http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Rap_Summary.html Rap, also know as hip hop, is a type of popular music which involves DJing and rapping. Although both terms are used as synonyms, rap should not be used with hip hop songs that do not have vocals. Rap is the result of a bigger movement, hip hop culture, that began in New York in the 1970s. At that time, minorities of African American and Latinos, mainly, found in rap a perfect way to express what they felt and believed. Today, this genre has had to face censorship due to its highly sexual and violent content. In spite of this, it is a genre that enjoys great popularity. en-us http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_7226.html Wed, 05 Apr 2006 05:04:58 CST Willard Christopher Smith Jr., a.k.a. Will Smith was born on September 25, 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has won several Grammy awards as a hip hop artist and he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor for his role in Ali. The lyrics of his songs do not have profanities. Will Smith has been successful in the three major entertainment areas of the United States: the music industry, television and the big screen. In high school, Smith obtained the nickname fresh prince.
http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_7223.html Wed, 05 Apr 2006 04:59:59 CST Ice Cube is a recognized rapper and actor. His real name is O’Shea Jackson and he was born on June 15, 1969 in South Central Los Angeles. When Ice Cube began his career, he was a member of N.W.A. (Niggaz With Attitude), a hip hop group that was a commercial success. Today, his acting career has become a priority for him, but regardless of that, Ice Cube is considered an influential and iconic figure of hip hop. His songs include fearless raps filled with anger treating topics like racism and politics.
http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_7215.html Wed, 05 Apr 2006 04:44:13 CST Tone Loc is a rapper and actor that is remembered because of his grave voice and his hit singles Wild Thing and Funky Cold Medina. His real name is Anthony Terrell Smith and he was born on March 3, 1996 in Los Angeles, California. His friends used to call him Antonio Loco; in fact, that nickname originated the Tone Loc name. Tone Loc was one of the first West Coast rappers.
http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_7233.html Wed, 05 Apr 2006 04:30:15 CST The Fugees are a popular music group that has songs with rhythms such as hip hop, soul and reggae. The members of the group are: Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel. Their name derives from the term refugee. The Fugees recorded two albums: Blunted on Reality and The Score (a multi-platinum, Grammy-winning record). This group was really famous in the 1990’s before their separation in 1997. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean became successful solo artists and Pras Michel began to act and record soundtracks.
http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_7209.html Wed, 05 Apr 2006 04:26:50 CST Eminem is one of the most popular and controversial rappers of all time. His real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III and he was born on October 17, 1972. Rapper/producer Dr. Dre discovered Eminem; when he heard the tape of Eminem for the first time, Dre thought that Marshall was black. Eminem has won many awards, including several Grammy and a Best Song Oscar for Lose Yourself from the soundtrack of 8 Mile. Eminem is the second highest selling rapper of all time behind Tupac Shakur (2Pac).
http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_7195.html Wed, 05 Apr 2006 09:22:13 CST DMX is a famous rapper and actor, his real name is Earl Simmons and he was born on December 18, 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland. He is also known as The Divine Master of the Unknown and Dark Man X. Fans and critics all over the world admire the dark and gothic topics of his songs and his rhymes. DMX is among the greatest rap artists ever. He crossed over genres and also draws the attention of rock/metal and hardcore rap fans. He began to rap when he was 13 years old.
http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_7189.html Wed, 05 Apr 2006 09:10:49 CST Coolio is a rapper that is remembered because of the song "Gangsta’s Paradise" from the soundtrack of the movie Dangerous Minds. His real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr. and he was born on August 1, 1963 in California. He had a troubled childhood but was still able to release a single called "Watcha Gonna Do". Unfortunately, he developed an addiction to crack cocaine that made him quit his career and become a firefighter. Coolio soon realized that something was missing; his heart was not in the right place and he decided to rap again in 1994, releasing It Takes a Thief, his first album.
http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_7184.html Tue, 04 Apr 2006 05:05:43 CST Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is a rap group that is famous for their harmonizing vocals and fast pace rap style. This group is from Cleveland, Ohio. It was formed in the beginning of the decade of the 90’s when it was known as B.O.N.E.Enterpri$e. Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, Layzie Bone and Krayzie Bone were the founding members of B.O.N.E.Enterpri$e. In 1992, the band recorded an album called Faces Of Death and Flesh-N-Bone (brother of Layzie Bone) became a new member.
http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_7175.html Tue, 04 Apr 2006 04:44:03 CST Biz Markie is known as the Clown Prince of hip hop. His real name is Marcel Hall; he was born on April 8, 1964 in Harlem, New York. He has funny singles like "Just a Friend".
http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_7167.html Tue, 04 Apr 2006 08:10:52 CST Big Daddy Kane is a recognized rapper from Brooklyn, New York. His real name is Antonio Hardy and he was born on September 10, 1968. This rapper grew up in Bed-Stuy, a section of Brooklyn. He has worked with artists such as Teddy Riley, Biz Markie, Marley Marl, Barry White and Rudy Ray Moore. Antonio Hardy (Big Daddy Kane) was part of the Juice Crew (a hip-hop group that was founded by producer Marley Marl in the 1980’s). Other members of the Juice Crew were Roxanne Shante and Biz Markie, to whom Big Daddy Kane wrote songs. It is not a secret that Jay-Z is one of the most successful rappers in the business; well, he began his career as a protégée of Big Daddy Kane.