Hip hop culture

Hip hop is a cultural movement that began among urban African Americans and Latinos in the Bronx New York City in the early 1970s, and has since spread around the world. The four main aspects, or "elements", of hip hop culture are MCing (rapping), DJing, graffiti, and breakdancing. Some consider beatboxing the fifth element of hip hop; others might add political activism, hip hop fashion, hip hop slang, double dutching (an urban form of rope skipping) or other elements as important facets of hip hop. The term has since come to be a synonym for hip hop music (or rap music) to mainstream audiences.

MCing

Main articles: Master of Ceremonies and Rapping.

Related Topics:
Master of Ceremonies - Rapping

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Battling

Battling is the term in hip hop used when two MCs conduct verbal combat against each other, a practice having its origins on the east coast of the United States. The purpose of battling is for both MCs to try to diminish each other's lyrical skills and gain the favor of the crowd or audience. The level of crowd impression with a particular lyricist is determined by various forms of lyrical delivery, skill, insults and their ability to "move the crowd". The crowd, meanwhile, reacts with gestures such as "oohs" and "aahs", responses to the lyricist's "requests", or an ovation at the end of a battling session. The crowd's final reaction then determines the victor, thus giving the triumphant lyricist recognition and increased confidence to engage in and win more battles.

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Most "true" battles occur in various underground hip hop clubs, or even in a simple place such as a street corner; these events are usually fixed contests. More well-known "battle" MCs such as Canibus may go public with a battle on the radio or produce a "diss" record and call out their potential opponent. This can be done by disrespecting their opponent's lyrical skill, subject matter, or even personal qualities. Most public battles are publicity events used to gain exposure and acquire more fans. Unfortunately, some lyricists cross a personal line when battling and what was once fun leads to physical confrontation.

Related Topics:
Radio - Fans

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There are some who feel that, for present-day Battle raps, this personal line is crossed frequently and with a great amount of cruelty. Many argue that this part of hip hop has "gone too far" and that, as the rapper Nas said, "No women and children involved". Others feel that this is all a part of hip hop. When one MC battles another, he wants to say anything that will make the crowd react. It should be noted that though it may not be something personal that one MC has against the other, with both simply trying to win the battle, verbal assaults on an opponent's family, spouse/lover, or friends can easily lead to flaring tempers. Ultimately, only a few Hip hop rivalries that began on record, have ever lead to violence.

Related Topics:
Battle rap - Nas - Hip hop rivalries

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While less common than rap battles (in which only MCs participate), DJ battles, breakdancing battles, and beatboxing battles are also conducted. As in rap battling, audience response and participation (and, occasionally, panel judging) are used as the metric by which a victor is selected.

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