Hip Hop Pioneers are often called out for continuing to make music in their late 40's and 50's. While some feel art has no age limit others look at rap as a youthful sport. Hip hop culture has influenced not just music but fashion, language, and attitudes worldwide. Beginning from the streets of the Bronx, Hip Hop reflects societal changes and cultural shifts. With a wide range of styles, and artists, many are left to debate, what happened to Hip Hop? Is it declining? The birth of Hip Hop arose as a voice for African American and Latino communities facing socioeconomic struggles. During block parties, DJs crafted unique sounds through scratching and beat mixing. marking the birth of a culture that included not only music but also graffiti art, break dancing, and distinctive fashion. Being flashy with high confidence is what Hip Hop represented.
The mid 1980's and mid 1990's are regarded as the Golden Age of Hip Hop. This era brought forth remarkable creativity, with artists like Nas and A Tribe Called Quest. Nas’s album "Illmatic," released in 1994, is often stated as one of the greatest hip hop albums, impacting numerous artists with its storytelling and lyricism.
Hip Hop music soon became a cultural movement. Influential labels like Def Jam and the rise of music videos helped expand Hip Hop's reach. Incorporating diverse influences paved the way for new genres and laid the foundation for future innovations like Neo-Soul. While this commercial success broadened Hip Hop’s audience, the quality of music started declining. Many artists began prioritizing profit over authenticity, raising concerns about whether this shift indicated progress or a detour from Hip Hop's original style.
As Hip Hop evolved sub-genres, such as trap, drill, and mumble rap became ideal. Each sub-genre catered to different audiences and cultural influences. For instance, trap music, rooted in the Southern United States, often portrays a gritty portrayal of street life, while artists like Lil' Uzi Vert and Migos had a more carefree approach.
Now that we have social apps like Tik Tok, YouTube and Spotify new artists now focus on trends and achieving instant fame which can overshadow the depth and complexity of their work. Artist tend to only focus on getting that 1 hit song rather than focusing on making a classic album that can bring longevity in the music industry. It seems that new artists have no knowledge of how Hip Hop was invented or respect the pioneers that came before them.