hip hop

Hip Hop

Hip hop is a subcultural art movement that was formed during the early 1970s by African-American youths It was a direct result of overflowing creativity, suppressed energy, and a lack of available outlets for release and expression of local area teens and young adults in an impoverished area. Funding for after school programs, music, and art classes had been dropped. The effect was gangs and violence due to lack of recreational outlets. Afrika Bambaataa, along with DJ Kool Herc, Busy Bee Starski, and DJ Hollywood, began organizing block parties in the Bronx area which started the humble beginnings of hip hop. The result of their endeavors grew into what is known as the hip hop culture of today.

hip hop culture

The original concept behind hip hop was that of unity; an assemblage of people to showcase their talents. Hip hop became an avenue for inventiveness and an alternative to gang violence. It was instrumental in bringing the youth of Bronx, New York, and other surrounding areas, together for a common cause; expression of their artistic creativity. Today, hip hop has grown and evolved into a cultural of its own. Although hip hop is often thought of only as what is currently known as "gangster rap" it is rich is so many various elements and ways of expression. DJing, MCing, Breaking, Graffiti Art, and Beatbox are the creative outlets that collectively made up hip hop culture and its revolutionary aesthetic.