HIP HOP

With modern Dancefloor, Hip Hop and Rap the Djs became an active part of music and performers in their own right. It started in the 70s, when Djs from New York staged street shows on mobile units on a truck or a car recalling similar shows of Jamaican Djs of the 40s and early 60s. About the same time, Kool DJ Herc from New York developed the break-beat thecnique when he played instrumental parts over and over again inspiring his audiences to perform what has since been known as breakdance.

 

The first rap song that put the genre on the international map was “ Rappers Delight“, released in 1979 by the Sugarhill Gang from New York.Since the countless varieties have been developed. Djs became an integral part, one of the most famous being Grandmaster Flash from N.Y. Although the East Coast played an important role at the beginning, the big sellers and the latest trends come from California. One of the big stars is (MC) Hammer who represents the mainstream of rap. Other succesfull acts are the trio Cypress Hill from Southgate, Los Angeles and former gang member Tone-Loc, also from L.A., whose 1989 album “Locked after dark“ is one of the biggest selling rap albums to date. In the late 80's, Gangsta Rap from South Central, L.A. tirned out to be one of the most influential styles.

 

Information about MC Hammer:

(MC) Hammer was born Stanley Kirk Burrell on March 30th, 1963 in East Oakland, California. He is considered to be the first and probably the most successful rap star to date. One of the reasons for his success is the fact that he is liked by both black and white youths. His rejection of violence as a means of social change made him a representative of the rap mainstream and an object of suspicion among hard-core rappers. With his dancing ability and elaborate stage choreography, including 30 dancers, some purists do not even accept him as a genuine rapper. After his first major album, "Lets Get It Started" (1988), he released "Please Hammer Don't Hurt Em" in 1990, which became the most successful rap album to date. It included the huge hit "U Cant Touch This" and won him three Grammy Awards.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE :

Ice-T

Ice-T is one of the most important representatives of gangsta rap, but also one of the most controversial figures.Born Tracy Marrow in 1958 in Newark,New Jersey,he moved to Los Angeles when he was 13 to live with his aunt after his parents had died.He released his first album in 1987. He gained notoriety in 1992 when he recorded a song called „Cop Killer“ with the black trash-metal band Body Count. The song was never released because it apparently advocated murdering police officers.In interviews,he displays an ambivalent attitude towards violence, although there is some evidence that he took part in looting during the L.A. riots in 1992.At that time he was said to have recorded an album on stolen equipment.He is known for his extreme attitudes towards women and racial issues. He has also worked as an actor.

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