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Yes
you have read the title correctly. This site is probably the first its
kind. The integration of Hip Hop Music into American mainstream Pop
has been an interesting journey nonetheless. The relatively new term, Hip Pop has surfaced to describe much of the new popular genre that is
dominating the radio waves.
This site explores the question: Is
the true, pure form of Hip Hop dead? Or has it just taken on new, more
radio friendly pop form? The origins of Hip Hop music curiously
endured the same opposition as the early days of Rock n' Roll did.
With
our study we would like to explore what the term Hip Hop really means
and invest time in relating this definition to modern Hip Pop videos and
how a majority of these artists are succeeding in this new genre. But
is it really that new? Maybe not. We would appreciate your opinions and
comments!
Let's face it, like it or not , Hip Popping is
here to stay! Fortunately, for many skilled rappers, we categorized as
Hip Pop Artists, like Kanye West, P. Diddy, and even more recently, Jay
Z and Eminem, this new and perhaps superior genre is where the money
is. It is difficult for Hip Hop artists to remain rough and underground
and make a sizable and long-lasting income from their record labels.
Crossing over to Hip Pop is the more likely choice for a lucrative
career.
So what is Hip Popping or simply, Hip Pop music exactly,
and how does it differ from the normal Hip Hop that the generation from
the 80's and 90's produced? Well it is not an exact science, and there
are no clear cut lines to separate the two genres as there are
overlapping elements as the evolution may still be in its early stages.
But we have taken more obvious traits of Hip Popping into this
following list: 1. Heavy and often exaggerated utilization of melodic track usually accompanied by an accomplished vocalist, embroidered by simple, enthusiastic pop riffs and a bubble gum percussion similar to factory produced sample beats found in beginner Casio keyboards.
2. Usually a one song collaboration with a pop star whose earnings are in the six to seven figures annually and whose vocals are 'looped' around the heavily-skilled hip pop artist's poetic and rhythmic annunciations to create a more family oriented sound. Please note: the lyrics can still often be categorized with minimal use of adult profanity and adult situations.
3. Usually in three to four edited versions, including a clean radio cut and a disco, house club remix.
4. The interplay between the pop singer's looped vocals and the hip pop artist's innovative, intellectual lyrics often creates heightened sense of euphoria to the audience, creating a festive and inclusive atmosphere that is typical of wedding receptions and bar mitzvahs.
5. Even though the powerful riffs of the hip pop artist performed in solo is self-sustaining in live concert situations, capable of captivating and inspiring the audience for hours on end, the hip pop artist often will employ a 'hype-man' or two to assist with the call and response participation with said audience.
6. In addition, many Hip Pop Artists, not only have mastered rhythmic
prose in non-melodic verbal form, but have also taken on the
revolutionary dual role as rapper/singer. Many Hip Pop Artists show
solid techniques in both skills, including P. Diddy, Nelly, Andre
3000, Snoop Dogg, and especially Eminem. We will sample and review
some of these videos, as this is one of the staples that were
instrumental in ushering in this new superior genre.
7. Hip Popping skills are highly sought after by large and small record producers alike to assist an upcoming pop singer's transition into a more hip generation. One example of this was Justin Bieber's 'Baby' which employs the mesmerizing technique of established hip popping Ludacris in one short but highly anticipated and effective hip pop interlude in Bieber's time-tested teen classic. The music video is the ultimate proof of the new Hip Pop wave as it reached record breaking hits of over 600 million on YouTube:
This musically ground-breaking video with a song of such depth and perception is now being hailed as a lyrical masterpiece, which combines the Pop wizardry of one the most gifted songsters the world has ever seen and the wit and intellect of legendary Hip Pop artist, Ludacris. "Baby" is the culmination of this wonderous fusion of Pop culture and Hip Hop music that inspired the launch of this website in the first place.
This is what original hip hop masters, like Grand Master Flash and KRS-1, had always envisioned but had not come to fully realize. Their hard work and unrelenting poetry, trampled on by an unmerciful conservative and blind generation has now pave the way for true Hip Pop Artists like Ludacris who has now taken his rightful throne in this new superior genre, a musical promise land of epic compositions and infinite creative paths to uncharted stratospheres.
Is this video the birth of Hip Pop? No, but we dare to say that is may usher in a Golden Age of this new art form for many generations to enjoy. It represents the heights and magnitude of what an evolution of a hip hop culture born in the 1980's, striving to gain a momentum into the ears and hearts of American citizens has now produced. It was a culture born with adversity as did Rock n' Roll before it, carrying in its burden the harsh image that conservative America has painted through many prejudices. But now the struggling Hip Hop culture has a new child, a new form, a new hope as is evidenced in this classic song. Hip Pop!
Read on to the next chapters on the side menu as we explore the birth pains of this art form through the 1980's and 1990's, and finally climaxing into this evolutionary fusion with pop culture as we know today in the 2000's as evidenced in Bieber's video sample above.
Interestingly enough, the main themes in Hip Pop Music have mostly
abandoned topics of violence, police brutality, controversial political
issues, race and social issues and gang related activity that were more
prevalent in the classic Hip Hop form, and transitioned into euphoric
lyrics of love, romance, dance, financial indulgence, and the occasional
experimentation with illegal drug substances (even though references to
drug use is usually conveniently edited out of radio versions). As a
result, the changes have been responsible for more mainstream air play
and general exposure, propelling many Hip Hop Artists, like Kanye West,
Drake and Lil Wayne into rock stardom.
Hip Pop Artists have paved
the way for those who are interested in the music industry for a
generally lucrative career, as, for instance, superstar Hip Popper,
Eminem has proven with record setting album sales in the past decade. There is one Hip Pop artist, however, whose life stands out among all the musicians in his generation with not only his unparalleled literary genius but outstanding display of unwavering character especially toward the injustices of society: none other than Kanye West.
Tribute to the greatest Hip Pop Artist of all time.
This site
occasionally focuses and honors Hip Pop legends with significant
contributions not only to the professional music industry but also to
society as a whole. The particulary month we celebrate the achievements
of legendary Hip Popper, Kanye West.
This video features the great Hip Popper in all his soul and vulnerability as he expresses his inner battle to win against evil. As King David and Moses did before him, Kanye West seeks the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ, as a man after the heart of God Himself. Jesus Walks is an important literary masterpiece, of moving and soul
wrenching prose in the same heights and breath of the Psalms of King
David of the Old Testement.
With his clean-cut looks, and relatively clean background (no felony
conviction, only two minor misdemeanors with photographers) Kanye West
stood out amoung the grittier images of his predessesors. His musical
eloquence and mastery as a supreme orator not only transcended in his
music, but to his public stance as defender of ethics and morals, on
political, racial, and social issues. Like the patriarchs of civil
rights movements like Muhatma Ghanda, Martin Luther King, Jr and Nelson
Mandela, he has won the hearts and admiration of millions of his
generation both as a musician and man of noble character.
Kanye
West is the embodiement of the modern day Hip Pop artist. Educated,
articulate, with a preppy-style dress choice and with no prior felony
conviction, his image shatters the stereotypical image of the typical
Rapper. As a revolutionary, he is known to draw from the chordal
progressions of rock music and was also the first Rapper to tour with
his own string instrument orchestra.
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