Hip hop has become one of the biggest and most influential music genres in the last couple of decades, and has had a big influence on popular music and culture all around the world.  From its beginnings in New York City in the 1970s to its dominance in the pop charts and music festivals of today, hip hop has continued to refine itself and develop its scene in relation to contemporary culture.  During the summer months in Europe, America, and all around the world;  hip hop DJs and MCs can be seen under flood lights at music festivals, and in garden bars illuminated by garden lighting – helping to spread the message of hip hop even more into the collective consciousness of global culture.

The hip hop movement came partly out of the traditions of Jamaican dance hall culture, where the tradition of ‘toasting’ over instrumental music slowly morphed into the recognisable hip hop rap styles of today.  DJ Clive “Kool Herc” Campbell is recognised as a major pioneer of the hip hop movement, after moving from his native Jamaica to the Bronx in New York City at the age of 13.  Together with other DJs and MCs, impromptu events were staged with little more than speakers, microphones, and turntables.  At this early stage, hip hop music was based around the break downs in other songs and music genres, and the DJs were responsible for cutting together on-the-spot edits of the percussive elements of other music tracks.  Rapping originated as a way to talk to and inspire the audience while this percussive music was playing, although modern hip hop reverses this trend and sees more of a focus on the rapper than on the DJ.

Hip hop expanded its fan base beyond the Bronx to the rest of New York and other cities in America, and eventually to most major cities around the world.  While it has always been an urban based and inspired cultural movement, there are also many rural areas around the world with recognisable hip hop scenes.  From an underground culture based in disadvantaged African American communities, hip hop is now international in scope, and is enjoyed by people of all economic classes and races.  Some of the major hip hop stars of the last decade include Eminem, Jay Z, and 50 cent;  who can often be seen playing at the major music festivals of the world.  Jay Z caused a bit of a stir in the United Kingdom recently in 2008, when he headlined the traditionally rock based Glastonbury music festival.

The amazing thing about hip hop culture is how it manages to refine itself in relation to the specific cultures of a newly adopted nation.  People all around the world find hip hop music and culture to be relevant to their specific situation, meaning that it can always grow and develop itself effectively for a new audience.  While it may have begun in the disadvantaged urban environment of a big city, hip hop is enjoyed today just as often in suburban garden settings under outdoor home lighting.  A lot of modern hip hop has light hearted subject matters and is perfect party music for outdoor summer parties and events.  From the dark streets of New York City to the well lit festivals and gardens of the world; hip hop music will continue to be a strong influence on global music and culture for a long time to come.