Countries like France, Brazil and even Japan have their own hip-hop culture. But where did this strange speaking-singing style come from?
Many centuries ago, in West Africa, traditional storytellers played musical instruments while they were telling stories. When this tradition travelled from West Africa to the USA, it developed into different musical styles. For example, blues and jazz. And in the 1970s, there were many poor areas in New York. There wasn't any money for music lessons in schools, so kids made their own music. Teenagers Africa and DJ Here played their records outside in the streets. Everybody joined in. MCs had rapping (说唱) competitions. Every week, there were talented new dancers, new DJs and new MCs. Hip-hop culture was born.
It was 1980. I was at a party in New York. There was a young DJ at the party. He was playing records. While he was putting a record on, a kid picked up a microphone (话筒) and began tapping. Some other kids were break-dancing to the music. It was loud and boring, and I hated it. I preferred jazz.
Today's successful American artists like Missy and her friend Tim heard it on the radio when they were growing up.
The last time I heard hip-hop, I was in West Africa. I was going to interview a traditional storyteller when I met a young hip-hop artist. He told me there are hundreds of rap groups in Africa today. We live on a hip-hop planet.
A. I remember the first time I heard hip-hop. B. You can find hip-hop everywhere you go. C. I was writing a book about African-Americans. D. These styles all started in poor African-American areas. E. During the 1980s, hip-hop became popular all over the USA. |
