Hip-Hop: Origins, Evolution, and Cultural Impact

The broadcast media industry, whether radio or television, revolves around capturing and selling audience attention to advertisers. By the early 1980s, the global economy was growing, and people were spending more disposable income on entertainment. Consumers were not just buying necessities but also indulging in things they desired, creating a commercial goldmine - a trend that persists today. During this period, a significant shift occurred: television began to overtake radio as the primary promotional platform for the music industry. Run-DMC and Adidas deal: the shape of things to come financially, quick look at music business revenue streams. MTV Yo! MTV Raps: an obvious acceptance of the financial potential of hip-hop

In this module we're going to have a look at the techniques employed to create hip-hop music. What is fascinating about this module is that there were very few musicians who are trained in music or could play musical instruments who are at the centre of the creation of hip-hop. The creation was need-based. Hip-hop was created because people like to dance on particular part of particular songs and if only those particular part I played those people would dance for longer. In this module will have a close look at the equipment that hip-hop DJs use and how they use it. DJ & Rapper: different type of band on stage, Technics SL-1200 MKII: one thing remain constant throughout hip-hop and disco and EDM, The DJ mixer: it looks simple and the Crossfader is the heart of it, Hip-hop DJing: the technique by which hip-hop DJs use turntables as samplers, Why are they called DJs: the meaning behind the two words.

Here we explore how hip-hop shaped attitudes, fashion, and street art. From Bronx block parties to global stages, hip-hop was defined by breakdancing, graffiti, rap battles, and bold streetwear. Icons like Run-DMC and Grandmaster Flash led the way, but as the 80s progressed, they were upstaged by new hip-hop pop stars—bringing gold chains, bling, and attitude, though with less substance. The sad state of 80s hip-hop: mostly pop + Rap, Attitude and Stance, Clothes and Shoes, Graffiti and Art, Breakdance, Rap Battles

For most of the 80s the majority of hip-hop was produced and promoted on the east coast of the US. But by the second half of the 80s hip-hop fans were growing weary of pop lyrics and wanted something more real, something they could understand and relate to, something that wasn't just in their context but wasn't in the context of the record executive driven pop songs that use hip-hop production techniques and would have a rap instead of an instrumental solo as part of the song. Shift: from East Coast hip-hop to the west, N.W.A: Reality rap and the sound from the streets, East Vs West: as a promotion or marketing tactic, a brilliant idea but things went too far, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube: the legends continue

For most of the 80s the majority of hip-hop was produced and promoted on the east coast of the US. But by the second half of the 80s hip-hop fans were growing weary of pop lyrics and wanted something more real, something they could understand and relate to, something that wasn't just in their context but wasn't in the context of the record executive driven pop songs that use hip-hop production techniques and would have a rap instead of an instrumental solo as part of the song. Shift: from East Coast hip-hop to the west, N.W.A: Reality rap and the sound from the streets, East Vs West: as a promotion or marketing tactic, a brilliant idea but things went too far, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube: the legends continue

By the 90s, hip-hop was thriving with money and excess. On the West Coast, it glorified spending on parties and good times, while the East Coast focused on making money, often through violence and drug dealing. As the East-West rivalry wore on, the hip-hop community and fans shifted focus to emerging superstars dominating the music industry. Biggie Smalls: not the nicest nor the most honest, Tupac Shakur: the smartest and most prolific, Snoop Dogg: all about the flow, Eminem: coming from Detroit with all the hardships on his back and an attitude that continues

Five decades later and hip-hop is growing more important and central to youth culture than ever before. In almost every language in almost every country there is a version of hip-hop that is contextualise to the culture of the people who make local hip-hop and the fans who enjoy it. In this last module we have a look at one song in particular that broke so many rules that it became a hip-hop anthem because of it and also, what has been happening in world's largest economy in the, India. "Same Love": lyrics take hip-hop to an ever-growing audience, "Mere Gully Min": authentic sound from a Desi Street, Gully Boy the movie: what Saturday Night Fever did for disco, MC Stan: the exciting sound of a new, very young Desi Hiphop, Hanumankind: Wall of Death educated risk taker