Thoughts and Omissions
The Davey D Theory is extremely comprehensive, analyzing the origins of Hip-hop from multiple perspectives, such as slavery, reverend sermons, and african music/dance. He cites many influential hip hop artists as evoltionaries that raised the popularity and skill level of hip hop over time. But, while Davey D tends to take a more African based stance on the roots of Hip-hop, I would like to discuss the influence of blue grass music on rap.
"Hip-hop music emerged from the de-industrialization and grinding poverty of the South Bronx in the mid-1970s. By looping beats from soul and funk records and creating rhythmic lyrics to perform over the beats, early hip-hop producers created a medium that reflected and expanded upon the culture from which it emerged. Appalachian music, with its driving banjo songs and haunting fiddle tunes, is similarly rooted in the surrounding culture, reflecting the experiences of labor struggles in coalmines and the rhythms of day to day life in the rural Central Appalachian Mountains. Hip-hop relies on the blending and layering of pre-recorded sounds. Producers recycle musical samples to produce new compositions, create new meanings, and expand both the original and the newly produced music. Traditional Appalachian music provides a rich base for this sort of expansion and re-working."
(http://www.appalshop.org/h2h/musicmix.php)
In the struggle of the Bronx in the 1970s, Hip-hop emerged as an outlet for the black common man. Similarily, in the surrounding areas, blue grass became a release for the hardships of daily life in the rural Central Appalachian Mountains. Both sounds are derived from common people releasing their emotion through hard times and why their own experience "sucks."
The Davey D Theory, in conjunction with the Vibe History of Hip-hop, highlights the different aspects of the African-American stuggle throughout the 1970s. The Unofficial Timeline provides further insight into the course of events and supplies a concrete date for each milestone event in the evolution of Hip-hop.
As food for thought, I think that the strong ties of Hip-hop to daily hardships provides the listner with a direct connection to the lyrics/sounds that he hears. All across the world, people are struggling to survive, and Hip-hop lets them know that they are not alone. These rappers are fighting to live every day. These rappers used to be in their situation and have risen above their problems, thus providing an inspiration to the troubled listner. In America, and all over the world, people can relate to what the Hip-hop artist raps about. The growing popularity of Hip-hop comes straight out of audiences all over the world wanting to hear what this person actually has to say. We do not live in a happy world. Regardless of race, everyone will go through personal strife at some point in their lives. When that occurs, when someone is feeling down and depressed, they may turn to an alternate point of view, the rappers view, for motivation, solutions, or simply enjoyment to endure their horrid existence. Conversely, when someone is elated, they may also turn to Hip-hop to accentuate their pleasure. The sound of the beats coupled with the rhythm of the song may stimulate the ear of the content listner and provide even more pleasure. In the world today, there are more and more listeners suitable for the genre of Hip-hop music. And, it all grew out of a group of individuals being able to identify with a certain person, a certain sound, and a certain movement.
"Hip-hop music emerged from the de-industrialization and grinding poverty of the South Bronx in the mid-1970s. By looping beats from soul and funk records and creating rhythmic lyrics to perform over the beats, early hip-hop producers created a medium that reflected and expanded upon the culture from which it emerged. Appalachian music, with its driving banjo songs and haunting fiddle tunes, is similarly rooted in the surrounding culture, reflecting the experiences of labor struggles in coalmines and the rhythms of day to day life in the rural Central Appalachian Mountains. Hip-hop relies on the blending and layering of pre-recorded sounds. Producers recycle musical samples to produce new compositions, create new meanings, and expand both the original and the newly produced music. Traditional Appalachian music provides a rich base for this sort of expansion and re-working."
(http://www.appalshop.org/h2h/musicmix.php)
In the struggle of the Bronx in the 1970s, Hip-hop emerged as an outlet for the black common man. Similarily, in the surrounding areas, blue grass became a release for the hardships of daily life in the rural Central Appalachian Mountains. Both sounds are derived from common people releasing their emotion through hard times and why their own experience "sucks."
The Davey D Theory, in conjunction with the Vibe History of Hip-hop, highlights the different aspects of the African-American stuggle throughout the 1970s. The Unofficial Timeline provides further insight into the course of events and supplies a concrete date for each milestone event in the evolution of Hip-hop.
As food for thought, I think that the strong ties of Hip-hop to daily hardships provides the listner with a direct connection to the lyrics/sounds that he hears. All across the world, people are struggling to survive, and Hip-hop lets them know that they are not alone. These rappers are fighting to live every day. These rappers used to be in their situation and have risen above their problems, thus providing an inspiration to the troubled listner. In America, and all over the world, people can relate to what the Hip-hop artist raps about. The growing popularity of Hip-hop comes straight out of audiences all over the world wanting to hear what this person actually has to say. We do not live in a happy world. Regardless of race, everyone will go through personal strife at some point in their lives. When that occurs, when someone is feeling down and depressed, they may turn to an alternate point of view, the rappers view, for motivation, solutions, or simply enjoyment to endure their horrid existence. Conversely, when someone is elated, they may also turn to Hip-hop to accentuate their pleasure. The sound of the beats coupled with the rhythm of the song may stimulate the ear of the content listner and provide even more pleasure. In the world today, there are more and more listeners suitable for the genre of Hip-hop music. And, it all grew out of a group of individuals being able to identify with a certain person, a certain sound, and a certain movement.
Observations:
- Check Kanye West Video Footage from Universal Urban for the music video of, "Jesus Walks." The video is a great example of a modern rapper refrencing certain Hip-hop roots in the form of a reverend delivering his sermon.
posted by Ben Bloom at 7:36 AM
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