∆ HIP-HOP ∆ TRI-FOLD ∆

For our event on Saturday, Cameron, Drell, Nyno, and I are working on a tri-fold poster focusing on DJing/MCing. For this we have decided to make a playlist focusing on 10 hip hop songs we regard as some of the most important paired with information on all the artists. We figured since that children will be attending this event, that we should do our best to keep the playlist's profanities to a bare minimun, with out leaving out anything too substantial. Also, the information on the poster will be written in a way we hope will be engaging enough to those of a younger age. The playlist consists of the following:

- (1979) Rapper’s Delight – The Sugarhill Gang
Recognized as the first recorded hip-hop track, Rapper's Delight was the song that popularized hip-hop. The Sugarhill Gang was put together by Sylvia Robinson, a businesswoman who was attempting expose the world outside of New York to the genre. She was successful in doing so in that the song entered the US Top 40. This song greatly differs from the hip-hop we hear today in that it is still very relevant to the disco scene of the 1980s. 

- (1982) The Message – Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
Known for their pioneering DJ techniques, The Message was one of the first popular hip-hop songs and a staple in what is now known as "conscious rap." The song tells the story of the struggles and setbacks that come from living in the projects of The Bronx. Through subject matter dealing with drug addiction, violence and racial profiling, The Message exposes listeners to a more serious and thought-provoking side of hip-hop.

- (1982) Planet Rock – Afrika Bambaataa
Bambaataa was one of the most important figures in hip-hop for perfecting the art of DJing. His roots trace back to the birth of hip-hop, the South Bronx in the early 80s. Although emerging from gang culture, Bambaataa has managed to convey his peaceful message to generations of listeners.This song shows his innovations as well as his credibility for combining old school hip-hop with electronic music.

- (1988) Fuck Tha Police –N.W.A.
Perhaps on of the most controversial rap songs ever recorded, Fuck Tha Police was at the forefront of what is now considered "gangsta rap", a grittier style of hip-hop that focuses on the criminal life of rappers coming out of of harsh ghettos. Through lyricism that condones violence towards police officers, N.W.A. were able to express their frustration and contempt against the police force. Though this message may have been gratuitously violent, the impact left by the group would forever change hip-hop by allowing it to be a cultural statement about the extreme ways of dealing with opposing forces.


- (1989) Fight The Power – Public Enemy
Public Enemy have been know for their rebellious attitude projected through their music. In this track, they focus on the power struggle in African American communities. The song feels very confrontational, almost as if it were a public address, supported by lyrics such as "Now that you've realized the pride's arrived / We've got to pump the stuff to make us tough / From the heart / It's a start, a work of art / To revolutionize." The song attempts to spread awareness of racism and prejudice that surround black communities, through using its fast-paced beat and loud, aggressive lyrics. 

- (1989) Shadrach – Beastie Boys
Originating as a punk-rock band, Beastie Boys gained attention for their humorous, yet abrasive take on the genre. The group is acknowledged for their advanced usage of using multiple layers of beats and their diverse range of musical samples, as well as being the first famous white rappers. 

- (1994) Everyday Struggle – The Notorious B.I.G.
Biggie was the central figure in the 90's East Coast rap scene (often considered the Golden Age of Hip-Hop), which resulted in a vicious feud with West Coast rappers of the time, particularly 2Pac. Biggie's lyrics often involved drug dealing and fierce violent imagery, taking a more mafia-style approach to gangsta rap music. The violent life Biggie rapped about would eventually be met with his untimely death in a drive-by shooting in 1997, a murder which is still unsolved.

- (1996) Can't C Me – 2Pac
Emerging from Los Angeles, 2Pac is known for his unique way of combining hardcore gangsta rap with loving, thoughtful lyrics. In certain songs 2Pac promotes violence and and misogyny, where in others he condones sexism and spreads the message of peace. Overall, it is difficult to classify 2Pac as a gangsta rapper or a conscious one. It seems as though his violent messages are what were most impressionable though, as like Biggie, 2Pac was killed in an unsolved drive-by shooting in 1996. 


- (2004) 99 Problems – Jay-Z
Jay-Z is perhaps the most successful rapper of all time. Through his many entrepreneurial involvements, including ownership of The Nets, founder of Rocawear clothing, and friend of Barack Obama, Jay-Z has shown the possible successes that can emerge from rapping.  In 99 Problems, he tells the story of police racial profiling in a way that differs from normal rap lyricism and becomes more of a short story. The song is also noted for its stripped-down beat, which has since become a common trend in many of today's hip-hop songs.

- (2006) Hip Hop Is Dead – Nas

Nas broke ground in 1994 with the release of Illmatic, an album that will forever influence modern hip-hop. In 2006, he released Hip Hop is Dead a hyper-critical song about the current state of hip-hop. 

"Everybody sounds the same, commercialize the game

Reminiscin' when it wasn't all business

It forgot where it started

So we all gather here for the dearly departed"

With this song, it became evident that hip-hop had officially taken a drastic turn, as every genre does. Nas employed  his lyricism as a way to reminisce on the origins of hip-hop and trace its forever-changing history.