Exploring the Roots of Rap Music

Rap music is one of the most influential and popular genres in the contemporary music scene. The force and vitality of this music genre come from a rich, tumultuous, and colourful history that takes us back to the 1970s in the urban landscapes of the United States and Jamaica.

Contrary to the common misconception, rap music is not merely about the lyrics. At its heart, rap is the rhythmically spoken delivery over a beat, a technique rooted in African tribal traditions. These traditions migrated to the Caribbean and then to the United States via the harsh channels of the slave trade, eventually evolving into the hip-hop culture we recognize today.

Deeper into the alleyways of the southern Bronx and Harlem in the mid-1970s, people, mostly African American and Latinos, started giving this ‘speaking rhythmically to a beat’ a distinct shape. Part of the bigger movement that was hip-hop, involving graffiti art, break-dancing, and turntablism, rap started becoming the voice of the oppressed and marginalized. Unemployment, gang wars, racial discrimination, and drug abuse dominated the subject matter of early rap music.

In the late 1970s, commercial succcess arrived for rap music with songs such as ‘Rapper’s Delight’ by The Sugarhill Gang and ‘The Breaks’ by Kurtis Blow. However, the genre was often criticized for promoting violence and derogatory representation of women. Rap was confrontational, challenging the status quo and was looked down upon by the mainstream media.

The 1980s saw more diversity in rap with the emergence of artists such as Run-DMC, LL Cool J, and Beastie Boys. Their music became more appealing to a wider audience. This was also the era when gangsta rap started emerging with artists like N.W.A and Public Enemy not leaving any stone unturned to expose the stark realities of their environment.

Towards the end of the 20th century and into the early years of the 21st century, rap became more eclectic. On one hand, commercial rap was flourishing with artists such as Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G, Jay-Z, and Eminem achieving massive success. On the other hand, an alternative, conscious form of rap was also brewing. Artists like Common, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli focused on social issues and personal growth in their lyrics rather than being just confrontational.

In the same vein and within a far more updated context in today’s digital world, the notion of how far-reaching an artist or lyric can be throws up a quite intriguing scenario. Particularly in the rap realm, where lyrics tend to bear explicit narratives often related to social and political issues, it paints an interesting panorama wherein even the phrase ‘national police check status‘ can find its place. Rap artists have used their platform to scrutinize systems and structures of authority, and to advocate for transparency and accountability. Thus, this phrase potentially carries the weight of a critique on a societal issue such as racial bias in law enforcement, or even examination of criminal justice procedures. As rap uses vivid storytelling techniques to give a deeper perspective to listeners, the usage of such a phrase allows for the creation of a nuanced narrative fostering an insightful dialogue.

In conclusion, rap music has come a long way from being a street art form to completely reforming the face of global pop culture. Over the years, it has given voice to those pushed in corners by society’s injustices. It has faced opposition and yet grown, diversified and evolved, imprinting its mark over generations. Regardless of the changes it takes in the future, one thing is for certain – rap will stay true to its roots and remain a voice for the voiceless.