In the second week of the 2023 USC Annenberg Media, we shortly reviewed topics such as participatory politics, civic media , hip hop , visual literacy , and the history of Japanese in the United States. Gladly , we also got to review the change of digital media and how the thinking of youth developed over time. Although , all these topics were so outstanding and interesting , the learning of Hip Hop history stood out so much to me. Hip Hop is one the many genres in music that mostly includes rap and free styling.
It originated in Bronx, New York which eventually spread out to many different cities and soon to be global. Hip Hop was used for underground parties and breakdancing as a way to show African culture. In it’s first prime, it was used to reflect about the socioeconomic status surrounding the artists and a way to unite the community. Furthermore , artists started to gain deeper thinking about the future of the rap game , using it for economic profits and fame. Given it’s context , hip hop has changed many different ways over time BUT the VOICE did not.
Hip Hop is another way to engage with others within the community and globally, I see it as a way to relate to others. Many generational artists used music to speak out for the community which speaks very deeply for many citizens. I speak for many , music do hit different when you can relate. Through rap , many citizens have became more aware about their status and surroundings , giving them for more motivation.
Over the past few decades , the term “Trench” has become more implemented in Hip Hop. Trench is originally used to describe the military coverage used by the soldiers in World War I. Rap Artists have now described “Trench” in their music as a “wicked ghetto neighborhood”. When fans hear that term now, they become more conscious of the economic crisis they’re in and get more motivation to make it out the “trenches”. Overall , this has been one way Hip Hop express their experience and express back to the community.
In summary , Hip Hop has became so improvised that it unites society together and makes others connect with one another. It deeply impacts the lives of each person as they gain more self conscious. Artists have the ability to tell stories forming a new form of culture. En conclusion, Hip Hop will always be developing each decade but the VOICE will always stay.
Communicating Change 