Illy Rap Hip Hop Culture

Hip hop culture began in the mainly black and Hispanic inner-city Bronx of New York City during
the early 1970s, and has since spread throughout the world. The four main elements of hip hop
culture are MC'ing (rapping), DJ'ing, graffiti, and break dancing. Some consider beatboxing to be
the fifth element of hip hop. In mainstream spheres, hip-hop typically refers only to the music
produced by the hip-hop culture.

Hip-hop:

Hip hop music and History of hip hop music

Hip-hop music, distinguishable by its emphasis on rhythm and frequent inclusion of rapping,
arose from the mixing of Jamaican and American music by the immigrant DJ Kool Herc in his
block parties which started as early as 1970. Rapping is the hip-hop equivalent of the toasting
which could be found in Jamaican dub music at the same time. Herc would play the funk
records that his audience demanded, but he invented the hip-hop beat by isolating the breaks
(the part in the song with only drums) from the rest of the song. While an entire culture grew out
of this music, the music itself developed with years, leading to a golden age from 1986 to 1993.

MC'ing:

Master of Ceremonies and Rapping

The most visible role in hip-hop culture today is that of the MC— the master of ceremonies. The
MC entertains the crowd with their rapping (the rhythmic delivery of rhymes). With its roots in
Jamaican toasting, rap has developed drastically since its introduction to hip-hop culture by
Kool DJ Herc and DJ Hollywood in the early 70's. The first true MC in hip-hop was Coke La
Rock. Rapping and MC'ing have developed throughout the years thanks to many pioneers such
as: Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, Schooly D, Run DMC, and Rakim.