Hip-Hop today is very deeply rooted to the historical past of African Americans. It is an art form which has continued to pass the heritage of African traditions and music through the generations. Although some do not consider it to be music due to the lack of melody, it is the rhythmic beats characteristic of this genre that matter most. Beats originating in tribes all over Africa were brought to America and merged together to create the beginning of Hip-Hop’s musical foundation.

Slaves forbidden to read or write for fear that they would learn too much, passed their traditions to the next generation by songs set to a catchy beat. After all, words put to rhythm are easier to remember. Historically it is thought that their songs were made of pure joy, but it was quite the contrary. Typically they were singing about their yearnings of home, their culture, and freedom.

Slaves weren’t allowed to express their native culture, traditions, and dialect, but they still held a yearning to pass their heritage to the next generation. Despite being forced to learn English and adopt Christianity, they found a way to express their emotions, communicate secretly, and incorporate their tribal beliefs into their new religion.

Hidden meanings given to words allowed the slaves to convey important information to each other without giving themselves away to the owner. The word “home” sung in religious hymnals was thought to mean “heaven” by a slave owner, but it was actually used to refer to the “freedom” of slaves. Similar instances occurred where song was actually a secret message giving information of the location of a secret meeting.

Continuing the traditions of the past, today’s Hip-Hop is still about the trials and tribulations of the African-American population. Oftentimes it is about life on the streets and the struggle to get out of the “hood”, dedications to friends and relatives, sex, religion, or what it’s like to grow up without a father and/or mother. These lyrics help future generations find hope and inspiration to succeed just as their favorite artist has.

Similar to songs of the past, today’s Hip-Hop also contains code words along with the rhythmic beats. Sometimes the words are associated with gangs. “B.F.O.” defines a brother from Oakland, and “Hot One” means murder case. Sometimes they have a sexual meaning like “Piece” or “Product” which both refer to the female anatomy. And some are just downright funny like “bling”-jewelry symbolizing wealth, “grill”-someone’s teeth which may or may not have bling on them, and “shorty” refering to a female in most contexts, but can also be used to describe a youthful male depending on what area of the country you are in.

Some beats are a little faster, some a little slower, but most agree that it dependends on whether the music is from the south, the west coast (L.A.), or the east (New York). When you think of west coast think “Dr. Dre”, when you think of the south think “Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz”, and when you think of the east think of “LL Cool J”.