{"id":137348,"date":"2023-08-24T15:00:49","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T14:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/centmagazine.co.uk\/?p=137348"},"modified":"2025-06-30T10:23:02","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T09:23:02","slug":"hip-hop-50-years-and-rising-still-to-the-top","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/?p=137348","title":{"rendered":"Hip-Hop 50 Years, and Rising  Still to the Top"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Hip-Hop has been an influence and an inspiration for many artists and producers and is also acclaimed globally by fans and critics alike.  It may be hard to believe that the genre is turning 50 years old.  This style of music has always been about beat and rhythm, words and tempo being at its core rather than melodious tunes. Find out more in <em>Hip-Hop 50 Years and Rising Still to the Top <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Hip-Hop from its earliest days was all about the beats, rhythms, tempo and words. At its core, it was and always will be a pared-back sound musically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Hip-Hop was born from the grit and dirt steaming out of the ghettos of New York City. Squaller and filth gave it its authenticity. Starting out in a period of decline for the city itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">It may be hard to believe that this universal style is now 50 years old. Here we explore hip-hop and its sub-genres through the generations from key visionaries to female rappers including different timelines and key exponents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">So let&#8217;s start with who may well be considered the founding father, the man himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>DJ Kool Herc<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Clive Campbell known as DJ Kool Herc is an American DJ who threw the back-to-school jams (party) for his sister Cindy Campbell at 1520 Sedgewick Avenue which became known as the birthplace of the genre.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"DJ Kool Herc and the birth of hip-hop | Christie&#039;s\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Jdb3MTz7xXg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Campbell&#8217;s announcements and exhortations to dancers would lead to the syncopated, rhymed spoken accompaniment to be now known as rapping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">However, he dubbed his dancers &#8220;break-boys&#8221; and &#8220;fly-girls&#8221;, or simply &#8220;b-boys&#8221; and &#8220;f-girls&#8221;. According to Herc, &#8220;breaking&#8221; was also street slang for &#8220;getting excited&#8221; and &#8220;acting energetically&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Along with Kool Herc, there was Coke La Rock who is often recognised as the first MC in the history of hip-hop to rap as his&nbsp;rhymes were usually shout-outs to friends, but gradually the poetry emerged which cultivated the use of rhymes and syllables in rap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">He originated such phrases as &#8220;You rock and you don&#8217;t stop,&#8221; and &#8220;Hotel, motel, you don&#8217;t tell, we won&#8217;t tell&#8221; which was immortalized on the first Sugarhill Gang single &#8220;Rapper&#8217;s Delight&#8221;, although La Rock received no credit from the song.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">It gave young African Americans a voice to let their issues be heard; &#8220;Like rock-and-roll, hip-hop is vigorously opposed by conservatives because it romanticises violence, law-breaking, and gangs&#8221;.&nbsp;It also gave people a chance for financial gain by &#8220;reducing the rest of the world to consumers of its social concerns.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Timeline of Hip-Hop<\/span><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1979-1983 \u2013 The Old School Hip-Hop&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout the late 1970s and the early 80s, artists and DJs across America solidified hip-hop\u2019s major elements such as beatboxing, rapping, scratching, and sampling funk and jazz records like James Brown and Rick James.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Both male and female artists took centre stage. MC Sha-Rock was the first female artist to rap on the microphone during the early days of hip-hop as she was part of a group called &#8220;The Funky Four Plus One&#8221; which started from 1977 to 1983.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Funky Four Feel It (The Mexican)\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0QcgaY8SRgA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The Funky Four Plus Feel It (The Mexican), 1983<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Sugarhill Gang\u2019s iconic track \u201cRapper\u2019s Delight\u201d in 1979 which samples Chic\u2019s \u201cGood Times\u201d was recognized as the first hip-hop recording to gain widespread popularity as it became a Top 40 hit in the U.S. and saw more success around the world charting in the U.K and Canada.&nbsp;Hip-Hop became mainstream for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Sugarhill Gang - Rapper&#039;s Delight (Official Video)\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mcCK99wHrk0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Sugarhill Gang Rapper&#8217;s Delight, 1979<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Double D and DJ Steinski<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Double D and DJ Steinski are a producer duo comprised of Doug &#8220;Double D&#8221; DiFranco and Steven &#8220;Steinski&#8221; Stein who achieved critical acclaim in the early 1980s through their series of sampled-based mixes called &#8220;The Lessons&#8221;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Double D and DJ Steinski \u2013 The Payoff Mix (Lesson 1)<\/span><\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Double Dee &amp; Steinski - Lesson 1_The Payoff Mix\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/B6ru96Up554?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Double D and DJ Steinski Lesson 1 (The Payoff Mix) 1983<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The first lesson record was recorded in 1983 and was released by Tommy Boy Records. Packed with a lot of samples from other records, it was not only funk and disco that&nbsp;were in the record but it was short snippets of songs from Little Richard and The Supremes along with vocal samples from sources of tap-dancing records and Humphrey Bogart films.  It was critically acclaimed but never only a few copies were printed because of the amount of sampling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">This time period saw a rising lot of first-time artists in the genre such as Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five as well as Kurtis Blow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">By the mid-1980s, rappers began to draw inspiration from other musical styles such as electronic and rock music. For instance, Afrika Bambaataa\u2019s \u201cPlanet Rock\u201d, 1982 which samples Kraftwerk\u2019s \u201cTrans-Europe Express\u201d and \u201cNumbers\u201d signalled a shift towards diversification and experimentation within hip-hop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Afrika Bambaataa &amp; Soulsonic Force - Planet Rock\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_rlUQsC8ECk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Afrika Bambaataa Planet Rock, 1982<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Def Jam Recordings<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">A major opening of the genre came with record labels who produced and distributed their own artists. Two key labels were Def Jam Recordings and Tommy Boy Records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-6.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"442\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-6.png?resize=580%2C442&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-137517\" style=\"width:468px;height:357px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-6.png?resize=1024%2C781&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-6.png?resize=300%2C229&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-6.png?resize=768%2C586&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-6.png?resize=1536%2C1172&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-6.png?resize=1200%2C916&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-6.png?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Def Jam was co-founded in 1984 by Rick Rubin who created the label in his dormitory room using his loans from his parents whilst at New York University bringing along Russell Simmons as a partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Beastie Boys - No Sleep Till Brooklyn (Official Music Video)\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/07Y0cy-nvAg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Beastie Boys No Sleep Till Brooklyn, 1986 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Rubin helped popularize&nbsp;hip-hop&nbsp;by producing records for acts such as the&nbsp;Beastie Boys,&nbsp;Geto Boys,&nbsp;Run-DMC,&nbsp;Public Enemy, and&nbsp;LL Cool J. He has also produced hit records for acts from a variety of other genres, predominantly&nbsp;heavy metal&nbsp;Nu metal and even country. In 2007, Rubin was called &#8220;the most important producer of the last 20 years&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Simmons is an American entrepreneur, writer and&nbsp;record executive. As well as co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, he has created the clothing fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and Tantris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"LL COOL J - I NEED A BEAT THE ORIGINAL VERSION\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BVkaN--0ld0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">LL Cool J I Need a Beat, 1985 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Tommy Boy Records <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-7.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-7.png?resize=580%2C580&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-137518\" style=\"width:275px;height:275px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-7.png?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-7.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-7.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Tommy Boy is an American independent record label that was founded in 1981 by Tom Silverman in his New York apartment with a $5,000 loan from his parents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The label was an outgrowth of Silverman&#8217;s&nbsp;Dance Music Report&nbsp;bi-weekly publication, which spanned 14 years, beginning in September 1978. The artists currently on the label include De La Soul, Africa Bambaataa, Naughty by Nature and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Naughty by Nature - Hip Hop Hooray (Official Music Video)\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Rz1Xn1vzOM4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Naughty By Nature Hip-Hop Hooray, 1992<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1983-1997 \u2013 The Golden Age of Hip-Hop&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The early to mid-1980s gave rise to hip-hop\u2019s second wave, also known as new school hip-hop, which saw a departure from many of the older traits.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">New school artists made shorter songs with minimalist, drum machine-led production that often sampled from rock, and party rhymes were replaced with rapped braggadocio and a greater emphasis on socio-political commentary. More stripped back than earlier incarnations, the sound was harder and stronger<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">New school rappers such as Run-D.M.C were released during this period as their self-titled album became the first hip-hop record to earn an RIAA Gold certification and the music video for the album\u2019s third single, \u201cRock Box,\u201d released in 1984 was the first rap video played on MTV.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"RUN DMC - Rock Box (Official Video)\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GND7sPNwWko?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Run &#8211; D.M.C Rock Box, 1984<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The group\u2019s popularity and commercial appeal helped to spur the shift away from the genre\u2019s previous influences and opened the door for further experimentation during the 1980s and \u201990s that would characterize an era known as the golden age of hip-hop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Interestingly, there was still a female presence. Salt-N-Pepa, which consisted of Cheryl \u2018Salt\u2019 James and Sandra \u2018Pepa\u2019 Denton along with DJ Spinderella forged their way through the male-dominated world of rap and hip-hop; built a following, and made statements through their music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Formed in 1985, Salt-N-Pepa was one of the first all-female rap groups that made a huge impact on the music world by changing the look of hip-hop and being unafraid to talk about previously thought taboo topics. The group had a list of hit singles including: \u201cLet\u2019s Talk About Sex,\u201d \u201cWhat a Man,\u201d \u201cShoop,\u201d and \u201cPush It\u201d which were popular and still are today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Salt-N-Pepa - Push It (Official Music Video)\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vCadcBR95oU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Salt-N-Pepa Push It, 1986<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">This early period saw the rise of MC Lyte who was the first solo rapper to release her own, full-length album, and is still considered one of the pioneers of female rap as she MC Lyte\u2019s&nbsp;Lyte As A Rock which dropped in 1988 and became successful and jumpstarted her career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lyte Thee MC\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DF5EB0z81UM?list=OLAK5uy_kmsyR-OUTHlAwBBnIyEexGWyZgYlReVu4\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">MC Lyte Lyte Thee MC, 1988 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">It was often recognized for the innovation and diversity of sound and overall influence. During this time, rappers\u2019 wordplay became more complex, and songs were a political commentary among struggles in everyday life such as crime, drugs, violence, and the economy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Public Enemy - Fight The Power (Official Music Video)\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mmo3HFa2vjg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Public Enemy Fight the Power, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Samples added to core beats were often wide-ranging sourced from world music to film which was heavily used during the production of the golden age. Because this was such a new musical sound, many albums from the era didn\u2019t have legal clearance of the samples and sometimes got banned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Towards the end of the &#8217;80s saw the introduction of Gangsta Rap. This new style of rap contained lyrics that often depicted violence and activities related to street gangs, with Los Angeles-based rappers like N.W.A. and Ice-T. It grew into the 1990&#8217;s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1983-2000 &#8211; The Conscious Wave of Hip-Hop<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">While new school and golden era hip-hop artists enjoyed their mainstream successes, conscious rappers such as Nas and Common who both released albums in 1994 worked on a style that was counter to the genre\u2019s most popular forms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Nas - N.Y. State of Mind (Official Audio)\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hI8A14Qcv68?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Nas N.Y. State of Mind, 1994<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">They continued to experiment with sampling and production techniques that rappers used to express their views on a wide variety of topics including race, politics, poverty, and the environment in their music. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Common Sense - I Use To Love H.E.R.\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JxOZLCcke3A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Common I Used to Love H.E.R.,1994 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">This period also brought icons such as De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest who were heavily influenced by jazz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"De La Soul - Eye Know (Official Music Video) [HD] ft. Otis Redding\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/q9jCsOCfUUg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">De La Soul Eye Know, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">In contrast to mainstream hip-hop\u2019s tendency toward materialistic or violent subject matter, conscious rap was often seen as a more positive form to spread a message through the listeners to think critically about the world and their surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It? (Official HD Video)\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/O3pyCGnZzYA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">A Tribe Called Quest Can I Kick It?, 1990<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Queen Latifah is an American Rapper and actress who started her rap debut with the native tongue collective which consisted of De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, Monie Love and many others. She was one of the earliest female rappers in hip-hop as she made a name for herself talking about issues in the lives of black women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y.\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/f8cHxydDb7o?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Queen Latifah U.N.I.T.Y., 1993 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Songs like \u201cLadies First\u201d and \u201cU.N.I.T.Y.&#8221; released in 1989 and 1993 discussed domestic violence, street harassment, and the need for coalition-building between females and a change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1991- 1997 \u2013 The East vs West&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">This period saw the rise of East USA with West USA both producing distinctive sounds and also bringing violence alongside the fierce competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy (Official Video) [4K]\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_JZom_gVfuw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Notorious B.I.G Juicy, 1994<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">This was known as the rivalry between Tupac Shakur from Los Angeles(West Coast) and Notorious B.I.G from New York (East Coast) both released debut albums in 1991 and 1994 as they were beefing with each other as they&nbsp;were locked in a bitter conflict for stylistic dominance&nbsp;which resulted in their untimely deaths in 1996 and 1997.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">They were friends and co-artists initially, then they started falling out of friendship due to Tupac being shot in a studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"2Pac - Brenda&#039;s Got A Baby\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NRWUs0KtB-I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">2Pac Brenda&#8217;s Got a Baby, 1991<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Los Angeles and New York City were key cities in the growth of Hip-Hop during this time period. This era saw the release of landmark albums for both artists as well as others like Wu-Tang Clan\u2019s \u201cEnter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) released in 1993 and Dr. Dre\u2019s \u201cThe Chronic\u201d in 1992. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M. (Official HD Video)\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PBwAxmrE194?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Wu Tang Clan C.R.E.A.M, 1993 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The music from this period was characterized by aggressive, hardcore rap performances and politically charged lyrics that attacked social and racial injustices as the style generated plenty of controversy for its artists, gangsta rap was the most lucrative form of hip-hop during the mid-to-late 1990s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Dr Dre - Nuthin&#039; But A &quot;G&quot; Thang [Official Music Video]\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8GliyDgAGQI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Dre Nuthin&#8217; but a &#8220;G&#8221; Thang, 1992  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The Lady of Rage is an American rapper and actress who was pivotal to a number of essential rap movements as she was signed to Death Row Records. Death Row Records was referred to as &#8220;the most controversial record label in history&#8221;, due to one of the owners Suge Knight&#8217;s practice of hiring gang members and gang-related violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Lady of Rage&#8217;s biggest single to date &#8220;Afro Puffs&#8221; from the 1994 soundtrack of the movie &#8220;Above the Rim&#8221; was ranked number 57 on the US&nbsp;Billboard&nbsp;Hot 100 and number 5 on the Billboard US Hot Rap Songs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Lady Of Rage - Afro Puffs (Official Video)\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0vZApT1566E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The Lady of Rage Afro Puffs,1994<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1990 &#8211; 2005 \u2013 The rise of Southern Rap&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The southern hip scene began to rise as artists such as Ludacris, Three 6 Mafia and OutKast who rose to fame and are nationally and internationally renowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Geto Boys - Mind Playing Tricks On Me (Official Video) [Explicit]\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IJtHdkyo0hc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Geto Boys Mind Playing Tricks on Me, 1991 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Houston\u2019s Geto Boys were the first southern hip-hop group to gain mainstream popularity due in part to their hit \u201cMind Playing Tricks on Me,\u201d which was featured on their 1991 album We Can\u2019t Be Stopped. Texas-bred rappers Pimp C and Bun B of UGK furthered southern rap\u2019s influence in the mainstream through the smash hit \u201cBig Pimpin\u2019\u201d with Jay-Z in 2000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Jay-Z - Big Pimpin&#039; [Audio HQ]\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Q3SYtcPWubE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Jay-Z Big Pimpin, 2000<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Many artists came out of record labels set up by Master P, Bryan \u201cBirdman\u201d and Ronald \u201cSlim\u201d Williams. Throughout the &#8217;90s and the &#8217;00s, both released records from both artists such as Silk the Shocker and Juvenile; who released his album &#8220;400 Degreez&#8221; in 1998. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Juvenile - Follow Me Now\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dapv523rNNQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Juvenile Follow Me Now, 1998 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Shawntae Harris &#8211; Dupart known as Da Brat is an American Rapper who got her first big break when she won the top prize in a local contest in her hometown of Chicago, Illinois.  She met the wildly popular rap duo Kris Kross who introduced her to producer, Jermaine Dupri, who signed Da Brat to his So So Def label. She became one of the first female rappers to speak openly about her life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Her debut album&nbsp;<em>Funkdafied<\/em>&nbsp;was released in 1994 and entered the Rap Albums chart at No.11 which went platinum, making her the first female solo rapper to sell one million copies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Da Brat - Funkdafied\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/99JS6ym5FNE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Da Brat Funkdafied, 1994 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1997-2006 \u2013 The Bling Era of Hip-Hop<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The bling era brought forth a regression of the old school forms as music from this era placed a greater emphasis on beats rather than the lyrics as they were often focused on braggadocio and materialism whereas, the production was more futuristic as it included tight, R&amp;B styled hooks delivered by popular singers like Ashanti and Mariah Carey as well as pop and soul samples from the 70s and 80s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">It marked a time of great commercial success for rap and its artists, many of whom found themselves topping the charts throughout the decade as the golden era artists remained important figures in hip-hop during this period such as Dr. Dre, who went on to executive produce 50 Cent\u2019s debut album&nbsp;<em>Get Rich or Die Tryin\u2019<\/em> which was released in 2003. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"50 Cent - In Da Club (HQ)\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/L9rJ0vwBisE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">50 Cent In Da Club, 2003<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The advent of alternative distribution channels and the rise of online piracy led to a decline in album sales, effectively ending hip-hop\u2019s album era and ushering in the beginning of digital downloads and music streaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"JAY-Z - Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lpZgKI97K1M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Jay-Z Hard Knock Life 1998<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Jay-Z and Kanye West made astounding music together as both artists released solo albums and a collaborative album &#8220;Watch the Throne&#8221; which was released in 2011. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2004 \u2013 now \u2013 The Conscious Resurgence of Hip-Hop&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The conscious hip-hop sub-genre reemerged again in the mid-2000s as a timely response to the materialism that defined the bling era as rappers were looking to return to the tradition of rhyming about emotions and personal life experiences.  It gained traction with new audiences who had a renewed interest in independent artists as they also benefited from the use of the Internet for music consumption and promotion during this period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">A very prominent artist known in this era was Kendrick Lamar; who released his album &#8220;To Pimp a Butterfly&#8221; in 2015 along with his highest chart-topping single &#8220;Alright&#8221;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Alright\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JocAXINz-YE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Kendrick Lamar Alright, 2015<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2006- 2014 \u2013 The Blog Era of Hip-Hop&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">As the internet created new music distribution channels and record sales began to decline, emerging artists started using new tools to promote their releases and find new audiences for their music.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">At the start of what came to be known as the blog era, rapper Soulja Boy became one of the first artists to harness the power of the internet for music promotion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Using social media sites like Myspace and online video services like YouTube and UStream, Soulja Boy effectively marketed his way into a viral hit with \u201cCrank That (Soulja Boy)\u201d which was released in 2007. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Soulja Boy Tell&#039;em - Crank That (Soulja Boy) (Official Music Video)\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8UFIYGkROII?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Soulja Boy Crank That (Soulja Boy), 2007<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">During the blog era, music blogs and social media became crucial pathways that allowed artists to reach newer, younger, and wider audiences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Musically, hip-hop began to take a more melodic direction during this period as it removed barriers to entry into the music industry for many new artists at the start of their careers, including Drake, J. Cole, and Nicki Minaj, by allowing them to self-publish their songs and offer their projects as free digital downloads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Nicki Minaj is a Trinidadian American rapper, singer and songwriter who is known for her alter egos, musical versatility and energetic flows and rhymes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Her early works have been a proving ground and with a new batch of singles under her belt such as &#8220;Starships&#8221;, &#8220;Roman&#8217;s Revenge&#8221; and &#8220;Super Bass&#8221; as she has been unstoppable and dominating in the male-led industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Nicki Minaj - Super Bass (Official Video)\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4JipHEz53sU?list=OLAK5uy_keSfADzL-ioMHlJ3OC0Bp_y7sHq5c8A24\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Nicki Minaj Super Bass, 2010 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2006 \u2013 now \u2013 The Alternative Revival&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">While hip-hop artists have always worked in a range of styles that didn\u2019t fit the mainstream, alternative hip-hop reached a critical mass of practitioners in the wake of the blog era.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Alternative artists pushed hip-hop\u2019s boundaries, shrugging off the genre\u2019s traditional forms and blurring the lines between funk, pop, rock, jazz, soul, and reggae styles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Fuelled by listeners\u2019 interest in independent artists and the diversification of music distribution channels, alternative hip-hop became increasingly experimental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Nonetheless, artists and albums from the era had found acceptance and acclaim from far-reaching audiences, including Tyler, the Creator\u2019s horrorcore debut &#8220;Goblin&#8221; released in 2011.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tyler The Creator - She (feat. Frank Ocean)\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mFNaFeIm4bU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Tyler, the Creator She, 2011<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Lil Kim was an American rapper and singer who was a member of the late Notorious B.I.G&#8217;s group &#8220;Junior Mafia&#8221; from 1994 to 1997 along with Biggie and Lil Cease. She released her debut mixtape which was titled &#8220;Ms. G.O.A.T&#8221; in 2008 along with an interlude dedicated to women of hip-hop who paved the way before her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lil&#039; Kim - Salute The Women Of Hip-Hop (Interlude)\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Xd1OrgiV4vc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Lil Kim Salute the Women of Hip-Hop (Interlude), 2008<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2014 \u2013 now \u2013 The rise of Trap in Hip-Hop&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Trap music originated in Atlanta and ever since it has become a global phenomenon and continues to inspire and influence artists such as 2 Chainz and Future; who released his single &#8220;Mask Off&#8221; in 2017. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Future - Mask Off\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-YVlgXN7spw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Future Mask Off, 2017<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The production style consists of synthesized drums, complex hi-hat patterns and a few instruments to create its distinctive sound surrounding it along with 808s and autotune. Since 2014, trap has dominated the charts and more artists have released chart-topping singles.\u00a0\u00a0Aspiring producers and artists looking to get started can now\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/thecorporatethiefbeats.com\/trap-beats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">download trap beats<\/a>\u00a0online to create their own tracks or experiment with the genre\u2019s iconic sound.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Megan Thee Stallion is an American rapper who is known for her hit songs &#8220;Savage&#8221; and &#8220;WAP&#8221; in collaboration with Cardi B which became an instant classic upon its release. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Megan Thee Stallion - Savage [Official Audio]\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eJEKHdvntPI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Megan Thee Stallion Savage, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">She first gained attention from her freestyling videos which became viral on Instagram and led to her signing to 300 Entertainment record label in 2018 where she released her debut mixtape &#8220;Fever&#8221; the following year and her debut EP &#8220;Suga&#8221; in 2020. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Up-and-coming American Hip-hop act&nbsp;Suave n Thick&nbsp;is releasing its new single&nbsp;<strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em>\u2018Long Distance\u2019<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;<\/em>on the 25th of August via&nbsp;Suave n Thick LLC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-9.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"481\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-9.png?resize=481%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-137810\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-9.png?w=481&amp;ssl=1 481w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-9.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-9.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 481px) 100vw, 481px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Suave&#8217;n&#8217;Thick\u2019s shared passion for music developed into a deep desire to create their own sound. Growing up in Brooklyn, essentially one of the Hip-Hop capitals of the world, these childhood friends knew they had to create something to contribute to the artistic landscape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-8.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"504\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-8.png?resize=480%2C504&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-137809\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-8.png?w=480&amp;ssl=1 480w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-8.png?resize=286%2C300&amp;ssl=1 286w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The dynamic duo has previously worked with producers such as&nbsp;Rawsmoov (Juvenile),&nbsp;megaTRONG (MoneyMan)&nbsp;and&nbsp;Strew-B (Soulja Boy), with \u2018<strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em>Long Distance<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>\u2019 being mixed and mastered by&nbsp;Maxime Morin, who has previously worked with the likes of&nbsp;H.E.R&nbsp;and&nbsp;A$AP Rocky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em>\u2018Long Distance\u2019&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>drips with style and ease which features a delicious funk bass reminiscent of old-school g-funk as the beat and flow give off a distinct&nbsp;Nate Dogg and Warren G&nbsp;vibe<em>.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">The duo effortlessly combines elements of R&amp;B and Hip-Hop to craft a delectable track with solid storytelling and lyricism, focusing on the feelings we all feel when falling for someone, and how that love grows stronger in their absence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-soundcloud wp-block-embed-soundcloud\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Long Distance by Suave n Thick\" width=\"580\" height=\"400\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?visual=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F1595721888&#038;show_artwork=true&#038;maxheight=870&#038;maxwidth=580\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s a song with a little bit of everything for anyone, combining elements of west-coast hip-hop with pop for a dash of mainstream sensibility. Pre-order the album <a href=\"https:\/\/distrokid.com\/hyperfollow\/suaventhick\/long-distance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Hip-Hop born from pain, anger, and frustration, in dirt-ridden cities, has proved itself to be a genre that is more than sampled rifts spoken words and heavy beats. Its continuing legacy and experimenting with other genres such as pop, R&amp;B and jazz has amalgamated into many splinter styles and it still looks to have many more years of life in it ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Image on left-hand side <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.in\/Def-Jam-Recordings-First-Record\/dp\/0847833712\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">If you enjoyed reading&nbsp;<em>Hip-Hop 50 Years and Rising Still at the Top<\/em>,  why not read <em><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/did-you-stare-right-into-the-fear\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Did You Stare Right into the Fear <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-secondary-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>. Cent magazine London, Be Inspire; Get Involved<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hip-Hop has been an influence and an inspiration for many artists and producers and is also acclaimed globally by fans&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":289,"featured_media":137805,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7,10],"tags":[16235,16233,1577,288,16234],"features_issues":[16225],"featured_themes":[16189],"ppma_author":[16864],"class_list":["post-137348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music","category-news","tag-death-row-records","tag-def-jam-recordings","tag-hip-hop","tag-music-2","tag-tommy-boy-records","features_issues-restrain","featured_themes-restrain"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Hip-Hop 50 Years, and Rising Still to the Top | Cent Magazine Hip-Hop 50 Years<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Hip-Hop 50 Years, and Rising Still to the Top takes a deep look into the 50th birthday of hip-hop and the women driving it to the next level.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hip-Hop 50 Years, and Rising Still to the Top | Cent Magazine Hip-Hop 50 Years\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Hip-Hop 50 Years, and Rising Still to the Top takes a deep look into the 50th birthday of hip-hop and the women driving it to the next level.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" 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