Rap music has grown from its beginnings in the late seventies and early eighties as an urban street phenomenon to become one of the dominant forces in both music and pop culture. Rap sells millions of records each year worldwide, and influences trends in society ranging from fashion to art to even language.
Most agree that rap was born on the streets of New York City, where DJs would hold impromptu street parties, spinning records as a rapper, or "emcee" rapped freestyle lyrics over them. Along with breakdancing, and graffiti art, rap became one of the cornerstones of hip-hop culture. Early singles released on independent labels like Sugarhill and Tommy Boy soon gained artists like The Sugarhill Gang and Kurtis Blow national followings, while DJs like Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa pioneered the DJ techniques of scratching and mixing.
By the mid-1980s, rap artists like the Beastie Boys and Run-DMC had released million selling albums, and the largely African-American fanbase of rap made inroads into the white music community. Today, the rap industry remains a vital force in music. Artists like Lil' Wayne, Kanye West, and Eminem sell millions of albums, while the blogosphere has become fertile ground for both fans and aspiring artists.
by Glen Boyd
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