Rap music, a style of music originating from the hip hop genre, has evolved over the years. Rap is spoken poetry; you come up with some nice beats and add a nice beat to back it up. No one can really say how rap began; Some say that “rap has its roots in the beat poets of the 1950s. They read their poetry to the rhythms of jazz musicians”. While some believe it all started in the Bronx, "Rap originated in the Bronx, New York in the 1970s. Due to personal memories and the mythical aspect of hip hop. Rap music is more than just a musical genre, it has become a way of life for many people. Rap is “a vocal style in which the artist speaks lyrically, in rhyme and verse, usually to an instrumental or synthesized beat.” Rap goes back to Africa “Rap goes back to its African roots. Centuries before hip hop music existed, West African griots told stories rhythmically, using drums and sparse instruments. Such connections have been recognized by many modern artists, modern-day "griots", spoken word artists, mainstream news sources, and academics. “Hip hop, graffiti, DJing, B-Boying and emceeing have four main components. The first of the four original elements of hip-hop, Graff-writing (aka graffiti). Graffiti is words or drawings that have been “illegally scribbled, scratched or sprayed on a wall or other surface, often in a public place.” Graffiti can be just a simple word for detailed wall portraits. Graffiti is believed to have started in Washington Heights in the late 60s and 70s. Graffiti was a way for people to express themselves and mark their territory. The contribution of graffiti to hip-hop is enormous. The transplant was an important step in self-expression in inner cities.The...... middle of paper ......f empowerment.BibliographyWikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Internet. April 14, 2014. "NMoH | National Hip Hop Museum." National Hip Hop Museum NMoH RSS. Internet. April 14, 2014. “The beginnings: from the 19th century to the 1940s.” History of the DJ. Internet. April 14, 2014."93.04.04: The evolution of rap music in the United States." 93.04.04: The evolution of rap music in the United States. Internet. April 15, 2014."Nas discusses the importance of hip-hop with Harvard professors - Rap Basement." Rap basement. Internet. April 15. 2014..