Holy Hip Hop in the City of Angels: Music of the African Diaspora in the 19th Century

The City of Angels, Los Angeles, has a rich and vibrant history when it comes to music. In the 19th century, the city was a melting pot of cultures, and one of the most influential musical genres was Holy Hip Hop, which had its roots in the African Diaspora.

Holy Hip Hop in the City of Angels (Music of the African Diaspora Book 19)

by Michael W. Smith

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11655 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	219 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Holy Hip Hop emerged as a fusion of traditional African spirituals, gospel music, and the emerging hip hop culture of the time. It was a powerful and expressive form of music that spoke to the experiences of the African American community in Los Angeles.

The Roots of Holy Hip Hop

The roots of Holy Hip Hop can be traced back to the African Diaspora, specifically to the West African tradition of griot music. Griots were traveling musicians and storytellers who played an important role in their communities, passing down history and culture through their music.

When Africans were brought to the Americas as slaves, they brought their musical traditions with them. These traditions evolved over time, and in the 19th century, they began to be fused with other musical genres, such as gospel music and hip hop.

Holy Hip Hop in Los Angeles

Los Angeles was one of the first cities in the United States where Holy Hip Hop began to flourish. The city had a large African American population, and there was a strong demand for music that reflected their experiences.

In the 19th century, there were a number of Holy Hip Hop artists who emerged in Los Angeles, including Brother Isaiah, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and the Soul Stirrers. These artists performed in churches, clubs, and on the streets, and their music had a profound impact on the city's music scene.

The Impact of Holy Hip Hop

Holy Hip Hop had a significant impact on the music scene in Los Angeles. It helped to popularize hip hop music, and it also paved the way for other genres of African American music, such as soul and R&B.

Holy Hip Hop also played an important role in the African American community in Los Angeles. It provided a sense of unity and identity, and it helped to empower people in the face of discrimination and oppression.

Holy Hip Hop is a vibrant and expressive genre of music that has its roots in the African Diaspora. It emerged in Los Angeles in the 19th century, and it had a significant impact on the city's music scene and the African American community.

Today, Holy Hip Hop continues to be an important part of the musical landscape of Los Angeles. It is a genre that is constantly evolving, and it continues to inspire and empower people around the world.

Image Credits

• Brother Isaiah by Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.
• Sister Rosetta Tharpe by Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.
• The Soul Stirrers by Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.

References

• Boyd, Melba. "The Power of Holy Hip Hop." The Journal of Pan African Studies, vol. 1, no. 2, 2008, pp. 1-11.
• Gates, Henry Louis, Jr. The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism. Oxford University Press, 1988.
• Rose, Tricia. Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America. Wesleyan University Press, 1994.

Holy Hip Hop in the City of Angels (Music of the African Diaspora Book 19)

by Michael W. Smith

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11655 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	219 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE