Rap is a type of music that is spoken, not sung, in rhyme to the rhythm of a music beat. The word rap comes from a 1960s slang word for conversation. Often, rap music uses bits of other songs, a habit known as "sampling," to provide a beat. Most rap songs center around daily life, often focusing on the hardships and violence that are often a big part of life in big cities. For this reason, many consider rap "street poetry."As rap emerged, so did hip-hop. Hip-hop is not just a type of music, but a way to describe the fashion and lifestyle of people who enjoy, and identify with, rap music, especially when rap is combined with R&B.
Rap music was started by young African Americans living in cities during the early to mid 1970s. Early rap groups included Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa. During the 1980s, rap became popular with mainstream music audiences thanks to acts such as Run-DMC, Salt-N-Pepa and MC Hammer. Other influential rap performers include Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot, Queen Latifah, Black Eyed Peas and even young rappers like Bow Wow and Lil' Romeo.
Grandmaster Flash developed methods for breaking and repeating a beat that many rappers use today.
Grandmaster Flash is the artist who turned plain turntables into a musical instrument that helped change music forever. Flash helped start the hip hop scene in the 1970s. Born Joseph Saddler, Flash grew up in the Bronx, New York playing with his father’s records and record player.
As a teenager, Flash studied electronics. Over time, he developed ways of using the turntables to create techniques such as rearranging already recorded songs and scratching a record at a particular place.
Flash led the way for rap and hip hop disc jockeys (DJs) who use their wrist and elbow to move a record back and forth and switch focus between several records at once. Today, Flash continues to spin records and influence the world of rap and hip hop.
Rap music was started by young African Americans living in cities during the early to mid 1970s. Early rap groups included Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa. During the 1980s, rap became popular with mainstream music audiences thanks to acts such as Run-DMC, Salt-N-Pepa and MC Hammer. Other influential rap performers include Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot, Queen Latifah, Black Eyed Peas and even young rappers like Bow Wow and Lil' Romeo.
Grandmaster Flash developed methods for breaking and repeating a beat that many rappers use today.
Grandmaster Flash is the artist who turned plain turntables into a musical instrument that helped change music forever. Flash helped start the hip hop scene in the 1970s. Born Joseph Saddler, Flash grew up in the Bronx, New York playing with his father’s records and record player.
As a teenager, Flash studied electronics. Over time, he developed ways of using the turntables to create techniques such as rearranging already recorded songs and scratching a record at a particular place.
Flash led the way for rap and hip hop disc jockeys (DJs) who use their wrist and elbow to move a record back and forth and switch focus between several records at once. Today, Flash continues to spin records and influence the world of rap and hip hop.