Hip-Hop
Our focus this half term will be on hip-hop music, based around the theme of the hit TV show of the 90s - 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air'.
The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air Theme Song
The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air was a hit comedy TV show throughout the 1990s, featuring a boy called Will who went to live in Bel Air (a rich part of L.A) with his Uncle, Aunty and their three children. We will be learning this song.
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air with lyrics
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message (Official Video)
Grandmaster Flash is a legend of the genre - this is his biggest hit from 1982. Use it to help you with the previous task also.
TASK: What is he rapping about?
EXTRA TASK: Which do you prefer from The Sugarhill Gang and Grandmaster Flash?
RUN-DMC - It's Tricky (Video)
ANother legendary rap group - RUN DMC. This track is from 1986. TASK: How has fashion changed from this time?
Public Enemy - Rebel Without A Pause (Video)
Public Enemy were leaders in the genre from 1986 through the 1990s and were made up originally of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, Khari Wynn, DJ Lord, and the S1W group. Other famous names associated with them that you may know are Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. How is hip-hop here beginning to change?
LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out
LL Cool J was another rapper who released his debut album in 1985 and released his last album in 2013! In 2018, he released a live album. This famous track was from 1990. LL Cool J also worked with Public Enemy.
Kris Kross - Jump
In 1992, Kris Kross hit the charts with 'Jump'. This shows how rap looked in the early 1990s. TASK: How are all our rap songs similar? How do they compare with the rock genre of Bon Jovi?
Hip-Hop and Islam
Hip-hop has produced various rap groups and individuals who are Muslim. As it's Ramadan, let's have a look at some.
TASK:
1. Why and how do you think they've used this music to express themselves?
2. How does it differ to the videos above?
3. WHat do you think of them?
Native Deen - Not Afraid to stand Alone
Outlandish - Introspective
Outlandish was a hip-hop music group based in Denmark. Formed in 1997, it consists of Isam Bachiri (born in Denmark and of Moroccan background), Waqas Ali Qadri (born in Denmark and of Pakistani background), and Lenny Martinez (born in Honduras and of Cuban and Honduran descent). All three members are religious, with Isam and Waqas being Muslims and Lenny being Catholic. The group disbanded in 2017 as each member wanted to pursue personal projects.
Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer
Our Focus this half term will be on this iconic rock song. Lets's compare and contrast Bon Jovi, their video and their music to today's.
Music video by Bon Jovi performing Livin' On A Prayer. (C) 1986 The Island Def Jam Music Group
Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me
A British rock group from the 1980s - how do these compare with their American counterparts?
Whitesnake - Here I Go Again
Compare this with Livin' On A Prayer - what similarities / differences can you see?
Music video by Whitesnake performing Here I Go Again - 1987.
Billy Idol - Rebel Yell
Another British artist of the 1980's rock genre. Do you prefer him to Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and Def Leppard or not? Why?
