Minds On
Today’s vocabulary
Hip Hop started in the 1970s in the New York City by urban youth in Black and Latino communities. Hip Hop has four core elements: Breakdancing, MCing, Graffiti, and DJing.
MCing is another word for rapping. Rapping is a complex musical form that incorporates rhyme and rhythmic speech that is chanted or rapped over a backing beat or musical accompaniment.
DJ's use a record player as an instrument by spinning part of the record to make a beat.
A style of dance that evolved as part of the hip-hop culture from Black and Latinx communities in New York in the 1970s. This style of dance is usually improvised (the dancer makes it up on the spot) and involves various footwork, moves, and body bases (e.g., back or head spins). Also called b-boying/girling or breaking.
Graffiti is a style of art where writings or drawings are drawn or sprayed on a wall or another surface in a public place.
A stereotype is an idea or image of a particular type of person or thing that is oversimplified and believed by many people.
Let’s get started!
Music has been used throughout history to tell stories, teach, entertain, connect, and advocate for social change. Music is diverse, and how we experience music is also diverse and shaped by our personal and cultural identities.
Music can act as a form of empowerment and resistance for some individuals and communities. In this learning activity, we are going to learn about the history of Hip Hop and begin to understand how young people are using Hip Hop to express themselves, promote justice and equity, and empower those around them.
What is Hip Hop?
What words and images come to your mind when you think about “Hip Hop?”
Record your ideas in the following What is Hip Hop? mind map. You can also record your ideas using another method of your choice.
Consider adding your work to your portfolio.
As we learn more about Hip Hop, we will add our new learning to this mind map and use these ideas to create our own definition of Hip Hop.
Check it out!
Examine the following images. These images represent the core four elements of Hip Hop.
Does this make you think of any new words or images that you can add to your “What is Hip Hop?” mind map?
Action
Get ready, get set…
Hip Hop is resourceful
As described in the book Rhymes to Re-Education: A Hip Hop Curriculum Hip Hop is resourceful. Hip Hop started in the 1970s in New York City by urban youth in Black and Latino communities. Due to the expensive nature of “traditional” instruments and music lessons, many people could not afford them. Therefore, they created their own methods to express themselves.
- DJs used a record player as an instrument by spinning part of the record to make a beat.
- Break dancers danced on the street using cardboard boxes beneath them.
- Graffiti artists used street walls as canvasses to express their creativity.
- Beatboxers used their mouth as an instrument to re-create a variety of sounds at the same time.
Hip Hop was born out of creativity and innovation. Decades later, Hip Hop has become one of the most popular and influential artistic, social, and cultural movements. Hip Hop has experienced many transformations, but has roots in anti-oppression, pride, and resistance.
Did You Know?
Anti-oppression
What does anti-oppression mean?
Anti-oppression acknowledges that individuals and groups of people are not treated equally, and that some communities continue to experience such oppression. It involves taking direct action to eliminate this oppression. It is important to learn about history because it helps the audience to understand what is being communicated through music, and how communities are using music to promote justice and equity.
The core four elements
Hip Hop is more than music, it is a culture. Afrika Bambaataa of the “Zulu Nation” articulated the core four elements of Hip Hop in the 1980s. The core four elements are: Breakdancing, MCing, Graffiti, and DJing.
In the early days of Hip Hop, communities gathered in neighbourhoods to play music and dance. DJs used record players as instruments to loop and play music. The “master of ceremonies” or MC would encourage and entertain guests in between DJ sets. This role evolved into longer performances, which became known as MCing, or rapping.
Rapping is an important part of Hip Hop music. Rapping is a complex musical form that incorporates rhyme and rhythmic speech that is chanted or “rapped” over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The roots of rapping can be traced back to West Africa, where griots or storytellers used an oral tradition to tell stories rhythmically, with percussion.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
What else might be a part of Hip Hop culture? Consider adding these ideas to your What is Hip Hop? from the Minds On.
When you’re ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal some additional elements of Hip Hop.
Legendary rapper KRS-One and his “Temple of Hip Hop” introduced the additional elements of Hip Hop. The additional elements are: fashion, knowledge, beat boxing, language and entrepreneurialism.
“Rapper’s Delight”
Let’s explore one of the first Hip Hop songs ever recorded: “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang.
The Sugarhill Gang – Rapper’s Delight
Released in 1979, “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang is the first rap hit single. The original song was 15 minutes long, and it was recorded in one take. A shorter version was recorded and played on mainstream radio stations, introducing Hip Hop to a new audience.
“Rapper’s Delight” was different from other rap songs that were being created because the lyrics were not political. This might be why it achieved mainstream success.
Examine these lyrics from “Rapper’s Delight.”
Rapper’s Delight
I said a hip hop the hippie to the hippie To the hip hip hop and you don’t stop The rock it to the bang bang the boogie Say up jump the boogie, dig the rhythm of the boogie, the beat
Skiddlee beebop a we rock a scooby doo And guess what, America: we love you ‘Cause ya rock and ya roll with so much soul You could rock ‘til you’re a hundred and one years old I don’t mean to brag I don’t mean to boast But we like hot butter on a breakfast toast Rock it up, uh, baby bubbah Baby bubbah to the boogie the bang bang the boogie To the beat beat, it’s so unique Come on, everybody, and dance to the beat
A hip hop the hippie the hippie To the hip hip hop and you don’t stop The rock it out baby boppa to the boogity bang bang Boogie to the boogie, the beat
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
The lyrics of “Rapper’s Delight” use a technique called alliteration. Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonants in words.
What else do you notice about the lyrics to “Rapper’s Delight?” How does the artist use alliteration, rhyme, and repetition to create a rhythmic beat?
When you’re ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal a possible answer.
The repetition of sounds spoken quickly resembles the percussion of a drumbeat and creates an energetic tempo that makes you want to dance. The artist uses rhyme to create sounds that are pleasing and predictable. The playful repetition helps to create a pattern through rhythm and emphasizes a joyful feeling.
Why do you think this song might have been so important when it first came out? What is this song about? Who do you think the audience is for this song? Why do you think this?
Go!
Music as empowerment
Let’s explore two contemporary Hip Hop artists and think about how music can act as a form of empowerment for some individuals and communities.
Spotlight: Shad
Shadrach Kabango, better known as Shad or Shad K, was born in Kenya to Rwandan parents and grew up in London, Ontario. He is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and broadcaster who has released six albums. Shad won a Juno award for Rap Recording of the Year in 2011. He continues to share his passion and knowledge about Hip Hop music and culture.
Shad wrote the song “Brother (Watching)” in 2007. In this song, he shares observations about how Black youth are often misrepresented in the media. Shad advocates for Black youth to disrupt any stereotypes and identifies the importance of promoting brilliance and excellence to support Black youth.
What does “stereotype” mean? Press the ‘Definition’ button to reveal the definition of this word.
A stereotype is an idea or belief many people have about a thing or group which may be untrue or only partly true.
“Brother (Watching)”
Explore the following lyrics and audio clip from Shad’s song, “Brother (Watching).”
“Brother (Watching)”
Brother (Watching)
So what the new Black activists do For our freedom is just being them Do what you’re passionate to Not confined by a sense that you have to disprove Any stereotypes, so-called facts to refute Or match any image of Blackness They’ve established as true Perhaps we’ll break thru the glass ceilings Shatter the roof and emerge From these boxes that they have us in cooped And grow to smash the mold that they casted of you I’ll keep watching…
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
How does Shad describe the experience of being stereotyped? How does Shad encourage the audience to respond?
Record your ideas using a method of your choice. If possible, share your ideas with a partner.
When you’re ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal a possible answer to this question.
Shad uses the words “confined,” “so-called facts,” “glass ceiling,” and “boxes” to describe how it feels to be put into a category or a group that does not feel true or positive. Shad encourages the audience to be proud of their identity, to “do what you’re passionate to” and to “smash the mold that they casted of you.”
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Spotlight: Queen Latifah
Elaine Dana Owens, known professionally as Queen Latifah, was born and raised in New Jersey, USA. She rose to fame in the early 1990s as a dominant female rapper. Queen Latifah is a Grammy award winning singer-songwriter, rapper, actress, and producer, who has released seven albums. She is also the author of a book about self-respect called Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman.
Queen Latifah writes about her strengths and struggles as a Black woman. Her first album, All Hail the Queen includes the song “Ladies First,” which is a song about female empowerment in society and within the music industry. She believes that all women should feel like queens and her music reflects this confidence and pride.
Explore the following lyrics and audio clip from Queen Latifah’s song “Ladies First.”
“Ladies First”
Ladies First
I break into a lyrical freestyle Grab the mic, look at the crowd and see smiles Cause they see a woman standing up on her own two Sloppy slouching is something I won’t do Some think that we can’t flow (can’t flow) Stereotypes, they got to go (got to go) I’m a mess around and flip the scene into reverse (With what?) With a little touch of “Ladies First”
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
How does Queen Latifah use her music to empower women? Why is it important for musical artists to reflect diversity?
Record your ideas using a method of your choice. If possible, share your ideas with a partner.
When you’re ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal a possible answer to this question.
Queen Latifah challenges the traditional expectations of women by standing with pride and refusing to be “sloppy slouching.” She acknowledges that some people “think that we can’t flow” and clearly states that “stereotypes have got to go.” It is important for musical artists to reflect the diversity of the audience, because it inspires young people to believe they can achieve similar success.
Consolidation
Putting it all together
What’s it all about?
We have been learning about the history of Hip Hop and thinking about how music can be a powerful way to express personal and cultural identities. Music can also be a call to action and created in response to oppression and negative stereotypes. Hip Hop empowers young people to find their voice, and promote justice, equality, and love.
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
After exploring a few examples of Hip Hop lyrics and songs, what has changed about your understanding of Hip Hop?
Let’s return to your original definition of Hip Hop from the beginning of this activity. Is there anything that you can add to reflect what you have learned about the music and culture of Hip Hop?
Consider updating your What is Hip Hop? mind map with your updated definition.
Share your ideas with a partner, if possible.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel…
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.