This is our final look at how the hip hop culture has had an influence on the world. This chapter focusing on hip hops influence on other music genres.
Hip hop was born in the late sixties and started off as something exclusive to black youth in the South Bronx. With the leadership of DJ Kool Herc and early pioneers like the SugarHill Gang & Grandmaster Flash, hip hops early street beginnings was quickly transformed into a revolution.
Despite the underground success, hip hop didn’t become commercial until the 90s. In fact, up until this point hip hop was shunned and looked down upon by politicians and other musicians. The term “hip hoppers” was initially meant to be derogatory, but today it is a label that most wear proudly. In the 90s music companies started to realize the financial strides they could make by tapping into this new urban market. As a result, hip hop became mainstream.
It went from being the ugly stepchild that was hidden in Americas basement, to becoming everyone favorite uncle. Everyone from the kids in the ghettos to the kids in suburbia, were fixated on hip hops conscious socio-political messages or the gangsta rap ideals.
The musicians that previously shunned hip hoppers, started to embrace them and incorporate the messages and common sounds of the hip hop genre. It has expanded and been mixed into many other cultures and sounds like: Latin rap, metal, alternative rock and pop, just to name a few. Rappers have made and been featured on some of the biggest songs to date transcending the typical hip hop genre. Likewise, artists from other genres have implemented hip hop elements into their music and have been very successful – Linkin Park, Kid Rock and Madonna are just a few.
Hip hop has come a long way from the house parties and neighborhood parks in the Bronx. What was once shunned and disregarded, has now become a widely popular vessel for the struggles and oppression that we all face. We all look forward to see where hip hop will be in the next few decades and how it will continue to represent us all.