Ode to Graffiti Art in Hip-Hop Culture

Graffiti Art, also known as "Street Art", "Spray-Can Art" , and "Subway Art", is known as scribbled, scratched, or spray-painted drawings or engravings on a public flat surface that is most often done without permission. Considered to be vandalism, if perpetrators are caught they might face jail time or fines. This form of original and visual contemporary art is usually found in subways, as well as on boxcars, buildings, and bridges.

Subway Art, Hip-Hop, and it's culture is known to have originated in New York City. In January of 1981, Blondie, a New York new wave and pop/punk band, released the number 1 song, "Rapture." The song incorporates many different elements from several musical genres, including a rap verse from lead singer Debbie Harry. "Rapture" is the first rap video ever broadcasted on MTV, as well as the number 1 song in the United States to feature rap, though it was not the first to be commercially successful. The song is known for many things; one being Harry name-checking her close friend and hip-hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy, and Grandmaster Flash. The video shows Harry dancing along the streets of New York and passing by graffiti artists known to be the architects of the movement including Jean-Michel Basquait, Lee Quinones, and Fab 5 Freddy. This seemed to help popularize the movement outside of New York. Notable samples of "Rapture" include "Step Into a World" by New York native KRS-ONE, and Destiny's Child's "Independent Women (Part 1)."

Street Art is closely associated with the introduction of the Hip-Hop music genre. It is related by ways of turntablism, break dancing, and rapping. Turntablism, or mixing, is the process of manipulating and composing sounds by using turntables and mixers. Techniques include beat-mixing & matching, and scratching. Rapping is a form of spoken-word poetry which focuses on artistry, lyrical ability, and subject matter. During the late 70's some artists began using the alternate title of M.C. (Master of Ceremonies) to define their roles within hip-hop culture. Break dancing is a style of dance that incorporates elements of popping, locking, and the Electric Bugaloo. Although being credited as a dance style that originated in the 1970's with groups like The Lockers and individuals such as Jeffery Daniels, break dancing remained popular throughout the middle 1980's. The video to Chaka Khan's remake of Prince's 1979 song "I Feel For You" included the members of the cast from the movie "Breakin'", in the video which showcased many new break dance moves that people (like myself) had never seen before. This was pivotal at the time as rap music was still considered to be in it's early stages, although gaining major popularity among many audiences. Elements of break dancing are still used by many artists in today's music videos and dance routines. Beat boxing, the art of an artist creating beats using one's own mouth, is also associated with the era. This particular style was pioneered by artists such as Doug E. Fresh, Buffy of The Fat Boys, and Biz Markie. Noteworthy songs that showcase this format are The Fat Boys' "Human Beat Box", Doug E. Fresh's "La Di Da Di" and "The Show", and Biz Markie's "Goin' Off."

When I think back to this particular time in American history, I think of movies such as "Breakin'", "Beat Street", "Breakin' 2: Electric Bugaloo", and "Krush Groove", among several others. These movies, along with songs and videos such as "Planet Rock" and "The Message" exposed people living outside of New York City to a new culture, music genre, visual art form, a new culture, and new dances that will be repeated throughout the course of time.