11/08/2017

A Review Of The Golden Age Of Hip Hop

By Matthew Barnes


When discussing things that transpired during the late 1980s and at the turn of the 1990s, many topics come to the fore. For those passionate about the history of music, however, the era is synonymous with the golden age of hip hop. It is well known as a time when some of the best rappers the industry has ever seen came to light.

Some of the music albums released in the era still get massive airplay today. At the time, most of the artists associated with mainstream music came from the New York metropolis. The genre was diverse and heralded a new kind of feel to modern hits.

Many internationally acclaimed artists made their mark during the era. They include Slick Rick, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, the Jungle Brothers and Public Enemy just to mention a few. Their hits topped the billboard charts for long and served as a benchmark for future rappers. At the end of the 1990s, artists such as Dr. Dre and Eminem started to emerge.

Many music enthusiasts know the era for its innovative contribution to the industry. Every single hit being churned back then reinvented the genre. Unlike the long breaks that fans often get treated to these days, pioneering albums would be released month in month out.

The innovative music created also heralded a change in the beat styles and messages conveyed through lyrics. Rhymes and beats began to play out faster. This can be credited to the technological advancement brought in equipment manufacturing. Many rappers of African descent also began writing lyrics that promoted anti racism statements.

One unique aspect of the era is the massive sampling that producers did. New kinds of patterns, riffs and beats came up in quick succession. This created a new breed of DJs and music producers who did not require formal training to do their work. The sampling integrated in hip hop was largely influenced by jazz, funk, soul and rock n roll.

The high volume of beats being sampled also created rapid changes in rapping techniques. Artists like Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, KRS One and Chuck D infused new styles that gained the adoration of fans. They were later to be credited as phenomenal by leading music pundits. With enhanced creativity, fans hand virtually nothing to complain about.

While some artists centered their lyrics on self glorification, many wrote songs of social protest. Social issues that got much attention through music include drug abuse, crime, culture, religion, politics and domestic violence. With hit after hit centering on these issues, the genre quickly began to gain popularity worldwide.

A large number of lawsuits eventually came out of the massive sampling of beats done by producers. Courts handled mounting cases of copyright infringements by record labels. Eventually, the whole concept of sampling died out as beats became more creative.

Majority of music hits released these days can be linked to the pioneering effects of the genre. Despite the over emphasis on self glorification today, recurring social problems ought to be addressed through music. Such messages can create a positive impact in society.




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