Hip hop is a genre characterized by its rhythmic, lyrical flow, often over electronic or sampled beats, with emphasis on rhythmic speech, lyrical dexterity, and sonic innovation. Emerging in 1970s Bronx, New York, hip hop evolved from DJ Kool Herc's party-rocking breakbeats and Afrika Bambaataa's Zulu Nation, eventually spreading globally. The Golden Age of hip hop (1986-1993) saw the rise of lyrical complexity, socially conscious themes, and jazz-infused production. Hip hop's cultural significance lies in its representation of urban experiences, social commentary, and empowerment. Influenced by funk, soul, jazz, and spoken word, hip hop has branched into sub-genres like gangsta rap, trap, and conscious rap, with artists pushing boundaries of lyrical depth, melodic experimentation, and genre-bending fusion.
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