Hip hop music, also called hip-hop or rap music, is a music genre developed in the United States by inner-city African Americans in the 1970s which consists of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted. It developed as part of hip hop culture, a subculture defined by four key stylistic elements: MCing/rapping, DJing/scratching with turntables, break dancing, and graffiti writing. Other elements include sampling beats or bass lines from records (or synthesized beats and sounds), and rhythmic beatboxing. While often used to refer solely to rapping, “hip hop” more properly denotes the practice of the entire subculture. The term hip hop music is sometimes used synonymously with the term rap music, though rapping is not a required component of hip hop music; the genre may also incorporate other elements of hip hop culture, including DJing, turntablism, scratching, beatboxing, and instrumental tracks.
– Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia
In the vast realm of hip-hop, an artist who goes by the name Herman “Nile Flame” Woods emerges. That’s me, founder of Majestic Gang, I’m not merely a rapper, I am a nomad, a visionary, and the self-proclaimed future king of hip-hop. As we delve into my narrative, we uncover the roots of my musical journey, the influences that shaped me, and the distinctive mark I aim to make with my sophomore album, H.L.W. 2.
I’ve been making music for ten years, and it really hasn’t gone anywhere…but I figured some things out.
Now I’m approaching a more critical way to make music, and it feels much better.
I saw my first murder when I was only five years old. Such is life growing up in Camden, New Jersey. Although it was a very dangerous city to grow up in, It wasn’t all bad. Yes, it was tough times; but it helped define me. It helped prepare me for two tours in Iraq. But more importantly, it helped define my music. Yet, it would only take one basketball game to introduce my music to the world.
by Dim Kouchnir
I guess to start things off I didn’t really have this direct introduction to music as blatantly most people get it (I think). You could say I kinda got ushered into it slowly during the period of 14 to 20ish.
Around my mid-teens, I started writing poetry in my native language which is Flemish (same as dutch), and in that same period, I also got into dancing, particularly in the styles hip-hop, poppin’, and bboying. Being a dancer and mainly educating myself in the field choreography, I got in contact with a lot of the musical influences that show themselves in my work today.
I think of people like: Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Sholomo, Clams Casino; and the list goes on…
I remember my dance tutor having this immense iTunes library, and after a lot nagging, I got him to put it on my blackberry tablet (hahaha). Having that period in my life gave me a passion for music in general, And helped me to develop my taste.
by Goman Hira
I’m honestly just an awkward noodle that spends way too much time watching anime, 3d modeling, and making music. I feel that the arts are the best way for me to fully show myself to the world since words often fail me.
by DEADLILBOY
You ever catch yourself listening to your favorite musician, band, or whatever it is you spend the most time on with headphones in. Only to be interrupted by an advertisment every single song change? Umm, yeah, that is the level I am trying to get you to help me reach.
by Ref Records
Ref Records, Llc. was founded to provide a platform to artist old and new that embody a unique presence reminiscent of a time when music was as creative as competitive.
by DonGady
Let’s support real Hip-Hop again…
“Everything led to this…” & rightfully so! It is a beautiful thing where you look and realize the growth that has been made.
I am living proof of the regenerative power of muscle memory and artistic practice. Music and lyricism saved my life, and to these, I owe everything I have. Ten years on from a major stroke, composer Liam O’Connell shares his thoughts on life and returning from the brink.
by Ksn
I have yet to come across any profession that is as rewarding, fulfilling, and promising as well as depressing & anxiety-inducing as being a musician. It’s peaks & valleys to it, but there’s more beauty in it than most people will ever know.