Rapping

Macklemore’s hit song “Same Love” creates the following point of entry to the conversation of rap: it illustrates homosexuality in a positive light. Throughout rap’s history, many rappers have thrived by implementing gay slurs into their songs. On the contrary to earlier rap songs, Macklemore takes a different approach by celebrating being gay, instead of being ashamed by it. For example, in the middle of the song, he says being gay is, “Human rights for everybody there is no difference! Live on…

The Boundaries of Appreciation and Appropriation Have you ever had something that was yours taken? It is not a pleasurable feeling and its negative impact is increasingly more severe when something that has belonged to you and your culture has been seized. At some point in every African American child’s life they are immersed in hip-hop culture. I was practically raised off Run-D.M.C., Missy Elliott, and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. When “Rock the House” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh…

and only B.I.G, a.k.a biggie, his real name being Christopher Wallace. Many people think Biggie and Tupac were the ones to start the art of rap, But really they only made it better in their era. Plenty of people had talent and when it came to rapping we had Beatboxers, singers, lyricists and much more. One of the biggest questions was how people would use their hands or feet to make sounds to go along with the rhythm, so the beat never stops. One of my personal Favorites who could make the…

femcee uses sex to sell does not mean she can’t be empowering. While this is true, empowerment based on sexual conquests is antithetical to self-agency. Critiquing a female artist who prides herself on being a feminist role model for young women while rapping about having sex in exchange for status or money is not the same as policing black women’s right to sexual liberation. The brash, unapologetic sexuality of Nicki Minaj, Trina, or CupcakKe, is not the problem, it is their lyrics consistently…

Rap As “Real” As It Gets Chances are, if you ask any person if they’ve heard rap, or have ever had fun trying to write their own raps they’ll say yes. “The most interesting finding however is that hip-hop is the world's top genre, showing up on playlists more than all others, regardless of geography or language.” (Independent.com). Rap/Hip-Hop has become the fastest moving musical phenomenon in recent years, maybe even bigger than the Rock-n-Roll explosion of the 1950’s. But what makes…

brings attention to the group. At least its most of the time good attention the group gets. This visual is also the one to most likely go on variety shows to again promote themselves and their group. Sometimes if they have the best vocals, dance, or rapping skills, then they will definitely be front and center. The only issue is, is that some fans or non-fans don’t agree with this chosen visual. It is the manager of the group that can choose this visual. However, when it comes to it, there could…

The History of Rap/Hip-Hop Rapping, also known as rhyming, spitting, and emceeing it is still referred to as rap and hip-hop. But, it seems that nobody ever talks about the story of how rap and hip-hop started. The history of rap and hip-hop was not only the start of a genre but, something new and creative. Rap and Hip-hop has an interesting origin story, has influenced by different genres of music, and created a new movement of freedom of speech. Dating back to the 60s and 70s in the South…

to steer Rap of its intended course and purpose from the voice of the streets to being the voice of corporations What is Hip Hop? It is a name for the 4 elements of the late 70 's New York City renaissance which includes break dancing, emceeing (rapping), graffiti, and turntablism. It was birthed at the end of the Disco era and the first rap was released in 1979, “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugar Hill Gang. The first verse of the…

“Now let’s get it all in perspective”. This lyric from “Made You Look” by Nas, one of the greatest rappers of all-time, perfectly defines what I have learned about hip-hop this semester. This course has provided me with a new meaning as to what hip-hop really was like, how the whole movement got started, and what the lifestyle really consisted of. Through listening to song recordings, going through in-depth lyrical analyses, thoroughly reading book chapters, and attending and listening to Dr.…

Rap music has enjoyed popularity in American culture. It is a musical art form that tells a story in a fast, shortened word fashion while providing a heavy background beat. The content of rap music covers a wide range. Rap has changed America not only with the message it sends, but with clothing, language, and all the culture it comes with. We can see the power of influence Rap music has had on the recent generation through the 1990s West Coast vs East Coast hip hop scenes in the United States…