Hip hop music

Hip hop refers to both a musical and a cultural genre that was developed predominantly by African Americans and Latinos (primarily of Puerto Rican ethnic heritage) in urban communities in the United States starting in the 1970s.

Sourced

• "Rap music is the only vital form of music introduced since punk rock."
  • Kurt Cobain, quoted by Karen Bliss (September, 1991). M.E.A.T. Magazine.

• Because most rappers started out with a DJ playing records for musical accompaniment (no live musicians), many rap records are based around the chords and bass lines of popular songs.
  • David Toop (1991). Rap Attack 2, p.17. New York: Serpent's Tail. ISBN 1852422432.

• The only trend I do not like in rap right now is the message rap. I consider the message rap the equivalent of what strings were to rock 'n' roll in the late '50s - a capitulation to the adult norm who can't accept the music on its own terms. The people who considered "Sixty Minute Man" by Billy Ward and the Dominoes, "Annie Had a Baby" - as the pinnacles of '50s R&B now are super uptight over the - in quotes - hotel/motel lyrics of rap. Rap is definitely as true to the essence of rock 'n roll as anything that's out there today.
  • Aaron Fuchs quoted by David Toop (1991). Rap Attack 2, p.120. New York: Serpent's Tail. ISBN 1852422432.

Unsourced

• "Rap is something you do, Hip-Hop is something you live"
  • KRS One

• "I really do think it's a great musical stench. I find it very offensive, artless and styleless. To me it's very reminiscent of thuggery, pop thuggery. I don't want to hear it at all."
  • Morrissey

• "Stimulant and sedative, original, repetitive, violently competitive -- a school unaccredited."
  • Mos Def