What is Hip Hop Music?

Hip Hop music is a genre that uses rhythmic beats to accompany a lead rapping vocal. This is a very popular genre of music and one of the main components of what is considered Hip Hop culture (this includes fashion, among other things). Many instrumental acts, where DJs perform without vocals, are also filed under Hip Hop music. This has become more popular as mixing and sampling techniques have matured in recent years.

Origin

Hip Hop music was born out of the Bronx in New York City in the 1970s. It was initially popular among African Americans and Latinos, but the music has spread out since then.

Characteristics

The main characteristic of Hip Hop music is a clear beat, often in the 4/4 musical signature. This beat is sometimes accompanied with rap vocals.

Sampling

The beats in Hip Hop music are often sampled or mixed together. What this means is that a DJ will take previously made beats (electronic or otherwise) and mix them with others to create a unique beat for a particular song.

Genres

There are a number of subgenres of Hip Hop that have popped up during the history of the music. These meld Hip Hop with other musical styles to create original ones, such as electro-hop, rap rock, gangsta rap, country-hop and horrorcore.

Geography

The two main areas where Hip Hop developed are New York City and California, creating the East Coast and West Coast Hip Hop rivalry. Hip Hop has also made a name outside of the United States, heavily influencing music in the Caribbean and across the ocean in cities like London.