An urban subculture that began in New York in the 1970s and slowly rose to prominence throughout the 80s and 90s. With the recent rise of young mainstream rappers, it can stand as fact and not belief that although the dance aspect of this subculture is alive and constantly expanding, the hip hop music -- a genre of music popularized by rappers like Run-DMC and KRS One -- is currently in a comatose state, if not dead.

Hip hop music, also referred to as rap or rap music, is a style of popular music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. It consists of two main components: rapping (MCing) and DJing (audio mixing and scratching). Along with hip hop dance (notably breakdancing) and urban inspired art, or notably graffiti, these compose the four elements of hip hop, a cultural movement that was initiated by inner-city youth, mostly African Americans in New York City, in the early 1970s.

Typically, hip hop music consists of intensely rhythmic lyrical form making abundant use of techniques like assonance, alliteration, and rhyme. The rapper is accompanied by an instrumental track, usually referred to as a "beat", performed by a DJ, created by a producer, or one or more instrumentalists. This beat is often created using a sample of the percussion break of another song, usually a funk or soul recording. In addition to the beat other sounds are often sampled, synthesized, or performed. Sometimes a track can be instrumental, as a showcase of the skills of the DJ or producer.

Hip hop began in The Bronx, located in New York City, when DJs began isolating the percussion break from funk and disco songs. The early role of the MC was to introduce the DJ and the music and to keep the audience excited. MCs began by speaking between songs, giving exhortations to dance, greetings to audience members, jokes an...

Hip Hop is a culture centered around bettering yourself and being positive. There are 4 original elements.

Dance:
Breaking is the ONLY dance realated to hip hop despite what the media tells you. The only 2 adopted elements to the dance is popping and locking. If your not breaking, popping, or locking then your not dancing hip hop.

Music:
DJ: The hip hop art form of playing the music using records and involving scratching and extending beats. The most important element of hip hop, because with the beat there can be no emceeing or dancing.
Emcee: The art of rhyming and rapping. Make sure you understand the difference between "HIP HOP" and "GANGSTER RAP". While gangster rap is still in the catagory of hip hop because of the emcee and dj, it is not part of the hip hop culture because hip hop isn't about being a gangster.

Graffiti:
The visual art form of hip hop often using letters and characters. From tagging to murals using anything from markers to spray cans.

The meaning of hip hop has been lost over time. Its not about dressing a certain way, where your from, what nationality you are, or how much money you have. Its about being yourself, not being a mindless follower, and expressing your own creativity. Hip hop came from the ghetto, and the purpose of it was for people to better themselves. Rather than going out and shooting each other they could dance, or rap, or express themselves through art. Hip hop has been underestimated by a lot of people wh...

Hip Hop refers to the African American music genre and the culture which surrounded it. Its time of birth was gradual, making it difficult to name a specific year. Most sources agree on early to mid 1970's.
The music its self evolved from earlier and other 1970's black American muisic, such as Disco, Funk and Jazz.
This music paired with certain Jamaican cultures led to the use of MC's talking over the music at live shows, which would later progress into what is now known as rapping.
Other important elements to the culture include grafiti, dance (b-boys) and especially Dj'ing. Early Hip Hop music was made by a DJ using his turntables, mixer and records. The arts of cutting and mixing were used to sample parts of records to create a whole new track.
In todays sense, Hip Hop has developed huge mainstreem success, and Gangsta Rap has become less about the music and more about comercialism, making money and 'pimpin bitches.'
There is, however a large underground Hip Hop following, which vows to stay true to Hip Hop. Madlib being a prime example of a true Hip Hop artist.

Parralel to American Hip Hop although the lyrics embrace elements of Australian culture and politics. MC's rap in Australian ascent with less emphasis on 'bling' and 'Booty' etc

The hip hop police is a term used in the hip-hop industry for an NYPD department devoted to criminal activity within the Hip-Hop industry. Originating in New York and spreading to Police Departments of several cities. They are obviously mocked and disrespected within the hip hop industry for their overly aggresive investigations and constant stalking of high-profile rap artists. Usually the hip hop police don't take in artists to jail but offer them a deal to say a few names and they will be let go. Which unfortunately if you haven't noticed not many have been to jail as of late.

A highly controversial form of music. This is divided into two main categories: "old-school hip-hop," and "new-school hip-hop."

“Old-school hip-hop” refers to the time when this particular genre of music came into widespread popularity. This was the time in which the artist had to strive to make excellent songs in order to expand the number of people that chose to listen to the music. This is often referred to as “the good old days of hip-hop.”

“New-school hip-hop” is entirely different from “Old-school hip-hop.” The main difference is the lack of talent and time required to make a ‘hit.’ The art of making a hip-hop song in this new age is simple:

1) Create a catchy melody of short duration (minimum of 1 second, maximum of 8). Repeat this melody throughout the entire song, without a break. It is permitted to change the octave of the melody, and any instrument (including a voice) is acceptable. The only rules this melody must adhere to is that it is a) short, and b) repetitive.

2) Write the lyrics. The lyrics must pertain to one or more of the following subjects:

a) partying
b) how much money the artist has
c) how famous the artist is
d) how attractive the subject female (or more rarely, male) is, and the features which cause that attraction
e) what position and method of sex the artist did with, or wants to do to, the subject female (or male)

3) The song MUST be repetitive to the point of annoyance and it must take no longer than 30 minut...