[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by troutman

Did Ali invent Rap?

http://espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=alirap1

Muhammad Ali unknowingly invented rap music, simply by being himself in public. If true, this would mean that rap did not originate (as commonly believed) in the South Bronx during the '70s; it would mean rap was invented in Kentucky during the '60s.

While it's difficult to prove Ali invented rap music, it's almost indisputable that he spawned what is now referred to as "the modern athlete," a term that's generally used as coded, pejorative language. When someone complains about "the modern athlete," he or she is usually just saying, "This particular black athlete behaves like a rap star, even though I've never actually listened to rap music in my entire life." These perceived traits include overt self-promotion, indifference toward authority, and confidence that hemorrhages into arrogance. As such, the relationship among Ali, sport, and rap is latently omnipresent, and examples of that three-pronged relationship are everywhere.

In his book "Hip: The History," journalist John Leland calls Ali a "trickster of hip" who used his narcissism as "an instrument of generational catharsis, not private need."

http://www.seattletimes.com/entertai...ventor-of-rap/

I've sometimes blamed Ali for the invention of rap. I guess he wasn't perfect.

Ali got his shtick from Gorgeous George, one of the top wrestlers of the time.

As a young Cassius Clay, Muhammad Ali was impressed by George's boasting and noticed the electrifying effect it had on the crowd. He thought the loudmouth act might work for him, and he was right. James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, admired George's flamboyant use of capes, and soon his stage act featured him sobbing through Please Please Please, all the while being comforted and draped in a cape by a valet. Even Bob Dylan drew strength from the Gorgeous George stance as an antihero.

http://www.tampabay.com/features/boo...nd-more/827228

Also at the time beat poets such as Allen Ginsberg were appearing on TV and making recordings of their poetry.

NSFW!