Exploring the Origins and Evolution of Hip Hop

CrashCourse

This video from Crash Course Black American History explores the dynamic origins and evolution of hip hop and rap, tracing its roots from the streets of Harlem and the South Bronx in the 1970s to its status as a global cultural phenomenon. Clint Smith explains how the genre emerged as a creative response to the economic neglect of Black communities and the artistic legacy of the Black Arts Movement. The video breaks down the "four pillars" of hip hop—DJing, rapping, graffiti, and breakdancing—demonstrating how these distinct art forms coalesced into a unified counterculture.