Changes to the musical production of hip-hop, along with growing stylistic diversity and advances in technology, led to the community-imposed concept of an old and new school. The “Old School” is associated with the period from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s. Rap gained commercial viability in 1979 with The Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” and later with artists like Kurtis Blow. “New School” rap was coined by the 2nd generation artist (1984) to distinguish the pop sensibilities of the first commercial generation of rap artists and ranged from the pop-oriented humorous style of the Fat Boys, for example, to the rock-oriented sounds of say, Run-D.M.C. Women rappers like Queen Latifah introduced Black women’s point of view to rap fans and proved that they were as skilled and commercially successful as the men.The chaotic sounds of Public Enemy and N.W.A became known as hardcore. The harsh lyrical content mirrored the deteriorating conditions of the inner-cities and pushed the boundaries of lyrical complexity and social commentary. also known as “conscious” rap and a sub-genre “gangsta” rap characterized by its lyrical focus on the often-violent realities of inner-city life, including crime, gang activity, and drug dealing. In the 2000s, hip-hop music was mainstream.Kanye West’s production and lyricism redirected attention away from gangsta rap and explored a range of topics including his middle-class upbringing, anti-Black racism, corporatism, and his faith presented in full ‘boasting’ style. Additionally, Eminem will become a most revered lyricist, by rap artists and rap fans alike. Encouraging white artists to Foster relationships with people of colour and follow their lead in dismantling oppressive systems. a legacy of Vanilla Ice  the first solo white rapper to achieve commercial success in 1990. Musically, music-making turned away from the East Coast and the West coast and found a new home in the South. Several epicentres develop influential styles: Miami (Miami bass), New Orleans (bounce), Houston (screwed), and Atlanta (crunk and trap). By the 2010s, socially conscious rap will cross over into the mainstream as R&B and rap artists respond to tension borne from increased police and vigilante shootings of unarmed Black men, women, and children, and from advances in technology for self-production and instant sharing through social media. Key artists include Kendrick Lamar. In the 2010s we witness the rise of female MCs as producers of critically acclaimed albums. Women leading the trend include Nicky Minaj and Cardi B. By the 21st century, Rap had become a global phenomenon, influencing music, fashion, and culture worldwide. Fame in rap often comes with mainstream success and cultural impact, and few have shaped culture like Jay-Z. From his fluid rhymes about hustle and heartache to becoming a mogul in music and business, his influence spans beyond music charts to fashion and social activism.

Michael Geoffrey Skinner (born 27 November 1978) is an English rapper, singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. Best known for the music project The Streets, Skinner was born in Barnet, north London, and grew up in West Heath, Birmingham. He started playing with keyboards at the tender age of five. When he was seven years old, he began experiencing symptoms of epilepsy, which worsened in his early teens. He began writing hip-hop and garage music in his home in West Heath and later built a sound booth in his bedroom, using a cupboard and a mattress. He describes his background as “Barratt class: suburban estates, not poor but not much money about, really boring”. At age 19, Skinner moved to Australia with his girlfriend; after the relationship ended Skinner stayed in Australia for a year. Upon his return to the United Kingdom, Skinner moved to south London. He sent a demo tape of an early version of what would become the song “Has It Come to This?” to a record shop run by A&R Nick Worthington. The song was released as a single in 2001, through Locked On Records. The Streets’ debut album, Original Pirate Material, was released in March 2002. The album was successful both with critics and the general public. In the UK, the album was nominated for the Mercury Prize. and nominated for British Album of the Year. Subsequent singles from Original Pirate Material include “Don’t Mug Yourself”, “Weak Become Heroes” and “Let’s Push Things Forward”. In May 2004, Skinner released the single “Fit but You Know It”, later used as part of the soundtrack for its video game FIFA Football 2005. It appeared on The Streets’ second album; A Grand Don’t Come for Free. The album’s second single, “Dry Your Eyes”, debuted at the top of the chart in the UK “Blinded by the Lights”, the third single, peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart in 2004. The Streets’ third studio album, The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living, was released on 10 April 2006. In the UK it debuted the album chart at number one. In September 2008, The Streets released their fourth studio album, Everything Is Borrowed. In a posting on his Myspace blog, Skinner noted that the group’s upcoming LP would contain “peaceful, positive vibes” in comparison with 2006’s “weird guilt-ridden indulgence” that was The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living.