Post on 19-Jan-2016
transcript
Hip-Hop, 80s style
Yeeeeaaaaaah, boyyyyyyyy!
Where it came from…
• US hip-hop/rap has its roots in NYC• Jamaican-born “Kool Herc” is credited with
igniting the hip-hop craze• Many examples of spoken-word/music exist– West African griots were their society’s story-
tellers– Early Blues artists– 60s/70s Funk artists– Jamaican toasting
What’s it about?
• The rhythmic and rhyming vocal style that accompanies an instrumental (drums, turntables) foundation– Turntablism: the use of pre-recorded samples played &
manipulated by a DeeJay– MC’ing: the act of vocally rhyming with rhythmic inflections
• Other integral components include breaking, graffiti, & beatboxing
• Rap/Hip-Hop has traditionally been a medium for disenfranchised groups to express their struggles & concerns with everyday life
Sugar Hill Gang
Rapper’s DelightSugar Hill Gang
• Founded in 1973 in Englewood, NJ, by Wonder Mike, Master Gee, & Big Bank Hank
• The first hip-hop crew to gain nation-wide attention
• This was their only hit, although they have toured & recorded for over 40 years
• Their label, Sugar Hill Records, is named after a Manhattan neighborhood
Rapper’s Delightcontinued
• Released 1979 on Sugar Hill Records – Sugarhill Gang – (album)
• Uses Chic’s Good Times song as a sample• Generally considered the song that popularized
rap/hip-hop in the US• The song touches on day-to-day experiences,
girls, money, & the group’s ability to rock a beat & get the audience moving
• Video
Run DMC
King of RockRun DMC
• Founded in 1981 in Hollis, Queens, NYC by Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl, “D.M.C.” McDaniels, & Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell
• One of the most influential, successful hip-hop acts EVER
• Their list of “firsts” in hip-hop is long & impressive:– 1st gold album– 1st Grammy award– 1st platinum album– 1st to have a video on MTV– 1st to be on the cover of Rolling Stone
King of Rockcontinued
• Released in 1985 on Profile/Arista Records – King of Rock (album)
• Produced by Russell Simmons (co-founder of Def Jam Records & brother of “Run”)
• The sampled track features a heavy guitar riff (unique for rap at the time)
• Run-DMC became one of the first acts to incorporate rock into their sound – Walk
• Video
Beastie Boys
GirlsThe Beastie Boys
• Formed by NYC punk band in 1981 by Mike D, Ad-Rock, & MCA (Mix Master Mike was their DJ)
• The band is one of the most successful hip-hop acts of all time (7 platinum albums, numerous awards)
• “Girls” has been considered misogynistic due to its lyrical content (the Beasties apologized for this later in their career)
Girlscontinued
• Released 1987 on Def Jam/Columbia Records – Licensed to Ill (album)
• Produced by Rick Rubin• The song tells the story of the narrator’s thoughts
on women & a particular woman that is the object of his affection
• The band’s later career is marked by more socially-conscious lyrics & apologies for their past lyrical content
• Lyric video
Public Enemy
911 Is A JokePublic Enemy
• Formed in 1982 in Long Island, NY by Chuck D (MC), & Flavor Flav (hype, MC, multi-instrumentalist)
• Their socially-conscious & political lyrics were incendiary & controversial for the time
• Their original DJ, Terminator X, is considered a forefather of the scratching phenomenon of early rap/hip-hop
911 Is A Jokecontinued
• Released 1990 on Def Jam Records – Fear of a Black Planet (album)
• The song describes the frustration in black communities with calling emergency services (911)
• Written (in part) by Flavor Flav (see, he does more than just say, “Yeaaaaah, boyyyyyy!”)
• Video
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Parents Just Don’t UnderstandDJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
• Formed 1985 in Philadelphia, PA by Jeff Townes, Will Smith, & Clarence Holmes (Ready Rock C)
• The group won a Grammy for this song (1989)• The group was known for non-offensive, light-
hearted story-telling• Their next hit sampled “I Dream of Jeannie” • DJ Jazzy Jeff is credited with developing a
scratching technique known as “transforming”
Parents Just Don’t Understandcontinued
• Released 1988 on Jive Records – He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper (album)
• Smith was a millionaire before the age of 20, he spent it all & needed to learn fiscal responsibility…
• One of only 2 winners of the “Grammy for Best Rap Performance” before the category was dissolved
• Video
Tone Loc
Funky Cold MedinaTone Loc
• Born Anthony Terrell Smith (1966) in LA• Known for his gravelly voice• Used the Bud Light mascot Spuds Mackenzie in
his videos/raps• This song was co-written by CA rapper,
Young MC• The subject is an aphrodisiac (meant to make
people sexually aroused)…but things don’t go the way Tone Loc wants.
Funky Cold Medinacontinued
• Released 1989 on Delicious Vinyl Records – Loc-ed After Dark (album)
• The song contains numerous samples• His other hits include Wild Thing, &
I Got It Goin’ On• This era of hip-hop/rap was rife with lawsuits
over illegal sampling• Video
Queen Latifah
Wrath of My MadnessQueen Latifah
• Born Dana Elaine Owens (1970) in New Jersey• Latifah has been a part of the NJ rap scene since
the mid-1980s, beatboxing, dancing, etc• She is also an accomplished jazz/soul singer• A successful actor, she has starred in shows such
as Living Single, hosted her own talk show• She has also starred in successful movies & is
the face of a successful line of CoverGirl products
Wrath of My Madnesscontinued
• Released 1989 on Tommy Boy Records – All Hail the Queen (album)
• This is one of Queen Latifah’s signature songs• The album contained the feminist anthem
Ladies First• The album broke into the Top 200 (Billboard),
but reached #6 on the Hip Hop Charts• Video
MC Lyte
Cha Cha ChaMC Lyte
• Born Lana Michelle Moorer in Brooklyn, NY (1970)
• In addition to her Hip-Hop career, Lyte is a successful actor & voice-over artist
• She appeared on the reality TV show Celebrity Rap Superstar as a coach/mentor to actress Shar Jackson
• Began her rap career at the age of 12 in the early 1980s
Cha Cha ChaMC Lyte
• Released 1989 on Atlantic Records – Eyes on This (album)
• Written when Lyte was only 17 years old• A #1 hit on the Billboard Rap charts• Contains a sample from the German group
Kraftwerk• Video
Neneh Cherry
Buffalo StanceNeneh Cherry
• Born Neneh Mariann Karlsson in Sweden, 1964• Her step-father is jazz artist Don Cherry
(trumpet) & step-brother is Eagle-Eye Cherry• She has been outspoken about the
objectification of women in mass media• She has collaborated with artists in many
different genres (Big Audio Dynamite, for example)
Buffalo Stancecontinued
• Released 1988 on Virgin Records – Raw Like Sushi (album)
• “Buffalo” refers to a group of artists, musicians, stylists, etc, that worked with UK stylist Ray Petri
• Cherry performed this on the English program Top of the Pops when she was 7 months pregnant!
Monie Love
It’s a ShameMonie Love
• Born Simone Gooden in London, England, 1970
• Worked alongside Queen Latifah & other rap acts that strove to advance positive messages
• Love is also a radio personality on Sirius/XM• She is considered one of the most influential
artists in the development of British hip-hop (Brit-hop)
It’s a Shamecontinued
• Released 1990 on Cooltempo/Warner Bros. Records – Down to Earth (album)
• Samples “It’s a Shame” written by Stevie Wonder for The Spinners
• The song broke the Top 40 here in the US, but was much more successful across Europe
• The lyrics touch on protecting yourself from abusive relationships (from a female perspective)
• Video