A BRIEF INTRO TO RAP MUSIC'S ORIGIN

The history of Rap had never been a big deal to me because I always saw it as rhythmic poetry recited to tight beats. Rap is a form of music in the Hip Hop Culture which is a means of self expression which tends to reflect the rapper’s personality. Take the rap styles of Twista and Mase as a case study.

Rap began among the African Americans in the late 70’s and early 80’s where disco was popular. Rap started in the west Bronx of New York by a Jamaican Disk Jockey (DJ) known as Kool Herc. Back then rap was called MC-ing (emceeing). He used to DJ and MC at parties but after a while he left the MC-ing to his friends so he could focus on the complexities of Dj-ing. This blend can be seen in the ‘collabo’ of fresh prince (the MC) and jazzy Jeff (DJ).

In the absence of rap records, people used to gather around at street corners just to listen to MCs or anyone who could ‘spit bars’. This could go on all night. The ultimate aim? To be perceived as ‘def’ by those in attendance. Most of the MCs rhymed on a count of four beats as opposed to the complex patterns of 16 bars we enjoy today. The cheer of the crowd meant that they were ‘tight’ while the ‘boo’ of the crowd meant that they were whack. Back then the DJs used an audio mixer and two identical records to elongate the instrumental or percussion sections of popular songs. Break beats became popular as MCs sought to find new ways of rapping longer.

The MCs would use a microphone to holler at the ‘homies in the joint’. It usually would evoke a response from the crowd.

With time more complicated, already written rhymes where being used. And rappers had to practice the art of showmanship by creating routines that made their rhyming more entertaining. Unlike the crotch grabbing and prancing around rappers of these days do. I reserve my comment on whom. Soon the battle for respect became the focus of the rap content.

Take my advice; watch the movie, Eight Mile. If you look closely, you will notice that it’s the rappers who project the most of the Hip Hop culture.