Rap

Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing. Other elements include beatboxing. Since its emergence from the South Bronx, hip hop culture has spread around the world. Hip hop music first emerged with disc jockeys creating rhythmic beats by looping breaks (small portions of songs emphasizing a percussive pattern) on two turntables, more commonly referred to as sampling. This was later accompanied by “rap”, a rhythmic style of chanting or poetry presented in 16 bar measures or time frames, and beatboxing, a vocal technique mainly used to imitate percussive elements of the music and various technical effects of hip-hop DJ’s. An original form of dancing and particular styles of dress arose among fans of this new music. These elements experienced considerable refinement and development over the course of the history of the culture. Hip hop originated, by most accounts, in the late 60s with Clive Campbell, also known as DJ Kool Herc. In fact, Herc is the person that brought the first hip-hop music to the Bronx […]

J Dilla aka Jay Dee crafted his style from about 1992 to 1997 in a basement in Detroit. His studio gave birth to a revolutionary approach to hip-hop production.

State of The Union bar was a lounge and live performance venue in North West DC, on the historic “U Street Corridor”.

Jookin is a part of the musical culture of Memphis. It started on the streets and on the wooden floors of the Crystal Palace Roller Rink in Memphis, Tennessee.

Sacramento has pivoted to a growing city embracing investment, and community involvement in arts, entertainment, and hip-hop like never before.

Spectacles Clothing Store and the Founder Zana are tastemakers in Detroit. Spectacles is a Detroit store selling eyewear, clothing, articles and books.

Maurice Malone opened the Hip-Hop Shop on the West side of Detroit on Seven Mile as a spot to sell his coveted jeans and leather clothing