Word
hip hop
Phoneticship·hop
Uncountable noun
Definition
compound. a style of popular music and culture that started in the 1970s. It usually includes rhythmic talking called rapping, electronic beats, and specific styles of dancing and art.
compound. a cultural movement and musical genre originating in African American and Latino communities in the Bronx during the 1970s. It is characterized by four main elements: MCing (rapping), DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti art.
Examples
“He listens to hip hop while he exercises at the gym.”
“The festival celebrates the history of hip hop by inviting legendary DJs and young rappers to perform together.”
“Scholars often analyze hip hop as a powerful form of social commentary that gives a voice to marginalized urban populations through complex lyrical structures and rhythmic innovation.”
Examples
simple
“He listens to hip hop while he exercises at the gym.”
contextual
“The festival celebrates the history of hip hop by inviting legendary DJs and young rappers to perform together.”
complex
“Scholars often analyze hip hop as a powerful form of social commentary that gives a voice to marginalized urban populations through complex lyrical structures and rhythmic innovation.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “hip hop” in context.
Verb
01. hip hop evolves
“Hip hop evolves constantly as new artists experiment with different sounds.”
noun + verb
02. hip hop influences
“Hip hop influences modern fashion and language all over the world.”
noun + verb
03. listen to hip hop
“I like to listen to hip hop while I am working out at the gym.”
verb + prep + noun
04. perform hip hop
“The group will perform hip hop at the local community festival.”
verb + noun
05. produce hip hop
“She uses a laptop and special software to produce hip hop beats.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. early hip hop
“Early hip hop emerged from block parties in the Bronx during the 1970s.”
adj + noun
07. mainstream hip hop
“Mainstream hip hop became a global commercial success in the 1990s.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. element of hip hop
“Graffiti is considered one of the four main elements of hip hop.”
noun + prep + noun
09. fan of hip hop
“My brother has been a huge fan of hip hop since he was a teenager.”
noun + prep + noun
10. dominate the hip hop scene
“The artist has continued to dominate the hip hop scene for over a decade.”
11. pioneer of hip hop
“Grandmaster Flash is recognized as a true pioneer of hip hop culture.”
12. roots of hip hop
“The documentary explores the social and political roots of hip hop.”
Usage
Often used as a modifier before other nouns, such as 'hip hop culture' or 'hip hop artist'.
Real-World Examples
“Hip-hop is 50 years old, and over the last few decades the genre's created a long list of icons who've changed the face of music.” “Following the waning of gang wars and the FBI's suppression of radical black groups in the late 1960s, the emergence of hip-hop in the early '70s represented a profound shift.” “Hip hop began in the late 1970s as an urban subculture, initially confined to two of America's most notorious ghettos - Harlem and the South Bronx in New York City.” “The past decade has entrenched hip hop as not only a permanent part of pop culture, but as pop culture itself.” Etymology
The term is widely credited to Keith 'Cowboy' Wiggins, a member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, who used the phrase to mock a friend who had joined the army. It mimicked the rhythmic cadence of marching soldiers. The phrase was later adopted by Afrika Bambaataa to describe the entire subculture.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/hip-hop