Know the Roots of Hip-Hop
We all have been tuning to Hip-Hop music with some of our Hip-Hop moves. But, did we ever try to understand from did it all began?
So, let us take some time to understand Hip-Hop which we all love so much specially the roots of Hip-Hop & how music has played a pivotal role in shaping Hip-Hop.
Though Hip-Hop was born in America but it's roots originates from Africa. In the earliest of Hip-Hop, we all can hear the traditional african music. It has played a major role in shaping the Hip-Hop music. Drums & rhythms have always been part of traditional african music. It is the traditional african music that has paved way to Hip-Hop music.
The history of Hip-Hop started with slavery. Slavery has been terrible in Africa. Many africans were migrated from their motherland, bought in ships to America and sold to different slave owners for labour work. They were made to work all day. Though, they were living a miserable life, they found ways to stay connected with their mother land and it was the traditional african music which they carried along with them which helped them in achieving the same. These africans used to work the entire day and at night, their music became their relaxation. They started creating rhythms through their work, sang together in groups, shared their feelings, started relieving from their pain and this is how music brought Africans Americans together. Many white people tried stealing what made africans human but with the help of music, they could hold themselves stronger.
Contribution of Different Kinds of Music in Hip-Hop
Gospel singing has always played a big role in shaping the Hip-Hop music. Gospel singing has always been a part of worship in churches. The preacher's words and music of gospel singers were mixed together but the church wasn't the only place to hear African American music. It could be heard in the streets, many talented artists started making different kinds of music, made it famous by the keeping the sounds of traditional african music alive.
What is Rhythm & Blues?
Blues was a type of song which was sung by slaves. It was about getting to know a person's pain and sadness through a song. In 1940s, blues was mixed with a music called Jazz. Jazz was just another kind of African American music which became popular in 1920s. These two types of music came together to be known as Rhythm & Blues and this is how it became one of the music shaping the Hip-Hop music.
Soul Music & James Brown
Many African Americans were never considered equally with whites. They were always made to work in slavery, sometimes, weren't given work as compared to whites. James Brown was one person who actually helped them stay motivated through songs. He made Soul music popular in 1960s. Soul music was often mixed with gospel and R&B. His songs used to have powerful messages which encouraged them to be proud of who they are. It had titles like "Say It Loud - I am Black & Proud". This made him known as Godfather of Soul. His singing used to be mixed with gospel, blues, jazz but he didn't just sing, he used to Dance and jump around while performing and this helped evolve a new style for many upcoming American singers. Though, many of them considered him Godfather of Soul, he also helped build the Hip-Hop culture. For many of them, he was the Godfather of Hip-Hop as well. Soul music also helped many Hip-Hop rappers in 1970s & 80s.and with that, a new kind of music emerged called as Funk music.
Funk Music
Funk music was fun. It was meant for Dancing. Funk musicians wanted people to feel the beat so much that they couldn't resist themselves from Dancing. The bass guitar played a big role in Funk music. The bass was played louder in Funk than in any music. This is funk music paved way to Hip-Hop music through loud bass and dance beats.
I hope you all might have understood how different kinds of music made contributions in Hip-Hop music making it one of the biggest music in the world. Please share this as much as you all can and we will keep coming up with such information more on our blogs.