Comprehensive Notes on the History and Development of Rap Music

The Emergence of Rap Music

Rap music surfaced in the 1970s, evolving from earlier instances of rhythmic speech in music, such as Dave Bartholomew's "Monkey" and DJ Jocko Henderson's rhythmic speaking. Unlike these isolated instances, rap emerged as a widespread movement intertwined with break dancing, graffiti art, and hip-hop culture.

Origins in the Bronx

The roots of rap are deeply embedded in the socio-economic hardships of the Bronx borough in New York. The construction of the Cross Bronx Expressway, initiated in 1948 and completed in 1972, displaced approximately 60,000 residents, devastating homes and businesses. This infrastructural development, while beneficial to suburban commuters, exacerbated the living conditions for the Bronx's poorer African-American and Latino residents, leading to urban decay and scenes resembling a "war zone".

Rap as a distinct Art Form

Rap distinguishes itself from other musical genres through its primary focus on lyrics rather than melody. It emphasizes the spoken word, allowing for rhythmic and poetic expression even without musical accompaniment. This emphasis is in line with many cultures valuing their poets; similarly, rap has brought some rap artists into prominence as cultural figures.

However, rap's themes often delve into controversial content, reflecting aspects of gang culture and societal issues. Violence and sexually suggestive themes, mirroring negative aspects of both gang culture and society, are prevalent.

Pioneers of Rap

DJ Cool Herc

Born in Jamaica in 1955, DJ Cool Herc pioneered rap by employing turntables unconventionally. Cool Herc developed mixing techniques using percussive fragments from various records to create instrumental breaks tailored for dancing. This approach led to terms like "break beat," "B-boys," "B-girls," and "break dancing." Cool Herc, considered the godfather of hip-hop, also incorporated rhyming to guide dancers, a practice influenced by Jamaican "toasting."

Grandmaster Flash

Born Joseph Sadler in 1958 with family roots in Barbados, Grandmaster Flash expanded upon existing DJ techniques. Drawing inspiration from other DJs and influenced by his father's record collection, he innovated techniques such as backspin, punch phrasing (using horn solos over beats), and perfected scratching.

Afrika Bambaataa

Born Kevin Donovan in the South Bronx in 1957, Afrika Bambaataa was associated with the Black Spades gang. Following a transformative trip to Africa, he formed the Bronx River Organization as an alternative to gang life, hosting parties to ease tensions between gangs. Bambaataa, known for Black Nationalist themes and Zulu Nation-inspired attire, integrated diverse musical samples from artists like The Rolling Stones, James Brown, and The Beatles.

Origins of Rap: A Historical Perspective

The tradition of reciting poetry over music can be traced back to West African griots. This oral tradition was preserved in Black American culture through call and response, prison songs, slave songs, and word games. Muhammad Ali's rhyming interviews are viewed as a precursor to rap.

Groups like The Watts Prophets and The Last Poets combined politically charged poetry with jazz, laying the groundwork for hip-hop music.

Commercialization and Expansion

In 1979, Sugar Hill Records released "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang, a record that sold over a million copies and introduced rap to a global audience. This success was followed by releases from Afrika Bambaataa and Planet Rock.

Media attention grew, leading to Deborah Harry of Blondie releasing the rap song "Rapture" in 1981. In 1982, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious 5 released "The Message," the first rap song addressing social issues and depicting life in the South Bronx.

Mainstream Success and Crossover

In 1986, Run-D.M.C.'s rap album reached number three on the pop charts. The group appeared on American Bandstand, MTV, and the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. The group's song "Kings of Rock" and collaboration with Aerosmith on "Walk This Way" were pivotal in crossing over into rock and roll.

Black Nationalism and Controversy

Following Afrika Bambaataa's promotion of Black nationalism, Public Enemy adopted a confrontational stance. N.W.A. and Ice-T further pushed boundaries with gangsta rap, sparking controversy and federal government involvement due to violent and explicit content.

Emergence of Women in Rap

In the late 1980s, women, including Queen Latifah, offered progressive messages in their music. Queen Latifah's "Ladies First," featuring Monie Love, aligned herself with activists like Angela Davis and Winnie Mandela, representing a stance of female empowerment and strategic prowess, but also often standing in solidarity with male rappers to stand against criticism of the Black Community.