The term "hip-hop" originates from rap music, around 1974; "to rap" is a verb that nowadays mainly signifies speaking quickly and rhythmically. From an etymological perspective "to rap" signifies the following:
            
             · In the early, the Afro-American community used "rap" as a way to describe different ways of producing rhythmic sounds, for example clapping or drumming.
             · In the 1870s 'to rap' signified the actual act of speaking.
             · In the early 1910s a 'rapper' could be a police informer.
             · Rapping was used by radio disc jockeys of the 1940s to promote their shows, and even the heated discussions of politicians were described as 'rapping'.
             · In 1971 Clarence Major explained 'rap' as holding conversation, or a long, impressive monologue. (Berns, Schlobinski)
            
             Today, the word "rap" brings to mind the genre that has become part of pop culture. It is everywhere we go. When we turn on out TV there are rap heavy-weights selling some new product, or their music playing in the background of an advertisement.
             When rap first peeked its head out, and was being played by disk jocks, it gave people from the ghetto something to relate to. Men were relaying their struggle in an art form, and those who related to it, loved it. It became part of their life. This was no different for women. Mimi Valdés, the editor of Hip Hop Divas states in her forward, the first time she heard "Roxanne's Revenge":
            
             "Almost everyone at my all girl Catholic high school St. Jean Baptiste in Manhattan loved UTFO's "Roxanne, Roxanne". The song about three guys trying to kick it to the neighborhood hot girl out a smirk on our faces. We knew the same scenario took plave every 9.2 seconds in the ghettos all over the world, and that's precisely why we laughed at the brothers' ant...