Introduction
Cool is an elusive attribute as it is a subtle word that changes meaning that is dynamic through different generations (Vuolo). At its simplest form cool refers to something or the weather that is neither hot nor too cold. At the turn of the 16th century, the word cool metamorphosed from describing weather or temperature attributes to suggesting deliberation, calmness, and rationality (Vuolo). Also, in the 19th century also changed its meaning from describing composure to an alluring mix of hipness, style, and poise (Vuolo). Consequently, the act of being cool is a diminishing shadow that changes with time. The paper therefore seeks to establish a comparison between ‘cool’ in the rock and roll period and the modern day hip hop.
History of Rock And Roll
Rock and roll is a music genre that was very popular I the 1950’s. In his song, Muddy Waters sings that “the blues had a baby and they named it rock and roll” (Rusell). The song partly attributes the existence of rock and roll to blues. However, studies show that country music, blues, Appalachian folk and Tin Pan also contributed to the formation of the rock and roll genre. The name rock and roll came from a popular DJ Alan Freed, which originates from a popular slang in the rhythm and blues circles when referring to sexual intercourse (Rusell). Rock and roll became a major attraction for teenagers in the 50’s, however, the adults and religious groups didn’t appreciate the music and all its culture.
‘Cool’ In the Rock and Roll Era
One of the things that made rock and roll music cool during the 50’s was the infectious rhythm (Rusell). It was essentially a dance music that teenagers enjoyed very much. Jazz trends such as bebop had sophisticated instrumental rhythms that appealed more to the older audiences that did not fancy dance rhythms.
The electric guitar also became a cool instrument during then rock and roll era. The emergence of an electric guitar overshadowed the influence of jazz which comprised of small, sophisticated musical arrangements (Rusell). Jazz usually incorporated more of acoustic instruments. The birth of electric guitars brought forward cool personalities such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. Their prowess in playing the electric guitar and the amplifiers made them cool among the fans of rock and roll music (Rusell).
Rock and roll also had a significant cultural impact during its era. Early rock legends such as Little Richard and Elvis received adoration for their rebellious attitudes and had a cultural ethos. Rock and roll music introduced the white suburban teenagers to a culture that appeared more thrilling, exotic and illicit. Every teenager considered them cool and they started emulating their way of life ranging from hairstyles, attitudes, and clothing (Rusell). The rock and roll culture viewed rebellion as a cool factor among its fans. For instance, when Bill Haley curtain raised the motion pictures movie Blackboard Jungle with their music “Rock Around the Clock,” the teen in the theatre throughout America stomped on their seats. The movie theme also portrayed defiance by the characters of Marlon Brando and James Dean echoed in the music.
The teenagers continued with their rock and roll defiance also into the fashion industry (Dudbridge). They got inspirations from artists such as Elvis and James Dean’s style in the movie “Rebel without a Cause” (Dudbridge). Boys preferred wearing denim, leather jackets, white shirt and applied gel to their hair and pushed them back. The ladies drew fashion inspiration from beatnik (Dudbridge). Beatnik was a group of writers that documented the rebellious rock and roll culture of sex and drug indulgence. The Beatnik had their uniform which comprised of oversized dresses and striped shirts (Dudbridge). They also wore, cowl necks and short sleeved sweatshirts paired with either slim fitting trousers or pencil skirts which wore in all black.
‘Cool’ Similarities between Rock n’ Roll and Hip Hop Eras
Hip-hop is an urban pop culture movement that began in 1980’s among the African American communities (Taylor and Taylor). The hip-hop culture consists of so many aspects such as graffiti, rap music, and fashion styles. It is also a form of expression for the youths which has evolved over the years.
Although hip-hop and rock and roll belong to two different eras, there some similarities in what they consider cool for their audience. For instance, the main theme among the rock and roll fans in the 50’s is defiance. Most rock and roll artists exhibited rebellious characteristics against authorities. For example, in the 50’s the teens wanted autonomy from their parents consequently they engaged in sex and drug abuse in their rock and roll parties. Rock and roll formed the basis for protest songs artists such as U2 composed songs in protest against human rights violation.
Similarly, the hip-hop artists seem to glorify an attitude if defiance against authorities. Most of the artists like to be free thinkers in their lyrics addressing personal struggles. Hip-hop artists such as Ice Cube shows disdain and lack of his respect for the police respect for the police and demonstrated that in the lyrics of their songs with N.W.A where curses the police responding to the rampant police corruption at that time. The culture allows the use of vulgar and profane language which signifies disdain for what the society considers decent. The fans consider this defiance character as a cool thing as it demonstrates brevity to criticize the authority.
Hip-hop is also similar to rock and roll as sexual immorality thrives in it. During the rock and roll era teenagers engaged in sex as a protest and to exercise their freedom. However, in this society, women are somehow depicted as a tool for male sexual pleasure. Hip-hop culture glorifies sex as their video are full of nudity and sexual nuances just like the name rock and roll describe sexual intercourse (Taylor and Taylor). Among the predominant hip-hop theme, sex is a commodity. The lyrics usually show no appreciation for fidelity or romance. Consequently, both cultures view the act of engaging in immoral sexual activities as cool and acceptable.
It is also very common for hip-hop artists to mention or insinuate drug abuse or sell in their art. Consequently, it is a common misconception that all fans that enjoy the music either deal or use illicit drugs (Taylor and Taylor). For instance, among the hip-hop populations, they consider marijuana as a drug just like alcohol and not an illicit substance. Similarly, in the rock and roll era, there was a rise in the use and deals of illicit drugs which received a lot of backing from the artists who were champions of the culture. Therefore, both eras are similar as they consider indulging in illicit substances as cool.
Also, hip-hop music is also similar to rock and roll as it greatly affects the way of life of their target audience. Both genres fans draw their fashion inspiration from their artists same. Imitating an artist’s fashion is considered cool. For instance in the video Trap Queen by Fetty Wap shows him and the video extras adorning hats, chains, tattoos, watches, and earrings. Fetty Wap also appears in that video with his girlfriend cruising expensive cars and when they step out, they are wearing expensive Jordan sneakers. Hip-hop culture is all about the flashy designer wears. Consequently, fans who subscribe to the way of life will try mostly to wear the chains, the expensive sneakers Jordan just like the artists. In the Tupac Shakur era, the early 90s majority of his fan used to ear bandanas just like him. Therefore both the rock and roll and hip-hop movement view imitating artists fashion style as a ‘cool’ thing.
Furthermore, just like rock and roll, dancing I also a cool factor in hip-hop music. Rock and roll fans preferred it over jazz as it had danceable bits that. The artists mastered the prowess of playing with the electric guitar to create irresistible tunes and rhythms. Similarly, the hip-hop artists focus on the thumping of the beats and flowing with them. One of the major attributes of the music is break dancing. The mastery of this art is considered cool among the fans.
Conclusion
Overall, the rock and roll music had its own definition of cool while the hip-hop culture has its own. The definition of the term cool has definitely metamorphosed to something different. However, there are factors such as the attitudes of defiance, the influence of the music on their fashion sense, and the indulgence in illicit drugs and sex still remains the similarities between the two diverse eras. The fashion sense, however, evolved for example, for the male gender they have shifted from the gelled hair to more sophisticated haircuts among many others, but the underlying principles of coolness did not evolve. Teenagers over the years always seek to rebel in an attempt to find their independence from their parents and authorities which they consider ‘cool’.
Works Cited
Dudbridge, Saxony. "History of Fashion 1950’s – 1960’s." n.d. Catwalk yourself Website. 15 February 2018. .
Rusell, Robert. "Characteristics of Rock n Roll Music." 15 September 2017. Our Pastimes Website. 17 February 2018. .
Taylor, Carl and Virgil Taylor. "Hip Hop is Now: An Evolving Youth Culture." Reclaiming Children and Youth (2007): 210 -213. 15 February 2018. .
Vuolo, Mike. The Birth of Cool. 1 October 2013. 15 February 2018. .
