Components of Hip-Hop Culture

Reese also identifies the element of an MC. The role of the master or missus of ceremony is to "hypeTo stimulate, excite, or agitate; extravagant or intensive publicity or promotion." the crowd interspersed call-and-response interactions and that of storytelling through rhythmic and lyrical speech known as rap. Rap is the art of rhythm and rhyme with roots in the African American work song. If we recall, the intention of the highly improvised and syncopated components of rhythm and rhyme in the work songs and or field hollers was to express, emote, or release ardent messages and feelings. So too, rap music consists of rhythmic poetry, cadences, breaks, and sometimes what is called a "hookAn appealing melodic phrase that drives the message in the song and is often important to a popular song's commercial success.," a vocal line or instrument meaning to drive or bring forth the content, or moreover, the context of the text. Reese claims that the response to rhythm and song has always been a significant component in African and African American culture.

Dance emotes feelings, sentiments, or gestures using the body. Breakdancing, an athletic style of street dance from the United States, is another element associated with the birth of hip-hop. However, as the lesson unfolds, we will witness the evolution in this style of body movement. Visually, the hip-hop culture ushered in a new urban art immersed in graffiti, as shown in the adjacent image.