History of Music: Article Two

Genre Focuses: Hip Hop and R&B

Written By Sophia Smith, Co-Editor in Chief

December 4, 2024

Photo courtesy of Doctor’s Orders.

Notorious B.I.G. Photo courtesy of Spotify

Emerging in the 1980s and 90s in New York, hip-hop began as a vibrant and exciting culture, with artists bursting with talent and passion. However, it wasn’t just the music that made hip-hop interesting. It was the culture. The music of hip-hop came along with dancing, parties, and newfound trends, as well as feuds that you couldn’t look away from. As diss tracks began to be released, arguments between the East Coast and West Coast rappers began. These feuds resulted in tragic outcomes, with the deaths of 2Pac in 1996 and The Notorious B.I.G in 1997. These feuds and tragic outcomes had a lasting and profound impact on the hip-hop community. This divide between the East Coast and West Coast eventually and gradually was bridged to an extent and prompted unity around the United States and within the hip-hop community and around racial divides. More recently, the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar mirrors these past oppositions, creating an engaging and fascinating story to watch unfold. Hip-hop allows artists to express their emotions regarding current events in the world, one of these ways being women proving their power.

Aretha Franklin poses for a photo shoot in 1965. Photo courtesy of Elle.

Rhythm and blues (or R&B) originated in the 40s, with many African-American musicians using their powerful voices to pave their way through the music industry. The rhythm and blues combined with messages of love, empowerment, and passion, made R&B difficult for the world to resist. These artists often collaborated with impressive musicians that played instruments such as the saxophone that made the songs even more powerful. The artist re-recorded each other’s songs, adding meaning and soul to the songs. For example, the song “Respect” by the infamous Aretha Franklin was originally written and recorded by Otis Redding. Strong yet mellow voices such as Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and Al Green dominated the music industry, with their soulful voices and creative incorporation of instruments. More recently, artists such as Alicia Keys have taken steps to incorporate the soul sound into a few of their songs. While the majority of the songs and artists that made the genre were made decades ago, the power of R&B lives on to this day.