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"The Music Evolution"

5 Songs That Shaped or Contributed to The Evolution of Hip Hop Culture

(Through The Decades)

1970s- Rappers Delight

by The SugarHill Gang

The first commercially successful rap song. Complete with 10 verses, the first three verses set the narrative for rap overall.

1980s- It's Tricky by Run D.M.C.

Off one of the first mainstream hip hop albums, Raising Hell, It’s Tricky sets a positive statement by speaking on their aversion to drugs. The song explains that rapping or mcing isn't as easy as it sounds, and shows off the group’s vocal dexterity with their tongue twister like chorus

1990s- Doo Wop (That Thing) by Ms. Lauryn Hill

Debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Doo Wop (That Thing) exemplifies Ms. Hill's appeal, combining feelings of self-empowerment with self-defense against being exploited by the opposite sex for that thing

2000s- Gold Digger by Kanye West

West surveys the “gold digger” phenomenon and sheds light on various types of relationships on this 2005 hit. Featuring Jamie Foxx, Gold Digger critically depicts the catastrophic life of a man who is married to a gold digger

2010s- Fuck Up Some Commas by Future

Appearing on his acclaimed 2014 Monster mixtape and 3rd studio album DS2, Fuck Up Some Commas’ enticing & punishing trap beat from DJ Spinz and Southside became anthemic in 2015 and helped establish Future’s career in Hip Hop

What's Next?

Hip Hop has expanded & evolved into a diverse cultural umbrella. This genre is a force to be reckoned with and it's many styles will continue to add to it's valued repertoire

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