Hip-Hop: It Is Music

Music is one’s expression of life from their point of view. It becomes unique as it is based upon individual experiences of satisfaction and failure throughout life. Popular music is often defined as it has the broadest appeal to the maximum number of people. Hip-Hop began its rise to fame and fortune during the late 1970’s. It would come to represent the youth of America as seen with this comment by Todd Elliot: "For many young people - regardless of race, color or economic standing, hip-hop culture is the voice of their often misunderstood and misinterpreted generation - a voice that, up until now, was generally ignored". As it gained power and people garnered the fear of the unknown they began to attack Hip-hop’s character. The expression of a unique individual from the inner city defined as hip-hop is a legitimate form of music and shouldn’t be disapproved of for the struggle that it represents.

Hip-hop music is an original form of art crafted from the integration of phrases that rhyme and rhythm focused beats. It first began during the early 1970’s in New York City with the African-Americans and Latinos. Being featured at block parties, it offered a way of escape from the bigotry and stereotyping that was taking place by mainstream America. Hip-hop was embraced quickly, with the first national rap record coming in 1979 by the “Sugarhill Gang”. This record debuted at 13 on the Billboard R&B chart and paved for the culture that would change the world. In the early 1980’s, hip-hop began to take its initial stride towards mainstream acceptance with the likes of “Run-DMC”, “Kurtis Blow”, and “LL Cool J” all appearing on the Billboard Top 100 chart. During the late 1980’s, the socially conscience MC (rapper) emerged with “Public Enemy” stating their views on what the African-American culture should do in order to gain equal justice in society. Also during this period, “N.W.A.”’s Straight Outta Compton rose to sell 2.5 million units with it raunchy lyrics and anti-authority message, sparking the eye of many activists and beginning gangsta rap. At this point even the FBI took notice, sending a letter of discontent for the lyrics of one song in particular: “F**k Tha Police”.

Gangsta rap would become the mainstream driving force during the early to mid-90’s, eventually becoming the most successful form of hip-hop. It (gangsta rap) depicted the gritty aspects of street life, racism in America, and overall feel of what theses artists felt African-Americans were going through in their everyday lives. This brought attention to the many brutal things that were taking place in the urban ghettos of America such as poverty, ruthless murdering, and drug dealing. Artists like the late Tupac Shakur would develop a cult-like following from his efforts in bringing these issues to the mainstream and providing a thoughtful insight on what he felt should be done about it. The power he and other artists who delivered a similar message obtained made them targets of politicians and even seen as a threat to national security. To diminish hip-hop’s overall appeal, it was deemed to be not real music for its use of drum machines and synthesizers and what some considered lack of intellectual lyrical content.

Real music can be defined as music that comes from the heart. Anyone can make real music as long as it represents the struggles that they have been through or situations they have experienced. Since the beginning of mainstream music in America, artists have strived to create an image that depicts one’s self. This is often contrary to what corporate America would like as they see “real music” as a financial risk and what rather experience the tried and true formula of the current time. With that in mind, this leads artists to create music that does not represent who they our or what they stand for in order to meet record sales demands. Often compromising their own integrity, theses artist lack respect once the