What are the Four Elements of Hip Hop?

MCing/Emceeing (Oral)

MC is short for Master of Ceremonies. MCing is singing or rhythmically rhyming/rapping. MCs emerged during the 1970s, though origins date back to African culture & oral traditions like the Jamaican practice of toasting (giving shout-outs and talking over the music).

DJing/Deejaying (Aural)

DJ is short for disc jockey. The term dates back to the '40s. A DJ uses turntables, tech & techniques to create music & beats. DJ Kool Herc, “the Father of Hip-Hop,” made breakbeats out of funk & soul at the party that birthed hip-hop in 1973.

Breakdancing (Physical)

Breaking, or b-boying/b-girling, started in 60s-70s NYC. The "break" in breakdancing refers to breakbeats made by DJs like Kool Herc. It borrows heavily from the Brazilian martial art, Capoeira. Breakdancing has reached mainstream acceptance as a 2024 Olympic event.

Graffiti (Visual)

As an act of vandalism, graffiti dates back to ancient Rome. Modern graffiti, AKA tagging or writing, dates back to Philadelphia in the '60's. Darryl “Cornbread” McCray tagged walls across Philadelphia, inspiring other artists, creating a “social uprising.”

Knowledge (Mental)

Credited to Afrika Bambaataa, the “fifth element” of hip-hop is knowledge of the first four elements, but is also knowledge of self, social and political issues. Hip-hop contributes to social change by giving a voice to oppressed people. Without knowledge of self, environment, and community, a person can't express themself or their message.