Celebrating Black Music Month: Hip Hop, Rap and the Generation Gap

Hip Hop, Rap and the Generation Gap 06/10 by Helpful Educational Resources | Blog Talk Radio

by:  Seandra Sims
The month of June spotlights “Black Music Month,” and over the years, the contributions of Black Americans to the world music scene are undeniable.

Long before slavery was abolished, Jim Crow laws were overturned, and the rebellion of the Civil Rights Movement, Black folks found a way to transform their music into the voice of a people – to convey happiness, creativity, and secret messages, and to channel their collective pain. From those early days came Jazz, Blues, Gospel, R&B, soul, Hip-Hop, Reggae, and even Rock –- all uniquely Black in origin.

These days, Black music has expanded and innovated to the point of permanently changing the global Pop Culture landscape. Some would argue that Hip-Hop, the youngest of the African-inspired genres, is the most influential due to its overwhelming marketing and cultural dominance. Since its introduction in the 70s, when DJs started sampling soul greats such as James Brown over simple break beats, to the red-black-and-green political days of the ’80s, to the flossy, techno-infused international sounds of today, make no mistake. Rap has mattered.