It’s August 11th and today the US celebrates National Hip-Hop Day. Over the years, hip-hop has entered mainstream music genre worldwide. It happened thanks to many superstars, but also because of a subculture that the youngest generations like a lot. Today, it is perhaps more popular than ever. It’s spreading through social media like a virus and becoming the life soundtrack of millions of individuals. There is no better time in the year to remind ourselves of hip-hop history and the masterpieces it has brought, so let’s do it.
Short View at the Hip-Hop History
Early hip-hop music appeared in the 1970s in the New York City, more precisely Bronx. It all began in this poor district, when the young people from Bronx and other communities started creating their own forms of cultural expressions. They loved breakdancing and doing graffiti art the most. The art they produced represented the voice of people living in bad economic situation as the majority of these young people were unemployed. Crime and poverty rates were also high.
So, they started playing records at parties and made hip hop more than just a music – a cultural movement that incorporates different elements of art. Hip-hop pioneers are DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash. These three innovators are known as the “Holy Trinity” of hip-hop. DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cindy hosted a back-to-school in the Bronx. The event is known as the birth of hip-hop and it happened on this date in 1973.
Hip-Hop Expansion
The rise of internet, social media and streaming services brought explosion of artists, tracks, and experiments. Nowadays, there are dozens of subgenres, including trap, gangsta rap, mumble rap, Latin hip-hop and more. Some of the artists that have been most popular in recent years are Post Malone, Future, Migos, Travis Scott, Drake, The Weeknd, Cardi B, 21 Savage, and Doja Cat.
10 Most Influential Old-School Rap Songs
There are some songs we all remember. So, let’s get into time machine and remind ourselves of all-time popular hip-hop songs. We had a quick voting in our offices, and this is the list of all-time favourites according to our team. These are some of the songs that really represent hip-hop, rap and capture what you feel to be the essence of the genre.
- The Notorious B.I.G – Suicidal Thoughts
- 2Pac – Dear Mama
- Eminem – Lose Yourself
- NWA – Fu*k the Police
- 50 Cent – In Da Club
- Public Enemy – Fight the Power
- Jay Z – 99 problems
- Ice Cube – It was a good day
- Nas feat. AZ – Life’s A Bi*ch
- The Notorious B.I.G. – Juicy
It’s very hard to make a list of only ten songs between so many masterpieces, but we hope you loved some of these. Feel free to leave your favourites in the comments bellow. We can’t wait to hear what takes you back in the past and brings valuable memories.
We hope you have enjoyed and found hip-hop history interesting. Hopefully, we will see you at our Casino Brango soon, playing some of the various games we have to offer you. Visit us and use all the advantages we have to offer!
Now, turn up the volume of your fav song, and let’s “fight till the last August!”
Ambitionz Az A Rida by Tupac and Hail Mary would be my second. My top ten would be a little different the yours lol. Cool article
Awesome