A Review Of The Golden Age Of Hip Hop

By Matthew Barnes


When discussing things that transpired during the late 1980s and at the turn of the 1990s, many topics come to the fore. For those passionate about the history of music, however, the era is synonymous with the golden age of hip hop. It is well known as a time when some of the best rappers the industry has ever seen came to light.

Some albums that got churned back in the day still get lots of airtime on radio and TV stations to date. Back then, a large percentage of the artists engaged in mainstream music operated from New York City. A new touch was integrated in modern music thanks to the diversity ingrained in the genre.

A large number of artists came into the fold at the time. They include Public Enemy, Slick Rick, Beastie Boys, the Jungle Brothers and LL Cool J among others. The albums they released remained top of the billboard charts for weeks on end and defined the way future generations embraced rap music. When the 90s drew to a close, artists like Eminem and Dr. Dre picked up the mantle.

Many ardent music fans recognize the era for the innovation it brought into the industry. The genre was reinvented at the turn of every new hit single. Unlike what happens these days, groundbreaking albums would be produced month after month back then.

The innovations also brought quick changes to the way tunes played out and the messages communicated through music. Beats and rhymes started to get faster. This was largely thanks to advancement in production technology. Many African American rappers also started to use their music to promote black activism.

One aspect that makes the age stand out is the way sampling was heavily done. New types of beats, patterns and riffs would come up rapidly. This gave rise to a new type of DJs and producers who could crank up tunes without the need for formal training. The style samples that producers infused in hip hop were heavily borrowed from funk, soul, jazz and rock n roll music.

The high volume of beats being sampled also created rapid changes in rapping techniques. Artists like Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, KRS One and Chuck D infused new styles that gained the adoration of fans. They were later to be credited as phenomenal by leading music pundits. With enhanced creativity, fans hand virtually nothing to complain about.

While some artists loved to glorify themselves in their lyrics, many conveyed messages of social protest. Issues such as politics, drug abuse, religion, culture, domestic violence and crime got much coverage. By covering these messages in their music, artists gained international recognition.

The large scale sampling that producers did gradually gave rise to lawsuits. Record labels began to file copyright suits against each other. Eventually, producers embraced the spirit of uniqueness, creativity and innovation.

Most of the hits produced today have a lot to credit to the pioneers of the genre. While many musicians today focus their subjects on self glorification, there is a growing need to address recurring social issues. With music, important messages can be put across to the masses.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment

Archives