Jacobi's International Jam Journey

Alternative Hip Hop Alternative hip-hop is a subgenre that comprises components from other genres, such as soul, funk, alternative rock, and even punk rock. The music of this subgenre frequently features a unique mixture of complex soundscapes and an emphasis on lyrical content. Alternative hip-hop does not align with the evolving rules and principles of other competitive mainstream subgenres, such as gangsta rap and trap. Developed in the late 1980s by pioneer artists and groups, including De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, early alternative hip-hop used an eclectic string of influences and sounds to concoct a fun and light energy while incorporating lyrics that provoked thought and captivated earlier audiences. Mainstream audiences continued to enjoy the rhythms and beats of alternative hip-hop into the early 1990s, with groups like Arrested Development and the Fugees rising to stardom and other prominent alternative hip-hop acts like Outkast getting their start. However, the gangs...

Throughout the lifetime of Hip-Hop, there has been a complex relationship between the intersection of music, fashion, and gender roles. Since its beginning in the early 1970s, Hip-Hop's rebellious, rowdy, and revolutionary nature has consistently been the center of discussion in music. Though men dominated the genre initially, the influence of women in Hip-Hop was undeniable, with women adding their touches to Hip-Hop fashion and gaining respect as MCs and producers.  Stereotypes surrounding Black communities and the women who lived in them in the 1980s created pushback as Black women worked to assert themselves in Hip-Hop. Concerning fashion at this time, women adopted the same baggy clothes and sneakers as their male counterparts to shift the focus from their bodies to their musical abilities. One female artist, MC Lyte, is regarded as a pioneer for women in Hip-Hop, donning tracksuits, varsity jackets, and large, expressive earrings while putting her storytelling and rapping abi...