jeudi 26 octobre 2017

A Review Of The Golden Age Of Hip Hop

By Matthew Barnes


When asked what their memories of the late 1980s and early 1990s are, many may bring up an array of topics. For stakeholders in the music scene, however, the time period is recognized as the golden age of hip hop. It is a period that marked the creation of renowned rappers in music history.

Some albums that got churned back in the day still get lots of airtime on radio and TV stations to date. Back then, a large percentage of the artists engaged in mainstream music operated from New York City. A new touch was integrated in modern music thanks to the diversity ingrained in the genre.

Many artists made their first leaps during this time. They include LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, the Jungle Brothers and Slick Rick just to name a few. The albums released by these artists topped the charts at the time and defined rap music for future generations. Towards the end of the 90s, artists such as Dr. Dre and Eminem picked up where their mentors left.

Many music enthusiasts know the era for its innovative contribution to the industry. Every single hit being churned back then reinvented the genre. Unlike the long breaks that fans often get treated to these days, pioneering albums would be released month in month out.

The innovation brought about by the music genre also brought change to the beats and messages delivered in lyrics. Artists started to infuse faster rhymes and beats in their works. This was made possible with advancement in production technology. Many black rappers also infused anti racism messages in their hits.

One aspect that makes the age stand out is the way sampling was heavily done. New types of beats, patterns and riffs would come up rapidly. This gave rise to a new type of DJs and producers who could crank up tunes without the need for formal training. The style samples that producers infused in hip hop were heavily borrowed from funk, soul, jazz and rock n roll music.

Due to the large number of beats being sampled at a time, rapping styles evolved quickly. Fans began to adore the fresh styles done by the likes of Chuck D, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim and KRS One. In the coming years, renowned music pundits talked of them as phenomenal. As creativity was rife, fans did not have much to complain about.

While some artists loved to glorify themselves in their lyrics, many conveyed messages of social protest. Issues such as politics, drug abuse, religion, culture, domestic violence and crime got much coverage. By covering these messages in their music, artists gained international recognition.

The massive sampling being done by produces eventually resulted in a myriad of lawsuits. Copyright cases were filed by recording labels against each other. With many suits won, producers gradually embraced the reality of creating unique styles.

Majority of music hits released these days can be linked to the pioneering effects of the genre. Despite the over emphasis on self glorification today, recurring social problems ought to be addressed through music. Such messages can create a positive impact in society.




About the Author:



Aucun commentaire:

Enregistrer un commentaire