What is the history of rap? What early forms of expression can the music be traced back to?

Rap started in the 1970s in the neighbourhoods of South Bronx. Mainly teenagers practiced rap and it soon became popular. However they say rap started in the Caribbean and mainly had African roots. Hip-Hop had a huge influence on rap because of its creative rhythms and styles. Rap was mainly used for expression and talked about the situation that was going on in the 'hood'. Soon rap, as it was mainly presented on the streets, travelled from Bronx to different clubs around the U.S.

What key ideas are explored in rap music? Can you find any quotes as examples?

Some of the main ideas in rap music are mainly racisms and self expression. Rap songs are used to express your feelings, this could be something you love or hate, something that is around the media and even something about rap itself. Rap is used to describe your thoughts and that is the main key in rap music. I chop ‘em into salad and my name ain’t Caesar.- Black Thought, “@15,” from The Roots’ Rising Down, 2008
Step to this and get shanked up,
I knocked out so many teeth, the tooth fairy went bankrupt.

- Big L, “Let ‘Em Have it L,” Lifestyles Ov Da Poor and Dangerous, 1995

Inhale deep like the words of my breath,
I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death.

- Nas, “New York State of Mind,” Illmatic, 1994

Rap music is closely linked to Hip Hop culture - what is Hip Hop culture? How and why did it develop?

Hip-Hop started in the streets within african-american communities at the same time as rap. It soon spread to Latin-American communities and went all over the U.S. It developed because the people in the 'hood' started rapping and so the crowed join in to make a rhythm and so Hip-Hop began. 

For example, THE BEASTIE BOYS!

YOU'VE GOT TO FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO PARTY.
 Beastie Boys started in New York, 1981. Mike D, drums, Adam MCA, bass,  and Adam Ad-Rock, guitarist. There is also Mix Master Mike and Run- D.M.C. They were originally formed as a hardcore punk with John Berry as guitarist. 

My personal thoughts about rap music is that i like the idea of expression by using rhymes and rhythm and perform it in an incredible performance were lots of people join in. However there is good rap and very bad rap. I just prefer 1970s rock.