Glossary
Afrocentric Fashion (influence on hip-hop)
A style of dress that expresses pride in African heritage, which became a significant visual element within hip-hop culture.
Example:
The adoption of dashikis, kufis, and ankh symbols by some hip-hop artists in the late 1980s and early 1990s exemplified Afrocentric Fashion.
Black Arts Movement (influence on hip-hop)
An artistic and literary movement of the 1960s and 70s that laid the groundwork for hip-hop's fusion of music, lyricism, and cultural identity.
Example:
The emphasis on Black self-determination and cultural expression within the Black Arts Movement directly paved the way for the lyrical themes and artistic independence of hip-hop.
Black Panthers (influence on hip-hop)
A revolutionary Black nationalist and socialist organization whose political and social activism influenced hip-hop's socially conscious and politically charged content.
Example:
The assertive stance against injustice found in some early hip-hop lyrics can be seen as reflecting the confrontational spirit of the Black Panthers.
Blues
A genre originating from the raw emotion and storytelling of the American South, deeply influencing numerous subsequent musical styles.
Example:
The soulful guitar riffs and poignant lyrics of B.B. King's 'The Thrill Is Gone' perfectly embody the expressive nature of the blues.
Bo Diddley
An influential musician whose unique rhythms and beats, particularly the 'Bo Diddley beat,' profoundly shaped early rock and roll.
Example:
The iconic, driving rhythm heard in songs like 'Who Do You Love?' is instantly recognizable as the signature Bo Diddley beat.
Breakdancing (B-boying/B-girling)
One of the four main elements of hip-hop culture, a dynamic dance style combining gymnastics, martial arts, and African/Latino dance forms.
Example:
Watching a breakdancer execute a complex power move like a 'flare' or a 'headspin' showcases the athleticism and artistry of the form.
Call and Response
A musical conversation where a leader presents a phrase, and a group or another musician responds, common in African and African American music.
Example:
In a gospel choir, the lead singer might deliver a line, and the rest of the choir echoes or answers it, demonstrating call and response.
DJing
One of the four main elements of hip-hop culture, involving the manipulation of records on turntables to create new musical compositions and beats.
Example:
A skilled DJ at a block party might seamlessly blend two different songs, scratching and looping breaks to keep the crowd dancing.
Fusion of Music and Dance
The interconnectedness of musical performance and physical movement, emphasizing participation and communal expression in African and African American traditions.
Example:
During a lively New Orleans second line parade, the brass band's music is inseparable from the spontaneous, celebratory fusion of music and dance by the participants.
Graffiti Art ('Writers')
One of the four main elements of hip-hop culture, involving the creation of visual art using spray paint and markers, often on public surfaces.
Example:
A 'writer' might create an elaborate 'piece' on a subway car, using vibrant colors and intricate lettering to display their unique graffiti art style.
Grandmaster Flash
A pioneering DJ who developed and popularized advanced turntable techniques like cutting and backspinning, crucial to the evolution of hip-hop.
Example:
Grandmaster Flash's innovative use of the crossfader to seamlessly transition between records revolutionized DJing and rap music.
Hip-Hop
A cultural phenomenon originating from the Bronx, encompassing music, fashion, art, and dance, with a global impact.
Example:
The groundbreaking rhymes and social commentary of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's 'The Message' are foundational to Hip-Hop as a cultural force.
Improvisation
The spontaneous creation of music during a performance, a key hallmark of African musical traditions and central to genres like jazz.
Example:
A jazz saxophonist might engage in dazzling improvisation during a solo, creating new melodies on the spot over the song's chord progression.
Jazz
An innovative and uniquely American art form that emerged from New Orleans, characterized by improvisation and complex rhythms.
Example:
Louis Armstrong's groundbreaking trumpet solos in 'What a Wonderful World' showcase the spontaneous creativity central to jazz.
Kool Herc
Considered the 'father of hip-hop,' he pioneered the technique of isolating and extending the 'breaks' in funk and soul records for dancers.
Example:
At his legendary Bronx parties, Kool Herc would use two turntables to continuously loop the most danceable parts of songs, laying the groundwork for hip-hop.
Little Richard
A high-energy performer with a flamboyant style who was instrumental in defining the sound and aesthetic of early rock and roll.
Example:
Little Richard's explosive piano playing and shouts in 'Tutti Frutti' epitomized the wild, unrestrained energy of early rock and roll.
MCing (Rapping)
One of the four main elements of hip-hop culture, involving rhythmic spoken word delivery over a beat, often incorporating rhymes and storytelling.
Example:
The intricate wordplay and powerful social commentary delivered by an MC like Rakim demonstrate the lyrical artistry of rapping.
Portia K. Maultsby
A prominent scholar whose work, such as 'The Evolution of African American Music,' provides a comprehensive examination of African American musical traditions.
Example:
Students studying the historical development of Black music often refer to Portia K. Maultsby's seminal texts for deep insights into cultural continuities.
R&B (Rhythm and Blues)
A genre that fuses elements of blues, jazz, and gospel music, playing a crucial role in the development of rock and roll and soul music.
Example:
The smooth vocals and driving beat of Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' exemplify the powerful and influential sound of classic R&B.
Ruth Brown
An influential R&B singer whose success with Atlantic Records in the 1950s helped establish the label as a powerhouse in the genre.
Example:
Ruth Brown's hit song 'Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean' is a classic example of her powerful vocal style and her impact on early R&B.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
A gospel singer who pioneered the use of the electric guitar, significantly influencing the development of rock and roll.
Example:
Many consider Sister Rosetta Tharpe's electrifying guitar solos and powerful vocals to be a direct precursor to the sound of early rock and roll.
Spirituals
Songs born from the pain and hope of slavery, serving as a foundational genre for future African American music.
Example:
The powerful song 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' is a classic example of a spiritual that conveyed messages of hope and freedom.
Storytelling (in music)
The practice of sharing experiences, narratives, and cultural insights through the lyrics and musical structure of a song.
Example:
Blues artists often used storytelling in their lyrics to recount personal hardships, love, and social observations, making their songs relatable narratives.
Syncopation
The emphasis on off-beats or unexpected rhythms, creating a sense of rhythmic complexity and drive in music.
Example:
The distinctive 'Bo Diddley beat' is a prime example of syncopation, where the rhythmic accents fall in unusual places, making the music feel lively.
“Breakdancers in New York,” 1984
A significant visual source that captures the energy, style, and cultural impact of breakdancing in the 1980s, illustrating hip-hop's global spread.
Example:
The photograph “Breakdancers in New York,” 1984 vividly depicts how Black youth transformed urban spaces into vibrant stages for performance and creative expression.