The History of Rap Music

Rap music is undeniably one of the most popular music genres to date but how well do you know the history of rap?

What does ‘Rap’ actually mean?

Rap is actually a very old word. You can find the term popping up as early as the 15th and 16th century in Britain. Initially the word rap meant to strike or to hit.  A few centuries later, a slight variation of this definition appeared in which it meant to speak or talk. In America around the 1960’s it began to pop up in the black community and was used as a slang word to mean that someone was talking or having a conversation.

The Roots of Rap

Thousands of years ago in Africa, story tellers called “griots” (pronounced gree-oh) played basic handmade instruments while they told stories of their family and local current events. This style of talking while music is playing is rap music as we know it, at its root form. Still to this day, the griot is a major form of communication in Africa.

This griot tradition carried over when Africans were captured against their will, transported to America & forced into slavery. One way they would cope with the tremendous amount of pain & heartbreak of slavery, was to sing. While they were working in the fields, they would often sing using “call and response.” One person would call out a certain part of a song and the rest of the slaves would answer with the next line.

History in the Making

Rap as a genre began at block parties in New York City, in the early 1970s. DJs began isolating the percussion breaks of funk, soul, and disco songs and extending them. MCs tasked with introducing the DJs and keeping the crowd energized would talk between songs, joking and generally interacting with the audience. Over time, it became common for the MCs (or rappers, as they soon became known) to talk and rhyme over and in sync with the music.

Mainstream Rap

Within the next few years DJ’s & Rappers were popping up at every block party to showcase their talent, but record companies considered rap music just a fad, and didn’t want to invest their money. Rap music finally reached mainstream recognition in 1979, and by the 80s, rap songs were occupying spots on the top 40 billboard charts.

The Rest is History

What record companies thought was just a fad, rapidly grew into the most popular music genre of this decade. Rap music’s humble beginnings focused on bringing families together and uplifting each other’s spirits in times of heartache and pain. Since its inception, much has changed and evolved, but the essence of its heart and soul remains. 

Terms to Define:

Undeniably

Variation

Isolating

Sync

Mainstream

Humble

Inception