HIP HOP AND ITS TRANSFORMATION

DEFINITION OF HIP-HOP

Many people cannot describe what Hip hop is and if they do their definition is wrong. Hip Hop is a broad conglomerate of different artistic forms that are: rap music(oral) turntablism or DJing, breaking and b-boy which is the physical part of hiphop, and graffiti art which is the visual part.

It originated in the South Bronx and Harlem in New York City among black and Latino youth during the 1970's. Hip Hop associates the music to the poverty and violence going on in their environment. Hip hop therefore functioned as a source of providing a reactionary outlet from these hardships.

This term is frequently used mistakenly to refer to the mere practice of rap music. It is more of a lifestyle.

Street gangs were prevalent in the poverty of the South Bronx and sensing that gang members often violent urgescold be turned tocreative ones, Afrika Bambaataa found the Zulu nation  which was a loose confederation of street dance crews, graffiti artists and rap musicians. The culture gained media attention with influential figures such as Dj Cool Herc coming up.By 1985, youth worldwide had embraced the culture.

NEW SCHOOL HIPHOP MUSIC

The new school of hip hop originated in 1983  to 1984 withe arly records of Run-D.M.C and LL Cool J. It contrasted with the old school due to its characteristics like drum machines and some rock fusion unlike the funk and disco outfits and live bands.






The music was shorter and could easily gain radio play. By 1986,it went mainstream with the Beastie Boys' album becoming the first to hit #1 on the Billboard charts.

Over time, hip hop music led to rivalry between two sides of the United States of America that is the East coast and West coast.This led to the deaths of two hip hop legends Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smallz.

Hip hop has since evolved with minimal gang wars since it is done commercially and truth be, it sells and many people make money out of hip hop rap music.

                                                        KENYAN HIP HOP
Kenyan hip hop was also not left behind with one of the earliest hip hop artist, Jimmy Gathu releasing a track in 1991, a song dealing with road safety. The first commercial hiphop hit came in 1996 by Harstone, a song called Uhiki produced by Tedd Josiah. Other popular pioneers are Kalamashaka, Poxi Presha, Gidi Gidi Maji Maji, Necessary noize, Redsan, Nameless,Wawesh, The late Esir and many others up to now.