After look at what dirty hip-hop is, we’ll now be going further to other elements of it. Popularly known as the 5 of Hip-hop, includes MCing, DJing, Breakdancing, Graffiti, and Knowledge.

If you’re constantly tuned into our platform, you should already know by now that hip-hop ain’t just beats and rhymes.

Literally, it’s a whole movement, a culture that started from the streets and turned into something global.

Today, people across the world recognize hip-hop as more than just a music genre, because, it’s a lifestyle, a voice, and a vibe that runs deep.

But if you’ve ever asked…

“What really makes hip-hop, hip-hop?”, then you’re in the right place to get answers. However you gotta go back to the roots.

At its foundation, there’s something called the 5 of Hip-hop. Basically, this means that Hip-hop is made up of or categorized in five elements.

These elements shaped the culture and gave it life. They’re not just parts of the game — they are the game.

Allow me to break them down and see how each one helped build what we know as hip-hop today.

1. MCing – The Voice of the Streets

MCing, also known as rapping, is one of the most recognized elements. This is the lyrical part of hip-hop involving the bars, the flow, and the punchlines.

MCs, or Masters of Ceremony, started out hyping up the crowd at block parties. But soon, it became more than just party talk.

Rappers started telling stories, speaking out on real-life issues, flexing their wordplay, and building a lane of lyrical expression that spoke to millions.

To mention a few of my favorite MCs, think Tupac, Nas and Kendrick Lamar. They aren’t just rappers, but also poets, historians, and voices of their time.

MCing gave hip-hop its voice, making it loud, unfiltered, and real.

2. DJing – The Beat Behind the Culture

Before there were rappers, there were DJs. DJing is where hip-hop really began. It was DJs like Kool Herc who started looping the best parts of funk records which are those hard-hitting breakbeats, and that’s what got people moving.

DJs brought the rhythm. They didn’t just play music, but created the sound. From scratching to mixing to beat juggling, DJs turned two turntables into instruments.

Without DJs, there would be no MCs. There would be no party. DJing laid the groundwork and kept the energy flowing.

Today, even in an era of digital music, the influence of DJ culture is still strong, from live shows to TikTok mixes.

3. Breakdancing – Movement with a Message

When the beat drops, your body moves, and that’s where breakdancing comes in. Also called B-boying or B-girling, this form of dance became the physical heartbeat of hip-hop.

Breakdancers hit the floor with spins, freezes, footwork, and power moves that blow your mind. Regardless, it’s more than just moves, it’s about expression, control, and battling with respect.

Back in the day, instead of fighting in the streets, kids used breakdancing battles to settle beefs. And that’s real hip-hop, turning struggle into style.

Now, breakdancing is global. It’s in music videos, on big stages, and even heading to the Olympics. Popular artists that made it stand out was Michael Jackson, Usher, and Chris Brown, just to mention a few.

4. Graffiti – The Art That Spoke Without Words

You must be familiar with art on the wall, when walking through any city. You’ll see colorful murals and tags sprayed across walls, trains, and buildings. That’s graffiti, which is hip-hop’s visual art.

Graffiti gave artists a way to be seen and heard when no one would give them space. Through bold letters, wild styles, and raw color schemes, writers put their names and messages out there, unfiltered.

It wasn’t about permission. It was about claiming your space and speaking your truth without saying a word. The act of doing this is more than tagging walls, it’s storytelling in spray paint. And it’s one of the 5 elements of Hip-hop that made sure the culture was always visible.

5. Knowledge – The Soul of the Culture

This last one is the glue. Knowledge is the fifth and most important element in the 5 of Hip-hop because it holds everything together.

Knowledge means knowing where the culture came from, who it represents, and why it matters. It is about understanding your power as a creator and using hip-hop to uplift, inform, and inspire.

Hip-hop was born in the Bronx, during a time when people had very little, but they still created something powerful.

It also means knowing the history, respecting the pioneers, and pushing the culture forward with purpose.

Without knowledge, hip-hop would just be noise.

In today’s world of viral fame and fast-changing trends, you might wonder if these five elements still hold weight.

The thing is, they are the roots. Even as hip-hop evolves into trap, drill, melodic rap, or conscious rap, every artist today is standing on the foundation that these five elements built.

The 5 of Hip-hop gave us the tools to create, speak, dance, paint, and think. They shaped a generation. And they’re still shaping the next one.

A Quick Recap

The 5 of Hip-hop Are…

MCing: The voice and storytelling

DJing: The rhythm and energy

Breakdancing: The movement and style

Graffiti: The art and visual message

Knowledge: The truth and power