Select a Song: Choose a song from the early hip hop era (1970s-1980s) to analyze. This song should be representative of the social and cultural context of the time, and should offer insight into the experiences of early hip hop artists. Analyze the Lyrics by listening to the selected song multiple times while reading the lyrics. Consider the following questions:
• What themes are present in the lyrics? How do these themes relate to the social and cultural context of the time?
• What is the tone of the song? Is it celebratory, critical, or a combination of both?
• How do the lyrics represent the experiences of the artist and the communities they come from?
Early Hip Hop Artists To Consider (not required to choose from this list, just a suggestion):
-Afrika Bambaataa
-Grand Master Flash & The Furious 5
-Sugarhill Gang
-The Cold Crush Brothers
-Run D.M.C
-The Beastie Boys
-Doug E. Fresh
-LL Cool J
….and the list goes on
**Remember the artist(s) must be from the early hip hop era (1970s – 1980s)
