Rap music began to take shape in the early 1970s, when African Americans and other marginalized communities began using hip-hop as a form of expression. The first rap songs were short and simple, consisting of rhyming couplets delivered over a breakbeat.
However, the genre quickly evolved into a full-fledged art form with complex lyrics and virtuoso delivery. By the late 1980s, rap music was firmly entrenched in the mainstream, with major labels investing in stars like NWA and Biggie Smalls.
Rap’s popularity continued to grow throughout the 1990s and 2000s, as artists like Eminem, 50 Cent, and Kanye West achieved global success. Today, rap music is widely considered one of the most influential genres in popular culture, enjoyed by fans of all ages.
While its origins are rooted in street culture and urban warfare, rap has evolved into a versatile and powerful art form that can be enjoyed by all.