Changes

'''Hip-hop''', or '''rap''', is a music style that originated in the early to mid-1970s in the [[United States]], particularly in [[Bronx]], [[New York]]. Hip hop performances generally consist of two main roles, [[DJ]]ing (producing live beats and sounds, or more commonly, [[sample|sampling]] from existing records and breaks) and [[rap|MCing]] or rapping (vocals). Hip hop is one of two genres of music invented in the [[United States]] (the other being [[jazz]]).

'''Hip-hop''', or '''[[rap]]''', is a music style that originated in the [[African American]] communities in the early to mid-1970s in the [[United States]], particularly in [[Bronx]], [[New York]]. Hip hop performances generally consist of two main roles, [[DJ]]ing (producing live beats and sounds, or more commonly, [[sample|sampling]] from existing records and breaks) and [[rap|MCing]] or rapping (vocals). Hip hop is one of two genres of music invented in the [[United States]] (the other being [[jazz]]).

More so than any other music genre, hip hop vocals are similar to regular speech, however it incorporates various vocal techniques and rhymes. Traditional singing often only appears during the chorus. Musically, hip-hop evolved from hard [[funk]] and [[soul]], electro and frequently [[sample|samples]] such records.

More so than any other music genre, hip hop vocals are similar to regular speech, however it incorporates various vocal techniques and rhymes. Traditional singing often only appears during the chorus. Musically, hip-hop evolved from hard [[funk]] and [[soul]], electro and frequently [[sample|samples]] such records.

* DJing, ie playing the records that provided the musical background for rapping

* DJing, ie playing the records that provided the musical background for rapping

* breakdancing

* breakdancing

* [[graffiti]], in the disctinctive style that has now spread all over the world.

* [[graffiti]], in the distinctive style that has now spread all over the world.

However, hip-hop graffiti and dancing are now niche interests whose popularity is dwarfed by the global ubiquity of hip-hop music. Even DJing is now largely marginalised, as modern hip-hop music is mainly performed by solo rappers over pre-produced beats, rather than the crews of rappers and DJs who were popular in the early days of the genre.

However, hip-hop graffiti and dancing are now niche interests whose popularity is dwarfed by the global ubiquity of hip-hop music. Even DJing is now largely marginalised, as modern hip-hop music is mainly performed by solo rappers over pre-produced beats, rather than the crews of rappers and DJs who were popular in the early days of the genre.

==Themes==

==Themes==

Lyrical themes often vary to a large extent, covering socio-political issues as well as lighter topics.

Lyrical themes often vary to a large extent, covering [[liberal]] socio-political issues as well as lighter topics.

==Criticism==

==Criticism==

Some hip hop music have been criticized due to the explicit nature of the lyrical content. From a contextual analysis, these lyrics can be seen as an expression of the poor living conditions and the negative culture that rises from such conditions.  These raps have Christian groups widely decry the sub-genre of [[gangsta rap]], because this emotional expression often demeans women and strongly promotes violence as well as an overly materialistic sense of life as a result. Songs such as "Big Pimpin'" by Jay-Z promote prostitution while songs like "**** Wit Dre Day" describe the performers Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre performing sexual acts. Songs like "Where the Hood At?" have become anthems for young gangs and some conservatives believe the songs incite listeners into behaving violently.

Some hip hop music have been criticized due to the [[pornographic|explicit]] nature of the lyrical content. From a contextual analysis, these lyrics can be seen as an expression of the poor living conditions and the negative culture that rises from such conditions.  These raps have Christian groups widely decry the sub-genre of [[gangsta rap]], because this emotional expression often demeans women and strongly promotes [[pornography]], [[drug abuse]], [[crime]] and [[violence]] as well as an overly [[materialism|materialistic]] sense of life as a result. Songs such as "Big Pimpin'" by Jay-Z promote prostitution while songs like "**** Wit Dre Day" describe the performers [[Snoop Dogg]] and Dr. Dre performing sexual acts. Songs like "Where the Hood At?" have become anthems for young [[gang]]s and some conservatives believe the songs incite listeners into behaving violently.

However, not all hip-hop promotes the street culture.  Some positive hip-hop artists, especially those who are under the genre of Christian rap, still stick to traditional moral values in their music.

However, not all hip-hop promotes the street culture.  Some positive hip-hop artists, especially those who are under the genre of Christian rap, still stick to traditional moral values in their music.

*[[American Music]]

*[[American Music]]

[[category:musical Genres]]

[[Category:Musical Genres]]

[[Category:Liberalism]]