A Brief History of Hip-Hop and Rap

Hip-Hop Defined: Hip-hop is a form of popular music that’s comprised mainly of mc'ing (rapping) and dj'ing.The other two components that complete the four elements of hip-hop are graffiti and breakdancing.As hip-hop evolved into big business,the four elements(mc'ing, dj'ing, graffiti, and breakdancing)are constantly being merged with others like clothing,language,and mind set in general.
Hip-Hop Vrs. Rap: Rap is the form of music that stemmed from the hip-hop culture.Hip hop is a lifestyle with its own lingo, dress code, etc.In the words of KRS-One, “hip-hop is something you live, rap is something you do.”
Hip-Hop Started in the Bronx: A product of cross-cultural integration,rap is deeply rooted within ancient African culture and oral tradition.Hip-hop is believed to have originated in the Bronx by a Jamaican DJ named Kool Herc.Herc’s style of dj'ing involved reciting rhymes over instrumentals.At house parties,Herc would rap with the microphone,using a myriad of in-house references.Documented duplicates of Herc's house parties soon drifted through Brooklyn, Manhattan, etc spreading hip-hop and spawning new artists.
The First Rap/Hip-hop Songs: The first rap recordings were “King Tim III (Personality Jock)" by Fatback Band and “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang.The latter reached the #36 spot on the Billboard charts (a huge feat by 1970's standards), demonstrating the ability of hip-hop to draw commercial appeal.
Hip-hop As a Melting Pot: Hip-hop as a musical melting pot is still evolving. It has become more eclectic, borrowing from soul, jazz and live instrumentations with the likes of De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and most recently Kanye West championing the ‘soulful rap’ movement.