What's behind the rise of rap?

Ebony, Jan, 1989 by Rhoda E. McKinney

What's Behind The Rise Of Rap?

RAP has been dubbed the "hip hop invasion," "anti-establishment noise," and the teenage vernacular of the '80s counterculture. By definition, it is a musical explosion in which energetic Black artists weave street poetry into the lyrical genre that is currently transforming the music charts. Rap advocates insist this rhythmic "free talk" is not merely a phenomenon of the inner-city or a trend characterized by large gold chains and high-priced tennis shoes. And critics have attempted to dismiss the music as a passing phase, sliently hoping that it will fade and be replaced by a tamer, more neutral sound. But new rap groups seem to proliferate daily. Several acts to Billboard magazine's Black Album charts, and there are many more groups with singles in the Black Top 40. Record companies that once laughed at rap now clamor to sign promising new artists.

"Rap in the '80s is equivalent to the Motown Sound of the '60s," says Bill Adler of Rush Artist Management. "The revolution over this music has been fought and won, but the weird thing is the news of ur victory has yet to reach the world at large."

At first hearing, some rap "crews" may sound strikingly similar, but what binds them together is their passion for a beat and their rhymes set to music. Each group has its own distinct style, ranging from Public Enemy's (the self-procalimed Prophets of Rage) Black Nationalist bent, to the squeaky-clean "Cosby kid" image of suburban Philadelphia's newcomes Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince. Run-DMC made pop history with their remake of Aerosmith's Walk This Way, and young girls still seem to love L.L. Cool J, the hip hop prince. Kool Moe Dee claims to be the "educated rapper" (he does have a college degree), Dana Dane is the comedian of rap, and Salt 'N' Pepa are the first female rappers to make it to the charts.

The board appeal of rap music may be difficult for some to figure. But one thing is certain: kinds love the music's gritty beat, the "bad boy" attire of the stars, and the lyrics parents love to hate. Many groups are making an attempt to promote social consciousness and rap against deadly teenage realities such as AIDS, drugs and gang warfare. Ice-T, a former gang leader turned rap star, took his anti-gang case before the Youth Summit of the Congressional Black Caucus. And Nelson George, a noted media critic, is producing a Stop The Violence record with the help of several rap stars. Proceeds will go to the National Urban League.

The rap artists highlighted on the following pages give a glimpse of a few groups that are doing well. The success of veteran rappers like Whodini and Doug E. Fresh has opened doors for newer acts like 2 Live Crew, EPMD and kid 'n' Play. There are no real guarantees that rap is here to stay. But while it lasts, it's obvious these innovative young performers know how to make the most of it.