History of Rap

Rap has it roots in the rhythms of various ancient cultural traditions. Music tracing back centuries contained elements of what would evolve into modern hip-hop.

In the 20th century, the musical tradition that would coalesce as rap began to form. Within the upbeat environment of the 1920s, performer Earl Tucker, known as Snake Hips, developed a series of dance techniques that would later become break dancing. The musical elements of rap developed in the 1950s with Soundclash, the first DJ Battles.

With the advent of James Brown’s Live at the Apollo, the break beat gained a cultural foothold, and in 1969 Brown released the influential single Funky Drummer. In the multi-cultural environment of New York, the modern hip-hop movement began to come together.

A Jamaican immigrant named Clive Campbell, nicknamed Hercules began writing rhythmic lyrics and performs them to electronic mixed beats. Campbell took the performing name DJ Kool Herc in 1973 and began playing house parties throughout New York. Herc influenced Grandmaster Flash and others, as the art began to take on a life of its own. In the late 1970s rap hit mainstream with the SugarHill Gang’s hit single Rapper’s Delight.

In this environment, artist such as Run DMC developed rap rock along with groups such as the Beastie Boys, which helped carry rap further into mainstream culture.  Drawing heavily from the influences of the New York arts and music scene, DMC released hits such as Jam Master Jay, working with acclaimed producer Rick Rubin.

Diverse groups began to craft their own hip-hop blends, Russell Simmons founding Def Jam records with albums by T La Rock and LL Cool J. By the mid 1980s, hip-hop had become politically charged, led by groups such as Public Enemy, NWA and Ice T. MTV begins producing Yo! MTV Raps in 1988, marking rap’s arrival in mainstream American culture.