{Choose a musical genre/genres to feature in your magazine. List below the names of bands/artists that are part of this genre, a brief history of the genre and the type of imagery associated with it.

Layal TemrawiTask 6

Research into the hip-hop industry

Hip Hop was originated from the African American society in New York City during the 1970’s.

Hip hop culture is formed of four categories: Rapping; a form of rhythmic talking or poetry usually accompanied by

rhythmic instruments. Graffiti; artistic messages and drawings scribbled on public property Breaking; also known as ‘break-dancing’ is a style of street dance Dj-ing; when an individual plays recorded music to an audience

History of Hip Hop

Hiphop is mainly used to express concerns through lyrics, that deal with politics, social and personal issues. The genre became popular during the 70’s when block parties arose in NYC this is where DJ’s usually incorporated music such as soul and funk.

The essence of rap was the beat behind the words that allowed rappers to confide in rhythm. this included elements such as beat juggling, scratching and eventually breaks. Toasting a Jamaican tradition allowed Jamaican immigrants to contribute to the vocal style of rapping by performing simple raps at their parties.

During the 1970’s, some of the first hip hoppers including Kool Herc and Herculoids became to find fame in NYC. Breakdancing also arose during the era as b- boys and girls became to perform the style of dance to an audience.

Majority of artists in the hip hop industry were not solo artists but groups. Later on solo artists began to arise.

Hip Hop Artists

Christopher George Latore Wallace  also known as The

Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls was an American rapper and hip

hop artist and was born on May 21st 1972 and bread in  Brooklyn,

New York . In 1994 when he first released his debut album “Ready To

Die” he became infamous in the East Coast hip hop scene and

popularised the genre in NYC especially when the West Coast had

been popular at the time.  While recording his second album ‘Life

After Death’ Wallace heavily influenced the battle between the East

& West Coast. On March 9th 1997 the artist was killed by an unknown

attacker during a drive-by shooting.

His album was released not shortly after and was classed as the

Number one album in the U.S Charts obtaining a certificate that only

one in a few albums receive starting 2006 do to the flow within his

autobiographic and story-telling lyrics. He was later ranked as one of

the greatest MC’s of all time by publishers such as MTV and

About.com

The Notorious B.I.G

Kanye West

His first debut album was released in 2004 ‘The College Dropout’ and eventually began to release further records such as Graduation and Watch the Throne that was released in 2011 with no one other than Jay Z which has gone platinum receiving numerous awards. He is also one of the most awarded artists of all-time.

He also runs his own record label GOOD Music which is home to artists including John Legend and Kid Cudi. His trade mark is “ Dropout Bear’ that has been featured on five of his solo albums as well as several single covers.

Kanye Omari West is an American rapper amongst other things ( Film director and fashion designer) was born on the 8th of June 1977. The artist found fame by producing music for Roc-A-Fella records and working with successful entrepreneur Jay Z on his album The Blueprint.

His style of music evolved substantially. He started off using vocal samples from soul songs and incorporated them with his own instruments. However, eventually he began to widen his horizons by encompassing mixtures of 70’s R&B, classical music, trip hop …

Shawn Corey Carter also known as Jay Z (born

December 4, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York, United

States), is an American rapper , producer, record

player and as well as a former CEO of Roc a fella

records. He is regarded as one of the most influential

and successful American blend artists of the mid-90s

and early 2000s and is known for his use of metaphors,

free styling abilities, word play, flow, and blending of

street and popular hip hop. He is consistently ranked in

the top hip hop artists of all time and Forbes have

calculated the artists net worth estimated at $500

million. He has sold 50 million albums world wide and

has received about 14 Grammy awards for his musical

expertise while he has also been nominated for various

awards. Known as a power couple he is married to one

of the most successful female artists Beyonce Knowles.

Jay Z

Hip Hop Fashion

Hip Hop FashionThe Fresh Prince : Influence of the late 90’s and early 2000’s

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air is a sit come from the 90’s based on a fictionalised version of the famous artist and actor Will Smith. He has set a fashion trend by providing the first regular taste of hip-hop culture, that has come back to this generation. He has influenced the style of singers such as Kendrick Lamar . This includes everything from illustrious silk prints such as Versace shirts which had been popularised by rappers such as Biggie back in the day.

Ozone and Turbo are the stars of the 1984 flick Breakin’. Although not being musicians themselves they still had an influence over the evolvement of hip-hop attire and are considered hip-hop royalty. They brought elements such as parachute pants and studded arm bands into style.

Their style is still evident to the b-boys and girls of this generation. Clothing that is still popular to this very day chuck tailors, high tops and shell-toe Adidas.

Ozone and Turbo : Influence of the early 90’s

Jay Z interview with CNN

In the following interview Jay Z talks to CNN about

his newly released book that discusses the

importance of rap and how it is used as poetry to

express ones feelings. The interview is set out in a

formal manor and may be located in Jay Z’s house .

He also mentions that rap discusses topics involving

everyone in society ( e.g. politics…) and that it must

be reported as the news is . He also discusses the

importance it is for America to have elected it’s first

African American president Barrack Obama. The

interviewer asks him why he has chosen to write

and publish the book now and He discusses how

much wiser he is today as well as everything he has

come across over the years from having nothing to

everything. She asks him further questions about

his past ( at the age of 13 he was selling crack) and

what it has taught him at this day and age . He also

discusses how his business and image reflects on

who he is as a person and selling it would be like

selling himself to the public.

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSSaQyJ13Bo

This interview on the other hand is a more fun and has an informal vibe to it like a

chat, it also takes place in a cinema room. The interviewer (Channel 4) asks Pharrell

questions about him personally for example what he likes to do in his spare time,

what his favourite colour is and about his favourite food. He even jokingly mocks the

interview's accent which shows a light hearted and harmless conversation between

friends. The artist is wearing a cap and a vintage jacket which also supports the

informality of the interview, this allows the singer to discuss himself without feeling

pressured or stressed to say or do the right thing. The interview sometimes skips into

parts of his music videos and has some of his famous songs playing in the

background.

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xscB0_8a8bU

Pharrell Williams interview with Channel 4 - 2006