Looking at the history of rap can be a useful exercise if you want to learn how to make a rap record. The form likely originated in the primitive settings of rural African villages long ago, where storytellers would mesmerize tribes with rhythmic storytelling against the backdrop of wild drumming.
This custom of preserving history and life stories through the power of the spoken word combined with music migrated across the ocean to the Americas, arriving with the first African slaves to see the New World. It evolved into forms of music such as jazz and blues, music that was rooted in the experiences of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those slaves.
Within the jazz movement, poet Gil Scott-Heron’s unique style created a model for many future rappers to follow, using his manner of expression as a foundation for honing their own styles. Then, from the late 1950s and 1960s, DJs began to sing hero stories or comedic episodes. The music was formed from dubs of Caribbean rhythms, a style once called toast. One of the first DJs to play in this form was known in clubs as Count Matchuki.
Rap music’s first big break came when the Sugarhill Gang hit the Top 40 with their song ‘Rapper’s Delight’ in 1979. It was the first rap song to achieve this distinction. It also started a trend that would cause considerable controversy among future rap artists. As the song used ‘Good Times’ by the group Chic in the background, the rappers were sued for copyright issues. They reached a settlement offering the plaintiffs a royalty deal.
Various types of rap have seen the light of day since the early days. The style popularized by the Sugarhill Gang, was renamed Old School Rap and its era spanned from 1979 to 1984. You may remember some other old school rappers like Run-DMC and The Fat Boys. A detailed examination of other subdivisions of rap will show that the different styles influence each other to some extent. MC Hammer, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill, and Coolio are famous rappers of the West Coast style of rap. East Coast rap is distinguished by some highly innovative rhyming skills and an aggressive backdrop of percussive beats. Jay-Z, Nas, P. Diddy, LL Cool J, DMX and the Notorious BIG are East Coast-style rappers. Gangsta rap has earned rap music in general much of its bad reputation for violent crime and explicit lyrics that don’t mince words. To explore this genre, check out rap songs by 50 Cent, DMX, Young Buck, Ice T, and Snoop Dogg. Other styles include southern rap, freestyle, hardcore, and also alternative rap.
The accusation is regularly made that rap lyric themes portray negative images of women. There are many women who have taken the art of rap and added their own twist to it. Just a few examples are Missy Elliott, Amil, Lil’ Kim, Queen Latifah, Yo-Yo, and Suga-T.
The style of rap music crosses borders to be found in many nations around the world. There is a lively rap culture in many African countries, characterized by artists such as Senegal native MC Solaar, Naeto-C, P-Square and 9ice, all Nigerians and also Passi from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There are many more talented rappers on the African continent.
When you want to know how to make a rap style stand out from your identity, there are plenty of examples to help you achieve your ambition.
