Rap

Rap is a vocal style, primarily associated with hip hop music, in which the artist speaks rhythmically and in rhyme, often to an instrumental or synthesized beat. Emerging from the urban streets of the Bronx in New York City in the 1970s, rap has since grown to become a dominant force in global pop culture, influencing various fields from music and dance to fashion and cinema.

History

Origins

Rap's origins can be traced back to traditional African griot storytelling, where a lead storyteller would recite epic tales rhythmically without any instrumentation. In the US, rap emerged in the 1970s within Black and Latinx communities in the Bronx. Early innovators, like DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa, developed techniques that would lay the groundwork for hip hop culture.

1980s: Golden Age

The 1980s saw a boom in rap's popularity. Widely considered rap's "Golden Age," this era was marked by innovations in flow and the diversification of lyrical themes. Groups like Run-DMC, Public Enemy, and N.W.A pushed boundaries, addressing socio-political issues and defining regional sounds.

1990s: Mainstream Acceptance and East vs. West

Rap went mainstream in the 1990s, with artists like Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., and Dr. Dre achieving significant commercial success. However, a coast-to-coast rivalry emerged, leading to tensions and the tragic deaths of several artists. Despite this, rap continued to evolve with subgenres like gangsta rap, conscious rap, and alternative rap gaining prominence.

2000s-Present: Global Expansion and Diversification

Rap's global reach became evident in the 2000s, with artists from every corner of the world creating their own regional rap scenes. Today, rap has diversified even further, incorporating elements from other genres and giving birth to subgenres like trap, drill, and emo rap.