The Evolution Of Rap Music

By Author: James Griffith
Total Articles: 41
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What most people thought is a fad that would soon pass away has emerged as an art form like no other. A part of the hip hop culture, rap is truly one of the most unique forms of music to hit the industry in this century. It transcends boundaries and gives an individual a way to tell his/her story. This form of singing gives more importance to the lyrics involved and the message being conveyed through them rather than the musical instruments being used. Even the simplest of beats are enough to make a rap song sound simply amazing!
This form of music finds its origins with the West African musicians who used to telling stories rhythmically, with just the beat of a drum for accompaniment. Folk artists from the Caribbean Islands were used to convey their stories in rhyme. These singing poets were the true pioneers who laid the foundation for the new rap songs that we listen to today! Modern day rap music owes its existence to these centuries’ old traditions.
When the hip hop culture hit the streets of the America in 1970s, a completely new form ...
... of musical composition started gaining prominence. This music took inspiration from the ancient African traditions and introduced a style that involved speaking and chanting of rhyming lyrics to simple beats that was just used to provide a basis for run the words over. The rhythm and musical instruments used were placed in least prominence in the song. What was more important was the messaged that was conveyed by the words. The rhymes used are considered to be one of the most sophisticated styles of poetry.
And this was how rap video music hit the American music scene. The subjects that the lyrics of the latest rap songs addressed were some of the most controversial topics of the times. But rap music embodied a kind of openness and straight forwardness. It afforded the singers a means of speaking their mind and talking about issues affecting an entire community overall. The pioneers of hip hop helped this singing style in gaining popularity with African American people and soon rap music was everywhere! The street culture of America was completely influenced by the music and trends of this art form.
Today, some of the most successful artists in the music industry belong to this art form. In fact, rap is now featured in songs of other genres as well. Such is the popularity of new rap videos and songs that the charts are completely ruled by numbers belonging to this form. An art form that was thought to be just a passing trend has been around for almost 20 years now. It has stood the test of time and has completely changed the course of the music industry’s future. It really is hard to imagine what today’s music scene would be like if rap didn’t exist. Its popularity rages o­n with today’s artists such as 50 Cent, Ludacris and Jay-Z churning out hit after thought-provoking hit. The beat truly does go on.
About the Author:
James Griffith is a freelance writer from London specialising in writing hiphop r&b music and uk grime music articles. Over the years he has developed an extensive knowledge of urban music and urban music artists and is considered one of the leading authorities on this subject. With a passion for Hip hop and R&B music since childhood, James Griffith brings great knowledge and a great understanding of this exciting music genre and his articles are both informative and entertaining too.