Hip Hop Essays (Examples)

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Hip Hop Culture in Saudi
PAGES 15 WORDS 4627

Saudi Arabia is known as the home to the hip hop group, Dark2Men, who competed in MTV Arabia's Hip Hop Na reality show. Break dancing has also become popular as a pastime in the region. Though the exact music distribution and sales numbers are difficult to establish, there is huge listenership especially in satellite TV and radio Gana 45()
Hip hop culture in the U.S.

Hip hop has been a part of America and especially the U.S. since the early 1970s when it started as a street subculture in the South Bronx area of New York Demers 41.

It was known to have four elements which were rap music, turntablism which is more popularly known as DJing, break dancing and graffiti art. The hip hop culture was more commonly associated with poverty and violence as a result of the conflict between their style and the authority or law. This conflict is thought….

L. Cool J. into box-office stars. Like rock and roll in the 1950s, hip-hop has become the great cultural bridge in these times" ("Hip Hop: The history," Independence, 2006.). However, in some of its manifestations, the original intent of hip-hop music to parody and critique mainstream culture has been corrupted by materialism. There is a distinct contrast with the original voices and visions of artists like Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash and Kurtis Blow with Kei$ha. Bambaataa, a Black Spades gang member and DJ said he wanted "to combine his love of music" and "enhance community life (atkins 22). But while all music that originated in the African-American community has 'crossed over' at some point, no crossover has been characterized by such materialism and dilution as hip-hop. Instead of a critique of materialism, the commercialized version of hip-hop often merely celebrates excess. Ignorant of the real circumstances behind the movement, artists….

Hip Hop Speaking Truth to
PAGES 4 WORDS 1674

men in the hip-hop world. She has been a spokesmodel for Jenny Craig, a company that explicitly utilizes her 'real woman' image to sell its weight-loss product. "She's a CoverGirl and, off-screen, manicures a wholesome image" (What's worse, 2009, Querty). To emphasize her critique of Black male desire and to create another image for a Black woman to 'be' in the world would challenge prevailing norms and the new fascination with Black male power in the mainstream media.
Unlike Queen Latifah, some artists have taken a more controversial stance towards heterosexism. Queen Pen brags of taking a woman away from her boyfriend, in her song "Girlfriend" with a playful swagger similar to that of black male rappers: "After all, bragging about luring a woman away from her boyfriend is practically de rigueur on a hip-hop album," and she sings 'If that's your girlfriend, she wasn't last night'" to a man….

Hip Hop as a Fundamental
PAGES 4 WORDS 1152


As hip hop developed in urban environments, it has historically concerned itself with themes addressing the minorities dwelling in these communities. This is a tradition that has continued up to the present day. The main concern in hip hop lyrics is with the "struggle." This struggle can be personal or political in nature. In addition, there is also one strain of hip hop rapping known as "party rhymes" that are meant to pump a crowd at a party. This is particularly popular in old school hip hop. Gangsta rap contains lyric that traditionally celebrate crime and the "ghetto" lifestyle. Another more recent development in hip hop, Christian rap, helps spread messages of a spiritual theme.

Producing and Recording

Today, hip hop has become a big part of the American music industry. The production and recording side of hip hop is a complex world that has elevated a number of obscure artists to….

Hip Hop Culture the Hip
PAGES 5 WORDS 1652


Sadly, what began as a means of artistic expression has evolved into a phenomenon that has centered on exploiting women and glamorizing crime and violence, leading listeners to believe that this is not only the acceptable way of treating women, but also that the crime and violence are socially accepted norms.

orks Cited

Alridge, D. & Stewart, J. "Introduction: Hip Hop in History: Past, Present, and Future."

Journal of African-American History. 90(3) Summer 2005: p. 190-195. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOHost. University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ. March 14, 2008 http://web.ebscohost.com.

Don't Hate, Articulate!" Ride BMX. 15(5) May 2006: p. 47. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCOHost. University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ. March 14, 2008 http://web.ebscohost.com.

Farley, F. "Hip-Hop Nation." Time. 15(5) 8 Feb 1999: p. 54-64. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOHost. University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ. March 14, 2008 http://web.ebscohost.com.

Goodson, D. "Soulful Tribute Keeps Train Rolling." New York Amsterdam News. 97(11) 9 Mar 2006: p. 9. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOHost.….

Hip Hop Music
PAGES 3 WORDS 967

Hip-Hop Music
Throughout history, popular music has changed constantly. Every time a new category of popular music is introduced to a new generation, there is always controversy. Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Madonna and even country and westerns Loretta Lynn broke barriers that everyone was real upset about at one time. They are now highly respectable. In time, the controversial music becomes accepted and new artists push through more limitations. Because of the dance craze, Hip-Hop and Rap music have became very popular. They both produce a very strong beat that is very easy to dance to. Hip-Hop or Rap music is accented with a heavy drumbeat, a handed down version of African rhythms, but the lyrics are composed of slang spoken by younger generations.

Many people thought that Hip-Hop music was not going to last, but it is showing no signs of diminishing. As a matter of fact, many new artists are….

Hip Hop Dance History There
PAGES 10 WORDS 4030

(Hip-hop History) Graffiti is also known as writing, and is not dance. It originated as an underground urban art which was boldly being displayed in public places, generally on the sides of buildings or walls. This was an avenue for citizens to make political and social commentary, and even for gangs to mark their territory. Folks would mark their areas with "tags" like FANK 207, TAKI 183 and several others. Finally the art of tagging developed into a full-blown art form, and produced beautiful mural art to cover trains and buildings. (Hip-hop History)
All the basic dances of hip hop have their individual and unique histories and stories. There is a common misconception which is that hip hop dancing has deep roots in the African rituals or ceremonies as well as culture. In truth, hip hop is much more of an American product. This position will help provide some sort….

Hip Hop Culture
PAGES 6 WORDS 1585

Hip Hop Culture
The History of Hip Hop Culture

The roots of hip hop culture are in West African and African-American music (Armstrong, 1997; Hummell, 2002). The griots of West Africa are a group of traveling singers and poets, whose musical style is very similar to hip hop. The most important direct influence on the creation of hip hop music was the Jamaican style called dub, which arose in the 1960's. Dub musicians isolated percussion breaks because dancers at clubs typically preferred the rhythms of the often-short breaks. Soon, performers began speaking in sync with these rhythms. In 1967, Jamaican immigrants brought dub to New York City, where it evolved into hip hop (Hummell, 2002; Mills, 1999). In Jamaica, dub music diversified into genres such as reggae and dancehall.

True hip hop arose during the 1970's when block parties became common in New York City, especially the Bronx. Block parties were usually accompanied….

The unique sounds of rap music challenged the American listening public by shifting away from rock song structures and instrumentation. Sampling songs and scratch became some of the signature effect of DJs, who provided the music over which rappers would speak their poetry. The fact that rapping is generally unmelodic and set over percussive-forward music ensured that hip-hop remained an underground music. Break beats offered a novel approach to musical expression. The lecture notes discuss the supremacy of the DJ within hip-hop, which is why one DJ could pair up with multiple rappers.
The lecture notes outline the pivotal moments that pushed hip-hop into the mainstream. The "internal growing pains" referred to in the lecture also lends insight into how hip-hop has never been monolithic. Artistic diversity has ensured that the genre thrives and grows. The lecture also addresses the different styles and sounds that hip-hop assumed when the movement….

They are taken for granted that is why here in the site of hsan.org, you can paste your comments and suggestions or even views and analysis when it comes to political issues. There is freedom of expression here in the HSAN as long as what you put in that site is valid. There are a lot of entertainers now who gives meaning to the youth opinions and some of them were Americans, their music are louder than before because every part of the world are already hooked up to each and every one so accessed to information are easy and within reach. Here are some of the information about HSAN's aspiration based on the online source, http://www.hsan.org/Content/main.aspx?pageid=27:
1. We want freedom and the social, political and economic development and empowerment of our families and communities; and for all women, men and children throughout the world.

2. We want equal justice for….

globalization effect or reason for the creation of Hip-Hop Culture in the estern province in Saudi (Jeddah)?
Saudi Arabia is a country of variety and as of recently, hip-hop. The hip-hop culture of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's western province, is a culture that signifies not only a new trend of music and interests never seen before in the area, but also an embrace of modern symbols, meaning, and language that could have a connection to the large forces of globalization from the like American hip-hop culture and street life. Semiotics, put simply, is the study of signs. These signs may include photographs, paintings, drawings, words, sounds, and body language. The analysis of the signs within hip-hop and hip-hop culture then leads to an understanding of the various meanings behind it.

This paper will focus on three rappers from Jeddah and compare them to U.S. rappers to find difference and common themes. Characteristics….

How Hip Hop Followed in the Footsteps of Malcolm X Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and the Origins of Hip Hop
Abstract
This paper examines the manner in which the hip hop grew out of the Civil Rights Movement and became a way for disenfranchised black youths, marginalized by society, to express their thoughts and feelings on a world that did want them to rise up. The history of hip hop and its culture is thus a rich one and a complex one that both celebrates youthful joys and energy while also taking different roads towards instigating a dialogue as well. Some hip hop artists have been thoughtful and have challenged the status quo with lyrics and albums that have provoked discussion in a sober-minded way (such as was the case with Tupac Shakur), while others have been more provocative and have set out to disrupt the status quo through a kind….

1. What is your general impression of any 2 specific arguments Giddings makes in the essay (i.e, Jay-Z as cultural agents or "africanisms" in Jay-Z's lyrics)?  First, I was impressed by Giddings’ assessment of “the Africanist spiritual value of recognizing reality as a composite of both the tangible and the ethereal/illusive,” (p. 11). The spiritual dimensions of hip-hop are not discussed much, and it is refreshing to encounter this perspective. Second, I appreciated Giddings interjection of gender issues into the assessment of Jay-Z’s lyrics and their “Africanisms,” particularly with regards to the concept of machismo. It is interesting that Giddings connects female background vocals and the blending of male/female in African-American music with corresponding social realities.
2. Of the 4 cultural africanisms/core values, introduced by Giddings and exhibited in Jay-Z's lyrics, which 1 (or more, if any) is most convincing to you that African Americans have an African heritage; and how specifically….

Hip-hop and rap have often been criticized for depicting stereotypical depictions of women, particularly Black women, even while striving to offer a cultural counter-narrative of powerful black masculinity that is positive. Kanye West’s song “Gold Digger” famously criticizes women for being only interested in a man’s money, and the video crassly shows women in skimpy clothing gyrating in front of West, even being used as credit card dispensers. Although rap’s narrative may question a white world where the police are trustworthy and criminality is viewed as evil, versus a natural response to the environment, it often embraces a very negative view of women at its worst and at its best has depicted women more as sexualized objects than as fully dimensional human beings. On the other hand, as noted by Patricia Hill Collins in her essay “Get Your Freak On: Sex, Babies, and Images of Black Femininity,” many female artists….

M.I.A. on Letterman Singing "Paper Planes"
The recorded live performance of "Paper Planes" by hip hop artist M.I.A. on David Letterman's Late Night in 2007 is the focus of this paper. M.I.A.'s performance is a solo act (with a single back-up singer) as well as a DJ (who is at the rear of stage and not in the spotlight). The venue is Letterman's show and M.I.A. performs before a live studio audience. The performance drew some controversy as the "gunshots" that are supposed to ring out as part of the effect of the show's music were muted and diminished so that instead of loud bangs they came across as toy pop gun sounds. hen this first happened in the performance, M.I.A. actually stopped and looked behind her to her crew as though she was surprised at the diminishment in one of the more emotional impactful moments in the song, which is….

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15 Pages
Research Paper

Music

Hip Hop Culture in Saudi

Words: 4627
Length: 15 Pages
Type: Research Paper

Saudi Arabia is known as the home to the hip hop group, Dark2Men, who competed in MTV Arabia's Hip Hop Na reality show. Break dancing has also become…

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3 Pages
Research Paper

Music

Hip-Hop The Greatest of All

Words: 1308
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Research Paper

L. Cool J. into box-office stars. Like rock and roll in the 1950s, hip-hop has become the great cultural bridge in these times" ("Hip Hop: The history," Independence, 2006.).…

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4 Pages
Essay

Music

Hip Hop Speaking Truth to

Words: 1674
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Essay

men in the hip-hop world. She has been a spokesmodel for Jenny Craig, a company that explicitly utilizes her 'real woman' image to sell its weight-loss product. "She's…

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4 Pages
Term Paper

Music

Hip Hop as a Fundamental

Words: 1152
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Term Paper

As hip hop developed in urban environments, it has historically concerned itself with themes addressing the minorities dwelling in these communities. This is a tradition that has continued up…

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5 Pages
Term Paper

Music

Hip Hop Culture the Hip

Words: 1652
Length: 5 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Sadly, what began as a means of artistic expression has evolved into a phenomenon that has centered on exploiting women and glamorizing crime and violence, leading listeners to believe…

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3 Pages
Term Paper

Music

Hip Hop Music

Words: 967
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Hip-Hop Music Throughout history, popular music has changed constantly. Every time a new category of popular music is introduced to a new generation, there is always controversy. Elvis Presley, The…

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10 Pages
Term Paper

Music

Hip Hop Dance History There

Words: 4030
Length: 10 Pages
Type: Term Paper

(Hip-hop History) Graffiti is also known as writing, and is not dance. It originated as an underground urban art which was boldly being displayed in public places, generally…

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6 Pages
Term Paper

Music

Hip Hop Culture

Words: 1585
Length: 6 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Hip Hop Culture The History of Hip Hop Culture The roots of hip hop culture are in West African and African-American music (Armstrong, 1997; Hummell, 2002). The griots of West Africa…

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2 Pages
Essay

Music

Hip-Hop Theory Culture the Central

Words: 595
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Essay

The unique sounds of rap music challenged the American listening public by shifting away from rock song structures and instrumentation. Sampling songs and scratch became some of the…

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2 Pages
Term Paper

Music

Hip Hop Culture and Politics

Words: 755
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Term Paper

They are taken for granted that is why here in the site of hsan.org, you can paste your comments and suggestions or even views and analysis when it…

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18 Pages
Research Paper

Music

Hip-Hop Culture in the US and Jeddah

Words: 6190
Length: 18 Pages
Type: Research Paper

globalization effect or reason for the creation of Hip-Hop Culture in the estern province in Saudi (Jeddah)? Saudi Arabia is a country of variety and as of recently, hip-hop.…

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7 Pages
Essay

Music

Hip Hop History and Culture

Words: 2134
Length: 7 Pages
Type: Essay

How Hip Hop Followed in the Footsteps of Malcolm X Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and the Origins of Hip Hop Abstract This paper examines the manner in which the hip…

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1 Pages
Essay

Music

Jay Z Hip Hop and African American Culture

Words: 512
Length: 1 Pages
Type: Essay

1. What is your general impression of any 2 specific arguments Giddings makes in the essay (i.e, Jay-Z as cultural agents or "africanisms" in Jay-Z's lyrics)?  First, I was impressed…

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6 Pages
Essay

Hip-Hop and Misogyny Rewriting the Narrative of Hip-Hop Essay

Words: 2051
Length: 6 Pages
Type: Essay

Hip-hop and rap have often been criticized for depicting stereotypical depictions of women, particularly Black women, even while striving to offer a cultural counter-narrative of powerful black masculinity that…

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3 Pages
Essay

Music

Hip Hop Music Paper Planes by MIA an Evaluation

Words: 1032
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Essay

M.I.A. on Letterman Singing "Paper Planes" The recorded live performance of "Paper Planes" by hip hop artist M.I.A. on David Letterman's Late Night in 2007 is the focus of this…

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