talentsJ. Cole is considered the best current rapper all around the world by some music magazines.

He has released very good singles and last year he released an album which is on its way to

be a top seller. No doubt we will hear from him in a near future.

Kendrick Lamar is also quite a new talent. His unique style and flow makes him a very good

artist and his songs are really enjoyable to listen.

J. Cole

Kendrick Lamar

New talents

Big K.R.I.T is an artist who, with no doubt, will rise to the top in a few years. His originality and

voice are impressive and, according to music professionals, with J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar,

are probably the best rappers at the moment.