The world phenomenon of Hip Hop celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Filling up some of the biggest stages in history, it has influenced business, politics, culture, and fashion. But like most stories, Hip Hop had its humble beginnings.
Before artists like Biggie or the Beastie Boys, the Bronx welcomed a Jamaican immigrant, Clive Campbell, better known as DJ Kool Herc, who discovered a unique sound that would change music history forever.
Rap also influenced female rappers like MC Sha Rock, Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte, and Queen Latifah who spoke freely in their music. These women created a space for women to speak
Society’s beauty standards and expectations for women didn’t stop outspoken women like Missy Elliot, Lil Kim, and Da Brat from embracing their bodies and womanhood in a creative sense.
Rapper Ice-T introduced a concept known as “Gangster Rap” in California. Ice-T spoke on the “hustle” side of Hip Hop with songs like “6 in the Morning,” which introduced a way of speaking of harsh topics in a laid back tone. This is when groups like N.W.A took over America with their controversial image.
Freshman counselor and music artist David Canales said, “The Bay has always been this all inclusive place. We’re not perfect, but as far as subcultures that aren’t comfortable or safe in other places, come to the Bay Area and feel safer and more comfortable.”
With songs like “The Humpty Dance” by Digital Underground, Bay Area rappers would create a character that would entertain people.
This allowed for literary poet Tupac Shakur to impact Hip Hop history.
Canales added, “Pac came and he touched everything, and it’s hard for me to talk about a better artist, which doesn’t always mean better rapper, but Pac was an artist.”
