A cultural movement and music genre that originated in African American communities in New York City in the 1970s, characterized by rap music, breakdancing, graffiti art, and DJing.
Coined in the 1970s by DJ Afrika Bambaataa, possibly from the rhythmic chanting 'hip hop hip hop' used by MCs, or from the hopping dance movements. The term became widely known through the Sugarhill Gang's 1979 song 'Rapper's Delight'.
Hip hop emerged from block parties in the Bronx where DJs like Kool Herc extended the 'break' sections of songs, creating space for breakdancing and rap. This musical innovation transformed not just music but global youth culture, making hip hop one of the most influential art forms of the late 20th century.
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