Hip-Hop was developed in the United States in 1970. Basically, hip-hop has five elements that are MCing/rapping, Djing, Breakdance, Beatboxing and Graffiti with the universal element being Knowledge. As a matter of fact, the genre got its recognition when block parties became popular in New York city. Mainly because of the youth residing in the Bronx. Furthermore, the 80’s marked the diversification of hip-hop, as the genre developed more complex styles.
Additionally, mid-1980’s and 1990’s era was the golden period of hip-hop. Artists like Juice Crew, Public Enemy, Eric B, Rakim, Boogie Down Productions and KRS-One, EPMD, Slick Rick, Beastie Boys, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Ultramagnetic MCs, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest to name a few contributed to the growth of the genre. On the other hand, a new sub-genre of hip-hop was introduced in the mid-1980’s called gangsta-rap.
Brief about Gangsta rap
Basically, gangsta-rap is an art form which glorifies gangsta lifestyle. This form of style was made famous by artists like Schoolly D and Ice-T and was popularised in the latter part of the 1980’s by groups like N.W.A. This style is known for mixing the political and social issues with crime oriented stories. Legends Tupac and Biggie changed the phase of Gangsta Rap when they took over the scene.
Also, during that phase, the black community faced a lot of humiliation and discrimination on the basis of their colour. That was also the main reason for artists to put out their feelings through songs like “Fuck Tha Police”, which remains relevant even today.
Hip-Hop accepted by the mainstream audience and it’s growth worldwide
The ubiquity of hip-hop music proceeded through the 2000’s with the genre progressively finding its way into the mainstream industry. In fact, we all know that hip-hop is a tool for explaining the complexities of daily life and empowering oneself through the power to speak, whether through spoken lyrics, graffiti art, dance, beatboxing skills or disc jockey mastery.
As a matter of fact, hip-hop is growing worldwide. Every country in the world has its own hip-hop culture now. The youth is highly influenced by this form of music. Hip-hop is the most consumed form of music in the world now. As a matter of fact, hip-hop recently dethroned ‘Rock’ music to become the most popular genre in the United States.
According to the sources “The first six months of 2017, R&B/hip- hop was responsible for 25.1% of all music consumption in the country, while rock claimed 23%. Hip-hop also leads in digital song sales and on-demand streaming”. Online streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music helped push hip-hop to become more popular than Rock music.
It’s Impact on Desi Hip-Hop
Similarly, when we talk about South-Asian countries, there is a rapid growth in the hip hop scene. We have seen good hip-hop music in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal too. Many labels in India signed various underground rappers. Artists like Brodha V, Sikander Kahlon, Divine, Naezy, and KRSNA are some of the artists who signed deals with major labels.
Also, the Desi Hip Hop underground scene is doing its best to promote hip-hop in their respective cities as well. When we talk about the underground hip-hop scene in India, rappers like Dee MC, Poetik Justis, Enkore, D’Evil and many other artists from Mumbai city are doing dope work for the scene. Recently Dee MC and Naezy went on a U.K. tour and represented India as well. From Bangalore, we have Smokey, Big Deal, MC Bijju and his crew making major moves. We also have some amazing talent from the northeast region like Stunnah, Mr.Bunny, Notorious Sam, Khasi Bloodz, as well.
On the other hand, Pakistan also has great talents like Xpolymar Dar, Chen-K, and Young Desi, who did a track for Kali Denali Music mixtape and one for Bilal Saeed. Apart from this, Bangladesh has also witnessed great hip-hop artists like Black Zang, Desi MC’s, K M Skibkhan Sayeed etc. According to the sources, Ashrap Babu was the pioneer of Bangla hip-hop in 1992. Stoic Bliss from NY dropped the first mainstream Bangla hip-hop album back in 2006.
After that, Deshi MC’s dropped their album in 2007 which laid the foundation of Bangla hip-hop. Also, hip-hop in Bangladesh became popular because the artist’s lyrical expression was about the cultural identity, with lyrics addressing the Bangladesh’s political and social problems.
All things considered, Hip-Hop has a great future in South-Asian countries. We have seen an immense growth in the culture from the past three years. With Hip-Hop surpassing a dominating genre like rock, it has been declared to the world that we are here to stay! Let’s make the scene bigger and better!