Title: “50 years of hip hop: a look back at the genesis of a major cultural movement”
Introduction :
Already 50 years ago, in a basement in the South Bronx in New York, a revolutionary culture was born: hip hop. Since then, this movement has become a major force in pop music, influencing not only the American music scene, but also that of many other countries, including France. In this article, we will come back to the genesis of hip hop, its precursors, its first stars, as well as the impact it had in France.
The official birth: August 11, 1973 at the Rec Room
Hip hop finds its origins in the basement of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the South Bronx, during a small party organized by Cindy Campbell to celebrate the end of classes. This evening brings together rappers, graffiti artists, break dancers and of course DJ Kool Herc, Cindy’s brother, considered one of the founding fathers of hip hop. Armed with his turntables and a mixing board, Herc mixes the breakbeats of James Brown’s classic, giving birth to a new musical style.
The precursors of hip hop
Before hip hop as we know it today, there were precursors who contributed to the birth of this movement. Among them, The Last Poets, a political poetry collective, the Watts Prophets and Gil Scott-Heron, a poet turned musician. These artists laid the foundations of hip hop by mixing spoken word, percussion and jazz funk.
The first hip hop stars
Hip hop experienced its first worldwide success in 1979 with the song “Rappers’ Delight” by the group Sugarhill Gang. This song, borrowing the instrumental from Chic’s hit “Good Times”, became a real phenomenon and paved the way for many other hip hop stars like Run-DMC, Eric B & Rakim, Public Enemy, NWA, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and many others. Each new artist brings their share of innovations and varied musical influences.
Hip-hop in France
In France, hip hop made its appearance in the early 80s. Two of the future greats of French rap, Rockin’ Squat from the group Assassin and Akhenaton from the group IAM, were among the first to get involved in this movement. They were inspired by the American hip hop scene and helped popularize rap in France. Other artists and activists have also emerged in other French cities, creating a diverse rap scene.
Conclusion :
Hip hop celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and there’s no denying the impact it has had on the music and cultural scene. From its humble origins in the inner city of New York, it has grown into a global movement, influencing generations of musicians and artists. In France, hip hop has also made its way, contributing to the diversity and evolution of the country’s music scene. Hip hop is much more than a musical genre, it’s a culture that continues to reinvent itself and make its mark all over the world