Running head: THE ORIGINS OF HIP HOP Lawrence 1
The Origins of Hip Hop
Abstract
Rap/Hip Hop is a genera of music that has been part of American culture for decades. The way
we dress, talk, and act has a lot to do with hip hop culture. The shows and movies that we watch
and the videogames that we play are also influenced by hip hop because the music is heard in
these movies and video games. The research that has been collected over the last few weeks will
examine the origins of this genera of music; it will also explain how this genera gave a
generation of black youths a voice, and it will examine how rap music was used to combat the
racist ideals of conservative America.
Running head: THE ORIGINS OF HIP HOP Lawrence 2
Rap music is a genera of music that has had a major influence over American society for
many years, and it is one of the most popular forms of music today. This genera is so popular that
it has reached popularity in many other countries. It may be one of the most popular genres
today, but the genera has had a long history of controversies. There was a time when middle
America didn’t approve of Rap/Hip Hop music. The artists and people who were part of hip hop
culture faced a lot of racial discrimination during the early days of hip hop.
Hip Hop was a culture that started as a movement that combated racial oppression
amongst disenfranchised African Americans. This was a culture that was created to raise the
spirits of the black community. According to The New H.N.I.C. “Hip Hop culture is for all
intensive purposes a modern-day social movement that forces us to redefine what we would
normally allow as acceptable in this regard” (Boyd, 18). Hip hop is composed of graffiti, rap, and
