Five songs that left their mark on hip hop history

Now, half a century later, and with the vast catalog of genres and subgenres associated with this culture, the styles of music that can be found in it are reaching unexpected limits. In turn, the explosion of technologies like the format MIDITransferring the composition to the digital environment, it made room for the producer figure and gave the singers, melody or auto tuning to circumvent any audio limitation.

fulfill vote Discussing the issues that have left their mark on the history of this movement (or any other movement) is as complex as it is frustrating. The most logical thing to do right now is to meet a criterion. decades and select songs that, beyond their scope and sales data, contribute in one way or another to maintaining, shaping and improving. reinforce hip hop to be what it is today.

“Planet Rock” – Afrika Bambaataa (1982)

Inspired by the figure of Kool Herc, the leader of the electro-funk group. Soulsonic ForceAfrican Bambaataa, He also began hosting parties with “breakbeats” in the South Bronx, whose patrons had escaped the hegemonic music of the time. At the gates of the second decade since the beginning of the movement, he would see the light. “Planet Rock”The flagship song of the time, courtesy of the band ‘Message’ Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

the effect of their voices synthesizers Over the 12 minutes that the original version of this single took, then reduced to seven and a half minutes, the song reached a multitude of genres with very different natures: House, techno anyone g funk are just some. Likewise, responsible production Arthur Bakermade possible thanks to the legendary Roland TR-808It was a rhythm machine before the advent of MIDI and still continues to appear in productions of important artists in contemporary times. Kanye West.

“Fuck the Police” – NWA (1988)

In the late 1980s, when there were big names like Kool Moe Dee, Slick Rick anyone LL Cool JWith such a subgenre as the genre would take on a distinctly rebellious identity. ‘gangster rap music’. in their first steps ice t And School D. The Public Enemy would follow them (whose ‘Battle with force’ can perfectly occupy this box) and NWA, with a clear influence from its predecessors.

While it’s true that ‘Fuck Tha Police’ isn’t the best-known track on the iconic album “Straight Compton Outta”with the same title song, the main hit of the Californian band headed by EasyThe message of protest against police brutality and what followed has left its mark on the industry forever. Censor against some stations, the group’s persecution and the popularization of the label ‘open’ they had just put a movement on the map that, after a few years of maturity, was on the verge of a turning point. hatching incomparable.

“Juicy” – The Notorious BIG (1994)

no doubt, ‘Aqueous’ It is one of the greatest works of rap and of course the author was made by the New York rapper. Celebrity BIG. The introductory letter from Brooklyn foreshadowed the legend that would evolve years later. golden age hip hop, which marked the confrontation between east and west coast from the United States, where talented rappers emerge from under the rocks. Tupac, Nas, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan, Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg or Big Pun are just a few examples.

The original idea of ​​’Single’ was: puff daddywho’s attempting to transform rap into more advertcontributed to the creation of one of the anthems of the genre. with incredible talent “storytelling”Biggie, who initially refused to publish the work in question, began to capture the authenticity of 1994 from the error-free introduction string. “It was all a dream”.

“In Da Club” – 50 Cent (2003)

After a phase of hostility that ended with the murder of Biggie and Tupac, hip hop needed a novelty. washing the face. With the turn of the century came generational changes that have already mimicked their names for years alongside other established rappers. Lil WayneFollowing the success of the Hot Boys group, he took his solo path with the launch of the first episode of the saga. “Carter”during Kanye West ‘rapper’ reveals face “College Leaving” after working hand in hand as a manufacturer jay z and the Roc-A-Fella seal. Both continue at the foot of the canyon twenty years later.

However, if a song completely changed the scene at the time, “At Da Club”related to 50 cents; Discovery of an Eminem who wasn’t afraid to sign him to Shady Records. Built on an ‘extraordinary’ rhythm that has been sampled countless times, this Dr. The Dre making reintroduced the genre that emerged from the underground parties of the Bronx. discos of the whole world.

“Versace” – Migos (2013)

With hip hop consolidating globally, the subgenres branch that made up the movement underwent a series of changes that distanced it from traditional protest rhetoric. This ‘trap house’ They have taken on the role of ‘block parties’ and pomp through money, drugs and guns has now become the central axis of styles such as: trapone of the products that emerged in recent years, raid music market in the United States.

Word does not go into the background: in most cases it simply disappears from the frame. This trend, which was heavily criticized by purists from the south of the North American country and rooted in genres of the past, was supported by figures such as: Gucci Mane, IT anyone Young Jeezy. However, it wasn’t until the explosion of other figures like. Teen Bandit anyone Friends when it crosses the borders completely. Openly, “Versace”, by the Atlanta trio, was the beginning of what it would sound like for a decade. Without a phenomenon the size of ‘Bad and Boujee’ or ‘Walk It Like I Talk It’, both from the same group, Quavo, Make it up and the deceased Subtract Trap floors that are already cemented, 91 The Italian luxury fashion brand is mentioned during the four-minute duration of the song.

women rappers revolution

Despite being a masculine culture, haunted by men, and having macho overtones like all music at times, hip hop has not been exempt from figures. feminine those who also support social change through their work. concurrence allegation Minorities in front of hegemonic powers and some female rappers have also managed to get the recognition they deserve. success Meanwhile. How else could it be that ten years 90 It was the time when this phenomenon was most repeated.

almost simultaneously, both little who like lauryn hill were part of respectively young mafia (founded by The Notorious BIG) and Refugees before embarking on solo careers. The first of these, born in Brooklyn, debuted with the album. “Hard” and started after Biggie’s death “Famous Who”. Since then, the singer has released three more solo works, the last of which is ‘9’ (2019), which led to her being considered one of the women. the most effective of rap history.

Having already demonstrated his versatility when it comes to combining rap with an extraordinary sound with Wyclef Jean and Pras, Hill has made his solo debut. “Lauryn Hill’s False Education” (1998). Despite the resounding success of this self-produced study, it was first certified. “Diamond disc” Acquired by a woman in hip hop, the New Jersey native revealed in an interview that she hadn’t received any new offers after her launch and she confessed. disagreements with the functioning of the music industry. As a result, the ‘live album’ saw the light of day “MTV Unplugged No. 2.0” and numerous collaborations with notable artists such as Nas, Whitney Houston or Bob Marley.

Already in the 21st century, certain timbre nicki minaj It started playing on American stations. Other famous female voices influenced by Lauryn Hill herself, for example Miss Elliot or mentor rapper Lil WayneThe Trinidad and Tobago-born artist earned ten nominations in the competition. Grammys five studio albums as well as countless hits such as ‘Anaconda’, ‘FEFE’, ‘Starships’ or the last one, the drill of “Barbie World” (with Ice Spice).