Task 05: Genre Research - Hip Hop Music + Key Learning Points

Hip Hop 

"Hip hop music, also called hip-hop or rap music, is a music genre formed in the United States in the 1970s that consists of a stylized rythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted. It developed as part of hip hop culture, a subculture defined by four key elements:

- MCing/rapping

- DJing/scratching

- Break dancing

- Graffiti writing.

Other elements include sampling (or synthesis), and beatboxing. While often used to refer to rapping, "hip hop" more properly denotes the practice of the entire subculture. The term hiphop music is sometimes used synonymously with the term rap music, though rapping is not a required component of hip hop music; the genre may also incorporate other elements of hip hop culture, including DJing, turntablism, and scratching, beatboxing, and instrumental tracks. Hip hop as music and culture formed during the 1970s when block parties became increasingly popular in New York City, particularly among African American youth residing in the Bronx." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_hop_music

Artists (Examples)

Wiz Khalifa - See You Again ft. Charlie Puth

Drake - One Dance ft. Kyla $ Wizkid

Big Sean - Blessings ft. Drake & Kanye West 

Conventions of Hip Hop Music

- Conventional themes such as relationships, everyday struggles, gang culture and prejudice
- Loud
- Smooth/upbeat tempo
- Melodic
- Catchy chorus
- Energetic
- Steady beat

Conventions of Hip Hop Music Videos
- Close up shots and motifs
- References to looking/voyeurism
- Intertextuality
- Sports cars and big jewellery that makes a statement
- Exotic locations
- Usually portray the sexuality of women
- Usually dark colours and simple settings

What did you learn from this task?

I learnt;

• How to identify a music video through it's genre codes and conventions
• About the background knowledge for various music genres
• About the codes & conventions of a specific genre's music
• About the codes & conventions of a specific genre's music videos