ORIGIN

Rebeca Hernandez Mendoza

Rap was born in the 1970s in the Bronx, New York (United States), within African-American and Latin communities that lived in conditions of poverty, violence and inequality. This genre emerged as a form of urban expression, where young people used the voice to tell their reality, express their identity and create a sense of community.

It emerged in street parties known as block parties, DJs mixed funk, soul and disco music. The MC’s (Master of Ceremonies) began to talk rhythmically about the beats: they gave announcements, animated the party and little by little they began to rhyme it.

Rap goes from the streets to recording studios.

The first commercial successes appear as:

Rapper’s Delight – Sugarhill Gang (1979-80). Political and critical rap emerges with groups such as Public Enemy. The rhyme battle and the competitive style are popularized.

DJ Kool Herc, was considered the «father of hip hop», developed the «breakbeat».

Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa helped consolidate the movement.