hiphop

Hip hop is a cultural movement and musical genre that originated in the Bronx, New York City, during the early 1970s. It emerged within African American, Afro-Caribbean, and Latino communities as a form of urban expression that blends music, dance, visual art, and language. The four traditional elements are MCing (rapping), DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti art, though the term is often used to describe both the culture and the music it produces. Hip hop also encompasses fashion, slang, and organized competition such as battles.

Musically, hip hop began with DJs who extended breakbeats from funk and disco records, while MCs provided vocal emphasis and rhythm. Early innovators included Clive Campbell (DJ Kool Herc), Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash, whose techniques shaped DJing and party aesthetics. The 1980s popularized the genre through groups like Run-DMC and Public Enemy, and the 1990s are commonly seen as a golden age of comparatively varied styles, from hard-edged lyricism on the East Coast to more melodic productions on the West Coast, with Southern scenes contributing new subgenres.

Today, hip hop is a global phenomenon influencing music, dance, film, and visual art. Its distribution has shifted from physical media to streaming platforms, affecting production and exposure. Debates persist about commercialization, cultural representation, and the use of sampling. Despite controversy, the genre continues to evolve through collaborations across genres and international scenes, maintaining a capacity for political commentary, storytelling, and innovation in rhythm and production.