vulgarize
Jazz has contributed a great deal to the style of Hip-hop music. Some critics have said that Hip-hop is just a way to “ruin” or “ vulgarize” Jazz, but what those people don’t understand is that the artists of today are taking the influences of past Jazz musicians and adding their own new elements to create new music. Hip-hop takes all the elements that Jazz contains, like infectious rhythms and intense melodies, and develops it into something new. Just like with Jazz, improve-or freestyling-is a lauded skill in hip-hop that allows rappers to express their thoughts and feelings on the spot with their music. It’s not uncommon for “battle rappers” to engage in freestyle battles and ciphers for sport. It all comes back to improvisation. Whether you’re playing Jazz or rapping your own lyrics, you are able to communicate your feelings through music, which is an enlightening experience. As George Gershwin once said, “Life is a lot like jazz. It’s best when you improvise.”