So…..Who Really Created Hiphop?

The Origin of Hip-Hop: A Culture of American Freedmen
© Ogbonna Hagins for Philly Word Magazine and Freedmen’s Journal 2.0

Hip-hop is undeniably a creation of American Freedmen, the descendants of those emancipated from slavery.

While many have tried to claim or downplay this origin, the facts remain clear: hip-hop, in its essence, was born in the streets of the Bronx, New York, by American Freedmen youth in the 1970s.

It was not birthed in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, or any other place outside the United States—it was the product of the struggle, creativity, and resilience of American Freedmen.

At its core, hip-hop is deeply rooted in the experiences of American Freedmen, shaped by the cultural traditions passed down through generations of those who were once enslaved.

The call-and-response pattern found in African traditions, the rhythm and rhyme of blues, jazz, and the poetic style of the Harlem Renaissance all laid the groundwork for what would become hip-hop. These elements were already present long before the term “hip-hop” even existed.

One vital element of hip-hop’s creation was “playing the dozens,” a game of verbal sparring, where participants engage in clever, often comedic insults.

This practice was a direct descendant of oral traditions, passed down from ancestors who used humor and wit to endure the harshness of their reality.

The art of playing the dozens, which involves quick wit and wordplay, served as a foundational technique for what would later evolve into rap.

Before it was called “hip-hop,” this cultural expression was already thriving in communities of American Freedmen.

The use of DJs to spin records, the art of rapping, and the creativity of graffiti were all methods of reclaiming space and identity in an oppressive society.

These elements converged to form a culture that was not only a form of entertainment but also a powerful tool for resistance, self-expression, and community building.

To cut through the chatter: hip-hop originated from American Freedmen, and its legacy is firmly rooted in their struggles, creativity, and resilience.

It is, and always has been, a culture of the descendants of the emancipated, whether they knew it or not.

These creators were unknowingly drawing from a long legacy of resistance and creativity passed down through generations of American Freedmen.

They may not have been fully conscious of their historical background, but they were continuing the work of their ancestors, using their voices and art to carve out space and meaning in a society that had long marginalized them.

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