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The History of MC'ING!!

Jakis Maximus... The Hip Hopologist dabble's into the history of MC'ING!! Thanks to www.busboy.sped.ukans.edu, for history lesson!!

In the beginning... "Rap" is not a new idea that sprung up in the music industry in the 80's and 90's. In fact, it has been evolving for decades. Rap's roots can be traced to the following influences: Cab Calloway.
Known for his signature "Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho" chant from "Minnie the Moocher". Starting back in the 1940's, Calloway used a call and response format with his audience, which is one of the foundations of rap.
Other musicians who have utilized this technique, or have utilized a monologue-style in their music, include the following:
Lou Rawls
Charlie Daniels
Bo Diddley
Arlo Gutherie
Peter, Paul, and Mary

African rhythms.
These complex rhythms have long been a form of communication. The very root of rap and hip hop is the rhythm - in the words as well as in the music that accompanies it.

The Djs in the Bronx.
Back in the 60s, young Djs like Kool DJ Herc, DJ Lovebug Starski, and DJ Hollywood began making a name for themselves by pushing huge speakers down the blocks, mixing records at block parties, and playing with turntables. Lovebug would put the records on and move them with his hands to make weird sounds with the needle.

The70s

The Djs in the Bronx - Lovebug, Kool Herc, and Hollywood - began to get gigs in the local dance clubs and discos. They would find an instrumental groove that they really liked, and then rig up the stereo to play it over and over. Joseph Saddler was one of these Djs. He began to learn his trade from Kool Herc. He would have two copies of the same record, then play them on two separate turntables. He would switch from one turntable to the other, repeating the selected groove. The guys he performed with chanted things like "Throw your hands in the air/And wave'em like ya just don't care!"
This type of crowd pleaser was known as "rapping" to the crowd.
Recording artists became interested in the increasing popularity of this, and took it to the studio. The first rap recordings were in 1979. The Fatback Band recorded "King Tim III", and the Sugar Hill Gang recorded "Rapper's Delight".

The unique thing about these two historic recordings is that they were made with live musicians. Rather than using instrumental grooves from records, actual bands made these recordings.

The 80s
Blondie was enjoying success as a pop musician. Her single "Rapture" which came out in the early 80s was quite a hit. Listen to just a clip of her rap:

1982...

Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five recorded the first political rap. Called "The Message", this recording launched the era of using rap to communicate strong and at times controversial beliefs.
From 1982 to 1985, rap artists were recording original music, rather than using instrumental grooves from prerecorded songs.
1986...
Sampling was born.
Sampling: A sampler is an electronic device which can precisely replicate an existing sound or track of music.
Rap artists began taking samples of previously recorded tracks and then re-recording over them. This is similiar to what the early pioneers of rap/hip hop, the Djs from the Bronx, were doing with the turntables. However, the rap artists of the 80s had the advantage of technology to make this a simple task.
Two things happened with this advancing technology: musicians began stealing from other musicians without giving credit, and musicians were being replaced with electronic samplers.
Some artists who have used samples from previously recorded work:
En Vogue. On their hit single "Never Gonna Get It", they have sampled the guitar track from James Brown's "The Payback". Listen carefully and compare the two recordings:

Mc Hammer. He has utilized bits and pieces from some of Prince's hits in his songs "Pray" and "Can't Touch This".

Yo MTV Raps
Up to this point in 1986, rap music did not have a white audience. MTV made rap accessible and desirable to all youth, both Black and white.

The 90s

Sampling.
Due to the legal implications which began to emerge due to this practice, this became the "not so cool" thing to do after awhile. Although samples can still be found during this time, rap/hip hop musicians began to do more with adding their own nuances and even adding harmonies and addditional instrumentation.
Another practice has been to utilize a pre-recorded song, either partially or entirely, to re-record a rap/hip hop song.
The following examples display this technique quite well:

Arrested Development.
Listen to this clip which demonstrates their rapping as well as their use of Sly and the Family Stone's "Everyday People":

Coolio.
The hit single "Gangsta Paradise" from the movie soundtrack Dangerous Minds is actually a remake of the song .......by Stevie Wonder.

A bad rap.
The Parental Advisory Stickers became a common sight on rap music being sold in record stores. Many rap artists are dealing with issues in very explicit ways - from politics to police brutality, drugs, sex, gangs and AIDS.
May rap artists have received a great deal of media attention due to arrests for drugs, gang activity, or even murder charges. This further fuels the ongoing debate of this music.

"Is this really music?" This is for the listener to decide. Rap/hip hop music can actually be quite complex. Musicians utilize techniques such as double timing, crossing the bar, polyrhythms, syncopation, and accents. These are all methods which enrich the rhythmic components of the song.

Other interesting tidbits
Some artists, like MC Hammer, will employ inner city kids in order to give them opportunities that they may not have otherwise.
Some artists will utilize different tricks to cover up cuss words, such as saying words backwards, not finishing the entire word, or glossing over the word.
Christian rap music is available. DC Talk, who recently released an alternative rock album, has recorded rap music.
How about white rap artists? That would have been the likes of Prime Minister Pete Nice, MC Search and Vanilla Ice, Baby...
Female rap artists? Queen Latifah and M.C. Lyte are just two.

Other interesting rap artists/albums of the 90's.

Boogie Down Productions (B.D.P.) "You Must Learn" - teaches African American History
Public Enemy "Can't Trust It" - deals with racial issues
rap artist compilation "We're All In The Same Gang" - deals with gangs and violence
Queen Latifah "Ladies First" - has songs about women's issues

Entering a New Millenium of Hip Hop and MC'ING!! HH2K!

This portion is on its way!! Still working on the history..

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