Just as in other cultures, hip hop has its fundamentals. These are the pillars that keep it standing as we know it today. Elements of a culture define its boundaries. They provide guidelines on how certain things are conducted. The five elements of hip hop consist of the following;
1. MCing
Mcing got its name from Jamaica where it was first practiced. It is a short form for a master of ceremony. This is the most notable individual role in hip-hop music. Keeping in time with whatever music is playing, the MCs are expected to entertain their fans as they provide the base for the dancers to do b-boying. They are the most vibrant and most energetic people in hip hop. These are the people who control stage events of hip-hop music.
2. DJing
This is a short form for disc jockeying. DJs are talented people who can create new music using already existing recorded songs, sounds, and music. DJing was fast done to loop drum brakes of certain songs using turntables to make the break last longer. This turned around the music industry because it laid the foundation for b-boys to breakdance and MCs to rap. It is an intensively creative process that results in innovative culture in hip hop. The DJs create knew unique bids that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
3. B-boying
B-boying first became popular in the US then spread to other places of the world. It has distinctive features which are floor-based; syncopated rhythm and physically impressive techniques. It is called b-boying because b-boys mean break boys who dance to break part of the music. That dancing itself has five elements which are top rock, back rock, power moves, freezes, and footwork.
4. Graffiti
Graffiti is the visual impression of hip-hop culture. It was first seen on the streets of Philadelphia by a high school student who was seeking the attention of a girl. Ever since it has spread to different places of the world and you can find it on buildings buses and even sidewalks. It is a form of art that is more than just tagging; the hip-hop culture belongs to its listeners. However, it has had its fair share of squabbles with the law; it is not clear whether is legal or not in some countries. Graffiti has different forms which include slaps, tags, blockbusters, throw up, paste-ups, heaven, and stencil.
5. Beatboxing
It is the spiritual foundation of hip hop. It can set the tone in hip hop music. It is when a beatboxer creates a repeating beat using their mouth to produce a sound that is accompanied by a rapper. It is, therefore, used to set important hip hop events such as rap battles. Beatboxing transforms the beatboxer into a musical instrument. It has inspirations drawn from other forms of vocal percussion set us scatting drone from jazz just as other cultures draw inspirations from each other.
