Hip Hop Dance History
“A Reflection of Hip Hop’s Past: Is it Still Relevant?”
Have you ever noticed the similarities between hip hop dance and African dance? Has the rhythm in African drums ever remind you of hip hop beats? How about Minstrel shows and the purpose behind them; are they similar to hip hop shows today? There is in fact a strong connection between the three topics and the hip culture. Hip hop is full of excitement, unity, passion and controversy. These characteristics of hip hop would be non-existent if it wasn’t for African dance, African drums and the minstrel shows. African dance was such an important factor in everyday life to all African people. Dancing was a form of expression and a form of communication. African people danced everyday nonstop. …show more content…
It brings the song to life. Like the African drum the beat is to keep people moving and dancing. In hip hop there is usually a DJ or an MC who plays music or tells a story which is similar to the Africans Griot. They set the mood and the tempo with music. The drum was like a story being told and hip hop beats are no different because beats explain a story through sound. Noticing dancing and music in Africa connecting to hip hop music today consider hip hop culture as a whole. The concerts, TV shows and the overall image of hip hop. How did it evolve to be what it is today? Perhaps the Minstrels shows played a part in this musical …show more content…
Hundreds of years later there still lives the same concept of black people putting on shows that embarrass the race but it makes them money and gives them fame. In hip hop it is seen often with rappers. Many rap artist are the target when comparing to Minstrel shows. This is because some talk ignorantly or with “slang”, dress like thugs or pimps and act as if they don’t care about life. This lifestyle is closely related to the minstrel shows because it’s done for money and fame not for entertainment or unity. Author Ken Padgett wrote in his article “Minstrel shows” that “…the setting has changed from idyllic plantation to the mean streets of urban America, the process remains the same…” this quote basically states that the culture hasn’t really improved but it just
Have you ever noticed the similarities between hip hop dance and African dance? Has the rhythm in African drums ever remind you of hip hop beats? How about Minstrel shows and the purpose behind them; are they similar to hip hop shows today? There is in fact a strong connection between the three topics and the hip culture. Hip hop is full of excitement, unity, passion and controversy. These characteristics of hip hop would be non-existent if it wasn’t for African dance, African drums and the minstrel shows. African dance was such an important factor in everyday life to all African people. Dancing was a form of expression and a form of communication. African people danced everyday nonstop. …show more content…
It brings the song to life. Like the African drum the beat is to keep people moving and dancing. In hip hop there is usually a DJ or an MC who plays music or tells a story which is similar to the Africans Griot. They set the mood and the tempo with music. The drum was like a story being told and hip hop beats are no different because beats explain a story through sound. Noticing dancing and music in Africa connecting to hip hop music today consider hip hop culture as a whole. The concerts, TV shows and the overall image of hip hop. How did it evolve to be what it is today? Perhaps the Minstrels shows played a part in this musical …show more content…
Hundreds of years later there still lives the same concept of black people putting on shows that embarrass the race but it makes them money and gives them fame. In hip hop it is seen often with rappers. Many rap artist are the target when comparing to Minstrel shows. This is because some talk ignorantly or with “slang”, dress like thugs or pimps and act as if they don’t care about life. This lifestyle is closely related to the minstrel shows because it’s done for money and fame not for entertainment or unity. Author Ken Padgett wrote in his article “Minstrel shows” that “…the setting has changed from idyllic plantation to the mean streets of urban America, the process remains the same…” this quote basically states that the culture hasn’t really improved but it just