Essay Sample on Japanese Hip-Hop

Introduction

The hip-hop movement began in the 1970s and led to the formation of a sub-culture in the United States, which spread to other parts of the world. It has influenced the growth of hip-hop cultures in various countries such as Uyghur hip-hop in China, Romani hip-hop in the Czech Republic, and Basque in Spain. Notably, it was introduced in Japan in the early 1980s and has had a tremendous influence on the nation's music and culture compared to other Asian countries. Technology has supported the success of the genre in the country. Japan constitutes 90% indigenous people, yet one may be astonished by its advancement in the adoption of the hip-hop culture and music. The genre has become more popular than other types of music among the Japanese youth. Notably, individuals may wonder how Japan, a highly regulated society is capable of adopting Americas tales of urban poverty and racial struggles. Despite the obstacles faced by Japanese musician while embracing all the hip-hop elements, the music genre has transformed Japanese cultural and musical aspects by the introduction of new lifestyles, musical performances, and breakdances

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Impact of Hip Hop on Japanese Music

The American hip-hop culture has influenced japans musical genre largely. Although the influence is one way, the Japanese artists do not seem discouraged to adopt the music. According to Alim (2011), hip-hop music produced in America has a high consumption in Japan, while Americans do not consume Japanese hip-hop music (Osumare, 2001). Nevertheless, the situation did not discourage hip-hop pioneers in the country to produce their tracks emulating the American hip-hop style. In order to understand the hip-hop influence on Japanese music comprehensively, one must first understand the origin of the music. According to Alim (2011), hip-hop music started in the 1970s in New York City and incorporated the use of graffiti, breakdance, and violence that may have been influenced by Japanese and Chinese martial arts. The music was played in hidden parties in Bronx by popular black DJs. The attendees would record the DJs and circulate the music, which led to the spread of the culture. In 1980's hip-hop crews from the region started recording their tracks and creating films to to set the standard of the hip-hop culture. Notably, people thought the genre was a passing phase; nevertheless, they were successful in creating their awareness across the country. In 1983, the culture spread globally by the help of the film Wild Style that was an expose of the style (Osumare, 2001). It was aired in Japanese cinemas, where it caught the attention of many youths and musicians. Despite the youth having difficulties understanding the lyrics due to the language barrier, they were astonished by the dance. Notably, they youth were ignorant in the social and cultural context of the American hip hop which was rooted in gangster lifestyles and violence. Japan was alose

Due to the influence of the Wild Style film, Japanese artists started producing hip-hop tracks despite challenges in language and rhyming. The situation made the country unable to provide any successful rapper for about a decade after hip-hop introduction. Japanese sentences were incompatible with the American rapping effect due to rhyming problems. The Japanese language is mono-tonal, which made rhyme not a part of the countries music (Osumare, 2001). However, the artists started experimenting with various rhyming styles and flows. As a result, few artists such as Takagi Kan, Vibrastone, and Tinnie Punx were able to produce their first albums.

Notably, most artists tried their luck in emulating the hip-hop culture, but they were unsuccessful. However, in the early 1990s, Japanese artists discovered that they could incorporate some of their cultural aspects into hip-hop music to cater for their inefficiencies. The move ensured that they maintained a taste of the Japanese music as they adopted new ideas. Japanese hip-hop underwent a tremendous revolution in the mid-1990s, which was marked by the formation of the "Thumpin Camp." The 1996 event united thirty hip-hop groups in the country. The movement's music became popular due to its cultural affiliation. The name Thumpin resonated from the lower class of samurais in the country. In contrast, the artists were associating themselves with the American hip-hop culture, which was popular among minority blacks in the United States. The name affirmed the musicians' position in the Japanese music scene. Additionally, premier artists participated in the event as a gesture of ushering w new era in music. They were determined to overthrow the conventional Japanese music culture, which was embedded in pop melodies (Osumare, 2001). Noticeably, organizers of the event created the slogan "I killed J-Rap," which meant the killing of popular Japanese rap music.

Japanese artists also changed their language and musical tones. Although the Japanese language was not compatible with most Japanese words, they tried to blend in some slogans used by American hip-hop artists. They adopted the use of slang, which consisted of the alteration of the Japanese language to suit hip-hop instrumentals. The phenomenon ushered in a new e= language among the youth. In the early 2000s, Japanese youth would identify each other using slang names, which aimed at popularizing the genre.

Radio stations in the country also shifted their attention to the emerging hip-hop music. Mainstream media has a significant impact in spreading the popularity of a type of music in any region. Japanese youth-radio and television stations introduced programs that played hip-hop music. The situation aided in popularizing the genre among many youths in rural Japan. Moreover, they promoted upcoming artists by providing them with a platform to display their talents.

On the other hand, the youth purchased the track records in volume, which encouraged music groups in the country. Unlike other music categories that were poorly performing in terms of record sales, hip-hop sales increased tremendously in the wake of the twenty-first century. Currently, hip-hop is the most popular genre of music among Japanese youth. Artists have joined the lucrative endeavor, which serves as a form of entertainment and expression among young people.

The Emergence of Breakdance Dancing Style

Unlike in the United States, where hip-hop videos were filled with gangs and images of violence, Japanese hip-hop artists adopted the breakdance style. Pioneers of hip-hop music in Japan opted to use breakdance as the main content of their videos instead of violence due to the nature of their society. Additionally, most of the youth were attracted to the dances since they could not understand most words. Notably, they would practice in their schools, while other formed street dance crews, which competed against each other. According to Alim, (2011), the occurrence led to the emergence of dance schools in Tokyo that specialized in hip-hop. In 2005, the city had about forty dance schools. Currently, Tokyo has about 100 dance schools that train young children and teenagers concerning trendy hip-hop dancing styles. Motley & Henderson (2008) further discloses that the institutions outsource choreographers from New York to train the youngsters. The dancers are often payed to perform in nightclubs around the country.

Today, due to advancements in technology, youths can record their dance moves and share with their online friends. Unlike in the 80s and 70s, Japanese teenagers nowadays publish their dance videos, which incorporate music tracks. The short videos are shared over the internet, which has an extensive coverage (Motley & Henderson, 2008). The condition allows dancers in America to view and modify the Japanese dances moves into a new style, which is later transmitted back into the country. The two-way traffic communication among dancers has made break-dance one of the most favorite leisure activities among the youth.

The Emergence of Graffiti

Graffiti is one aspect of American culture that has been dominating the Japanese entertainment and music industry of late. Graffiti are drawings made on walls, clothes, or cars, which contain hidden themes that are only relevant to the users. The culture emerged in Japan in the early 1970s. The youth used to paint the trains with graffiti such as their names or faces. In Japanese, graffiti is known as "rukagaki." Today, most subway walls in Japan are filled with graffiti displaying prominent hip-hop legends such as Tupac, BIG, and Eminem. The teenagers adore most of these artists as their idols. Additionally, the paintings are also visible in most outfits and painting on cars. Moreover, in most public washrooms in Japan, one cannot miss spotting a graffiti written or painted using permanent ink.

Influence of Hip-Hop on Japanese Culture

Cultural transformation is one of the significant influence hip-hop music has on various countries in the world. Apart from music, American hip-hop provided the youth with a distinct lifestyle, which influences their thinking, fashion, and language. The Japanese hip-hop was influenced by old-school hip-hop, which was characterized by dance culture, graffiti, and catchy beats. Moreover, black Americans viewed the genre as a means of expressing their anger and feelings. The above elements were diffused into the Asian societies through cultural dialogue in the wake of technological advancement in mainstream media. Notably, Japanese youth did not adopt the aspects through cultural understanding; instead, they acquired them through interaction, which lured them to participate, learn, and contribute at an individual level. Cultural transformation in Japan was evident through the introduction of old-school fashion, graffiti culture, and breakdancing.

Hip-Hop as a Mode of Political Expression

Japan's society values education in such a way that academic excellence is believed to determine a person's future. However, after the economic recession, the number of unemployed youths, most who are graduates, in the country increased. As a result, the people lost faith in their education system and the government. The musicians utilize the music to pressure the government and spread political slogans in the country.

Hip Hops Influence on Japanese Fashion

Japanese youth have changed their mode of dressing to imitate hip-hop stars across the world, which is imported via social media. Today, many hip-hop artists display their fashion accessories on social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, which makes them look trendy. The Japanese youth acquire the social pressure, which has caused them to abandon traditional Japanese brands such as Levi's to more trendy outfits. Notably, baggy trousers, hooded sweatshirts, sports jerseys, and other fashion accessories characterize hip-hop fashion.

Today, in Tokyo, many clothing shops are dealing with trendy hip-hop attires. The business is booming due to the increased dominance of the fashion influence. Notably, most American hip-hop celebs are responsible for the spread of the trend. Most of them own multinational clothing lines, which enable them to promote their brands to foreign countries. They deal with clothes that are appealing and attractive to the youth; with most of them harboring resonating from the American urban lifestyle. The celebrities produce music videos highlighting their trendy clothes as a means of advertisement. As a result, the youth buy the clothes to emulate them. Although most of the fashion accessories are short-lived, the idea does not discourage the youth to spend a significant amount of their money to purchase them.

Moreover, the influence on fashion extends to the use of customized electronics and sportswear. In the first case, there exist a variety of hip-hop customized music gadgets su...