Hip-Hop

music genre · New York City · African-American culture · DJ culture

Rapping is central. Rapping, where artists speak rhythmic lyrics over beats, became the defining sound of hip-hop and is what most people think of when they hear the genre.

DJs pioneered it. Disc jockeys (DJs) were the creators who used turntables to mix and scratch records, building the musical foundation that rappers would perform over.

Born in New York. Hip-hop emerged in the early 1970s in New York City from African-American and Afro-Caribbean communities who blended their musical traditions into something entirely new.

Multiple sounds mixed. Beyond rapping, hip-hop includes beatboxing (making drum sounds with your mouth), scratching records, and instrumental tracks that all work together to create the full sound.

Talks about real life. Hip-hop artists have always used their music to comment on their surroundings and communities, making it both entertaining and meaningful.