Hip hop and rock are two music genres that emerged around the mid-1960s and 1970s and both emphasize the importance of the instruments used. Originating in the United States, these genres continue to evolve today.
Key Takeaways
- Rock music features heavy use of electric guitars and drums, while hip hop includes beatboxing and rapping.
- Lyrics in hip hop often discuss topics such as freedom, justice, and poverty.
- Rock music has evolved into sub-genres like heavy metal and hardcore rock, while hip hop has developed its own style of dancing including hip hop dance and breakdancing.
Hip hop has an interesting history, having been popularly introduced in New York in the 1970s. Although many people believe it started in the Bronx, the history of hip hop music can be traced back to the slavery period. Unable to access musical instruments, Afro-Americans on plantations and farms began rapping and beatboxing.
Rock music, synonymous with rock and roll, gained fame and popularity around the mid-1950s in Europe and America. It features the heavy sound of electric guitars, drums, and the addition of synthesizers around the 1960s. Elvis Presley, known for his evocative dancing, remains the most popular rock icon and is widely regarded as the King of Rock and Roll.
The main difference between the two genres lies in their instrumentation. Rock music is characterized by heavy electric guitars and drums, sometimes creating a more noisy sound, while hip hop includes beatboxing behind rapping, which often has meaningful lyrics discussing freedom, justice, and poverty. As society has evolved, rock has developed new sub-genres, such as heavy metal and hardcore rock. Hip hop, on the other hand, has introduced its own styles of dance, including hip hop dance and breakdancing.
The growth of these two musical genres has significantly influenced the cultures of many countries. Although some people, particularly older generations, find rock music disturbing and insane, it has its merits when given a chance. Hip hop, meanwhile, is popular among teenagers and young people due to its cool and smooth rhythm, which often inspires them to dance.
