Blog #7: Rev Run.

Joseph Simmons is more commonly known by his stage name, Rev Run. He is one of the three founders of the influential rap group Run D.M.C. Rev Run was born and raised in Queens, New York like most early hip-hop artists. Run D.M.C. includes two other famous artists known as DMC and Jam Master Jay. Their group is one of the most known hip-hop groups and is commonly associated with pioneering the hip-hop industry. Even if their music has a little more of an old school taste, I enjoy listening to it. Run D.M.C. is widely known by their hit "Walk This Way" which samples the original song by Aerosmith.

What's interesting about Rev Run is during his music career he was also ordained as a minister. Thus his stage name being Rev Run, meaning Reverend Run. Rev Run also has his own hit T.V. show, called Run's house, being featured on MTV. He is currently married to Justine Simmons and has six children. Three of them being with his first wife Valerie and the other half being with his current. Run's children plan to carry on the Rev Run legacy and currently have their own albums, clothing lines, and shoe lines out.

So if you're looking for more of a old school type of hip-hop try listening to a Run D.M.C. album.

Video:
Walk This Way-Run D.M.C.

Blog #6: Q-Tip.

Kamaal Ibn John Fareed is internationally known by his stage name Q-Tip. He is both a producer and a rapper. He grew up in the city where hip-hop was born, Queens, New York. Q-tip is most famously known for being in the hip-hop group, A Tribe Called Quest. Personally, A Tribe Called Quest is one of my favorite underground groups. He has worked with famous artists such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Nas and Deee-Lite. Q-Tip was one of the first people to combine both snatches of stand-up bass and obscure jazz.

After A Tribe Called Quest seperated, Q-Tip pursured his solo career. His works during his solor career weren't the best he's come up with. During the time his music appeared to have a more pop aspect, than hip-hop. Luckily, in 2006 A Tribe Called Quest reunited and even went on tour. Throughout Q-Tip's career he has not only been nominated for many Grammys, but has won one as well. He has also won a MTV VMA award for his video "Vibrant Thing".  Q-Tip also serves as a disk jockey, also known as a DJ.

Video:
Bonita Applebum-A Tribe Called Quest

Blog #5: All the elements of hip-hop.

Some of you may define hip-hop as a genre of music, but some of you may also know that hip-hop consists of different things than music. Hip-hop not only consists of music, but of rapping, DJ/scratching, beat boxing and break dancing. These four elements make up the base of what we know hip-hop is today. If you had the chance to learn more about the history of hip-hop, you'd understand that hip-hop contains elements from more than one culture and actually appreciates diversity.

Rapping is something I've touched on in an earlier blog, so I'm not going to get into it too much, but rapping is also known as MCing and it was usually performed at block parties. Also, people would get into rap battles with another person beat boxing. Beat boxing is the making of a beat only using one's mouth. I've attempted to beat box before and trust me, it takes genuine talent to make it sound good. Did you know that DJing and scratching actually started because of a mistake? DJ Grandmaster Flash was one of the earliest DJs to use scratching, but it became quite popular in the mid 70's to 80's. Break dancing, also referred to as B-Boying, developed in the streets of New York by young African-Americans and Latinos. Break dancing was influenced by both of these cultures. African, giving it more of a floor dance, and Latino, giving it more of a top heavy flow like samba.

Personally, I think that people think they know hip-hop but don't really because they don't know the history of it. For you to understand hip-hop you need to know where it came from and what it used to be. So why not explore a bit?

Extra information:

Someone's opinion on hip-hop.

Blog #4: "Only Girl In The World"

This week Rihanna has found a good spot on not only fan's "Most Played Playlist," but also the top of the charts. Rihanna's hot new single "Only Girl In The World" has reached number three on the Billboard's Hot 100 charts, which is seventy-two higher spots since it premiered last week ago. The first week the song was released over 249,000 fans downloaded the songs onto their iTunes library. It also places number one on the Digital Songs charts. 


My personal take on the song is that I actually like it. For something that's mainstream it has both a catchy beat and actual substance to the song. And it's not one of those songs that only girls would listen to, but something my guy friends do as well. Rihanna has is known for her songs that defy normal pop and mainstream music standards. I do believe Rihanna has an everlasting spot on the top of most female RnB and hip-hop artists unless she were to suddenly disappear and stop making hit songs that express both love and life. 


Link to listen to "Only Girl In The World":
Only Girl In The World - Rihanna

Blog #3: 2010 VMA's.

Sunday night as I was on twitter, all I read in tweets were various things about MTV's Video Music Awards. Although, I must admit, I was watching the VMA's as well. Chelsea Handler, this year's host, kicked off the awards cracking a few comedic jokes and introducing the first presenter. Some say she was a hilarious host, but some say her performance was filled with awkward punchlines. All the latest stars were at the awards from Jay-Z to the infamous Ke$ha and everyone was there to impress. If you haven't heard yet, Lady Gaga was being her typical unordinary self and rocked a dress completely made out of meat. 


But what would be the VMAs without music? This year's line up featured artists from different genres, but personally, my favorite were the hip-hop and rnb performances. Usher showed everyone he's still got it performing his top of the chart singles "DJ Got Us Falling In Love Again" and "OMG." Not only did he dance in sync with the flashing neon lights, but he managed to have one of the best performances of the night. Kanye West made a comeback from last years interruption and performed a new song titled "Toast for the Douche bags" which had a cool concept and a thrilling beat. For me, the performances were the only things I was actually interested in. 


Link to Usher's performance:
Usher VMA's 2010

Blog #2: Rock the Bells 2010.

If you're one of those Wiz Khalifa or Wu-Tang fans, like me, you'll know they spent last Sunday at, one of the many stops, the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View for the annual Rock the Bells concert. If you've never heard of Rock the Bells concert, then you're simply missing out. Rock the Bells is a concert dedicated to underground hip-hop which is brought to you by the company Guerilla Union. This year's concert brought us artists like Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dog, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, Murs and even the legendary Lauryn Hill. Thousands of fans came out to watch one of their favorite artist perform or to just enjoy the simple beats and rhymes of Guerilla Warfare's special guests.

Even though Rock the Bells is all about the music, there also other things one can do at this concert. The concert is also big on the tons of venders there are. Things being sold by these venders vary from CD albums, to food, to drinks, to even clothes. Something new to Rock the Bells this year was the Freestyle Session. Which is basically an area set up at the concert where any type of B-Boys or B-Girls can show off their raw talent. And of course the winner gets a prize. So if you an underground hip-hop lover, you should definitely attend Rock the Bells next summer!

Here's a little taste of what went down at Rock the Bells 2010:
A Tribe Called Quest, Rock the Bells 2010

Blog #1: So what does my blog name actually mean?

Well, "subterraneo" is spanish for underground or beneath the earth. And if you haven't figured it out yet, underground hip-hop is the name given to this genre by many music fanatics. According to to the internet underground hip-hop can be defined as, "hip-hop music outside the general commercial canon, exclusively associated with independent artists, signed to small independent labels or no label at all"(Wikipedia). In more general terms, it's basically hip-hop music that isn't mainstream and has more depth to the lyrics than those played on the radio.

Underground hip-hop differs from mainstream in several ways. One of those being the meanings of the lyrics. Unless you're one of those people who hasn't flipped your radio on for a while, you probably already know that rap songs mainly discuss drugs, sex, women, etc. On the opposing side, underground hip-hop tells us a story about life, love, hardships and even personally stories. Another reason that underground differs is the way it's made. Now a days rap songs are made from a computer and a producer makes it for the artist. Before hip-hop was made from turntables or real instruments and lyrics were written out of journals. Hip-hop and rap isn't real music in my opinion, but underground is an art form.

For those of you who want to learn further here's a very interesting video about underground hip-hop versus mainstream:
Real Vrs. Mainstream

Intro.

Dear Readers,


Nobody wants to write about something they could hardly care less about, but more about something they're passionate about. And for me, that would be music. But not just any kind, Hip Hop and RnB to be exact. I love interpreting my thoughts when it comes to the lyrics and I also love the way a beat sounds. With this blog, my readers will be able to take a look at my ideas about music you probably haven't even heard on the radio yet. So what's the best way to learn about this genre of music? Through the mind of someone who has a passion for it. 


Signed,
Sofie