Hip-hop music began in the 1970s. It basically involved a manipulation of sound in an artistic manner. This art of sound manipulation was referred to as turntablism. It also involved beating of drums and simultaneous break-looping. Rapping was later combined with this art by MCs, and this resulted in the birth of hip-hop music.
The art of hip-hop dance later emerged, and it was often accompanied by hip-hop music. The old break and funk styles of dance were usually performed on the streets. As time passed, new styles came up and were referred to as the New School.
Hip-hop is characterized by four elements that make the genre unique. These are Djing, graffiti, MCing (which is basically rapping) and b-boying, also known as break dancing. All these elements were inspired by urban culture.
At the beginning of 1970, dance parties were organized at DJ Kool Hercs’ home. The parties were later done outdoors with the aim of accommodating the growing number of hip-hop fanatics, especially teenagers. This created a perfect platform for them to express their opinions properly through dancing. They also united since they stopped fighting and instead enjoyed break dancing with each other. With that said, it is evident that hip-hop helped reduce violence among young people.
The word ‘rap’ is a slang word that means ‘conversation,’ which was actually seen in the art of hip-hop since MCs talked to cheer dancers while music was being played. In the olden days, artists introduced themselves using rap but those in the millennial generation incorporate lyrics in their rapping. Hip-hop has changed over time, and dance styles differ across the world today.