Sao Paulo
August 11, 1973 is considered the starting point of hiphop. Because on this day one of the first parties took place that combined three of the four elements of the movement rap, DJ and break. The event in question took place in the United States.
The party, organized by Jamaican DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cindy Campbell in a building on Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, is considered the starting point that united the various segments of the movement.
The movement reached other countries and reached places like France and Cuba by force. In Brazil, hip hop culture took shape with the success of the Racionais MCs. São Paulo is considered a city that promotes hiphop in the country.
Check out tips from books, movies, and series to understand hiphop’s evolution over this half century
Books
“Racionais: Between the trigger and the storm” (perspective)
The work, organized by the sociologist Daniela Vieira and the anthropologist Jaqueline Lima Santos, unravels the legacy of the largest national rap group, the Racionais MCs. The book contains a series of texts that trace the career of the group made up of Mano Brown, Ice Blue, Edi Rock and KL Jay, which has influenced generations of young black people since the 1980s.
“Noise of Black: Rap and Black Culture in the Contemporary United States” (Perspective)
In the book, sociologist Tricia Rose analyzes rap and the emergence of hiphop culture.
Names like Kool Herc, Ice Cube, Queen Latifah and MC Lyte are considered representatives of the movement in the USA.
“Mv Bill. “Life taught me to run” (age)
In this work, the rapper MV Bill from Rio de Janeiro tells his life story and recalls Cidade de Deus, the community in Rio de Janeiro where he was born, up to his rap career that began in 1991.
“A Good Place: Official Biography of Mauro Mateus dos Santos Sabotage” (LiteraRUA)
The book, written by author Toni C., traces the life of rapper Mauro Mateus dos Santos, known as Sabotage. Born in the Canão favela in the south of São Paulo, the artist made only one album in his life, 2001’s “Rap é Compromise,” which marked a milestone for Brazilian hiphop. In addition to rhyming, he also starred in films and won many awards. In 2003, at the height of his career, he was violently murdered.
Racionais Mc’s: Surviving in Hell (Companhia das Letras)
The work contains lyrics from the group’s fourth album, released in 1997. Founded in 1989 by Mano Brown and Ice Blue from the São Paulo South Zone and Edi Rock and KL Jay from the North Zone, Racionais is the biggest name in rap nationally.
“Rap and Politics: Perceptions of Brazilian Social Life,” Roberto Camargos
The book analyzes more than 10,000 compositions produced in Brazil to provide an overview of rhythm themes since the 1990s.
“Turn on the Sound: The Transformations of Rap in Brazil,” Ricardo Indig Teperman
The book deals with the relationship of authorities to street battles, the positioning of rappers in the music market and the relationship between rap and the music industry.
series
“Hip Hop Evolution” on Netflix
The documentary shows the development of hiphop from the 70s to the 2000s. In four seasons, the film shows interviews with MCs, DJs and music producers.
“Ladies First: Women in Hip Hop,” on Netflix
The fourchapter miniseries traces the careers of women in US hiphop. Names such as Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and others are mentioned as pioneers of the female rhythm movement.
“The Get Down” on Netflix
The series depicts the origins of the hiphop movement in New York in the late 1970s. Over two seasons, the fictional work shows how DJs, MCs, dancers and graffiti artists created the foundations of hiphop in the Bronx.
“Unsolved,” on Netflix
The series dramatizes the true investigation into the murder of rap icons Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, the Notorius BIG.
movies
“City of Lies” on Amazon Prime
The film follows the exploits of Russell Poole (Johnny Depp), a Los Angeles police officer responsible for investigating the deaths of rappers Notorious BIG and Tupac Shakur. As part of the investigation, he also looks into the rivalry between the West Coast and the East Coast.
Straight Outta Compton: The History of NWA, on Globoplay
The film tells the story of the Californian group NWA, which was founded in the 80s and whose members included Ice Cube and Dr. Dre belonged.
“The Art of Rap”
The documentary is directed by IceT. The film shows the career of the actor and rapper and also a small insight into the history of rap in the USA through interviews with names such as Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Eminem, Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Caz.
“Racionais: From the Streets of São Paulo to the World,” on Netflix
The documentary, based on the accounts of the four members, tells the story of Brazil’s largest rap group. Directed by Juliana Vicente, the film features rare images and testimonies of people who have been part of the group’s history, such as Eliane Dias, businesswoman and Brown’s wife.
“Notorius BIG The Legend of Hip Hop” on Netflix
The documentary traces the life journey of one of America’s greatest rappers, Notorius BIG. Using rare images, the work deals with the artist’s family life.
“Emicida: AmarElo Live,” on Netflix
The documentary goes behind the scenes of the singer’s show, recorded at the Theatro Municipal de São Paulo, with songs from the artist’s album of the same name.
“Roxanne Roxanne” on Netflix
The film follows the journey of rapper Roxanne Shanté, who became a hiphop legend in the ’80s.