Hip-Hop

Historical Background

Hip hop was initially a dance style that began in the late 1970s among black and Hispanic teenagers in New York City.

Later rappers made their own mixes, borrowing from a range of musical sources – sampling – and talking over the music – rapping – in a form of improvised street poetry.

Four main elements of Hip-hop

MCing / Rapping

The art of rhythmically delivering rhymes, wordplay, and stories. MCs (Master of Ceremonies) not only entertain but often use rap to address personal experiences, social issues, or showcase lyrical skill. Freestyling — improvised rap — is also a key component of this element.

While rap is a musical style, Hip-hop is the culture that encompasses rap along with the other elements.

DJing / Scratching

DJs manipulate vinyl records on turntables, using techniques such as scratching (moving the record back and forth) to create unique sounds. Dis were the original foundation of Hip-hop, energizing crowds and providing beats for MCs to rap over.

DJing introduced a new way of making music by reimagining existing tracks, showcasing the creativity and innovation of early Hip-hop artists.

Breakdancing (B-boying / B-girling)

Breakdancing is a dynamic street dance that emphasises footwork, acrobatics, and freestyle movements. It evolved during the “breaks” in songs when DJs isolated percussive sections, giving dancers a chance to shine.

More than just dance, breakdancing represents individual expression and physical skill, fostering friendly competition and creativity within Hip-hop culture.

Graffiti Art

Graffiti involves creating bold and colourful visual art, often on walls, trains, or public spaces. Tagging (signing a pseudonym or name) is a common technique used by graffiti artists to claim space or leave a personal mark.

As a form of visual storytelling and rebellion, graffiti reflects the voices of marginalised communities, making it an integral part of Hip-hop’s identity.

 

Characteristics of Hip Hop

MCing / Rapping

  • sung in spoken voice
  • a way of singing that follows the rhythm and pitches of the lyrics
  • successive lines often end with the same rhyme
  • emotions are expressed through the timbre of the voice and the speed of text delivery

DJing / Scratching

  • the sampling of beat patterns or melodic riffs from existing musical tracks, mixing and recombining them in new ways
  • scratching is originally means of looping on a vinyl record; nowadays the scratching noise is often added in hip hop music to imitate the style of DJing

Groove

  • steady and recurring beat pattern; sounds created from drum machine or loops sampled from existing tracks

Vocal

  • call and response
  • contrast between rapping and singing between verse and chorus

Lyrics

  • emphasizes the rhythm of the language; words often drawn on pop culture; metaphors are used to convey sensitive or forbidden subjects
    • Internal Rhymes: Rhyming words within the same line, making the flow smoother
    • Multisyllabic Rhymes: Rhyming multiple syllables in sequence, creating intricate rhythms
    • Metaphors: Comparing two things to convey deeper meanings.
    • Double Entendre: A phrase with two meanings — one obvious, one hidden or suggestive.

Hook

  • a short melodic line that functions as a memorable refrain

 

Listening

2Pac, Dear Mama (1996)

“Dear Mama” is 2Pac’s 1995 tribute to his mother, Afeni Shakur: a reflective hip-hop ballad that acknowledges childhood poverty, family conflict, and her struggles with addiction while affirming his enduring love, gratitude, and respect for her.

The song is widely regarded as one of hip-hop’s most moving tributes to mothers because it treats vulnerability and resilience with equal honesty rather than idealizing either. 

 

MC Jin 歐陽靖, ABC (2007)

MC Jin’s “ABC” is a playful, self-aware Cantonese hip-hop track from his 2007 album ABC. “ABC” stands for “American-Born Chinese,” and the song uses Jin’s return to Hong Kong to explore cultural identity, language, and the gap between overseas Chinese upbringing and local Hong Kong culture.

The song’s charm lies in its double perspective: Jin proudly identifies as an ABC while also presenting himself as a student of Hong Kong’s fast-paced street culture, turning cultural difference into witty, energetic rap.