Vanderwoude, Matthew W. C. J.2018-03-012018-03-012017-06-192018-03-01http://hdl.handle.net/10315/34304This thesis is made up of 7 original compositions that aid in exploring the common cultural traits and practices of African-American music referred to using the metaphor of the Jazz Gene. These conventions are historically contextualized and analyzed through two categories of rhythm and harmony from a post-Jazz perspective. The compositions in this thesis also highlight influences and artists from various African-American genres whose active compositional styles create unique frameworks in their genres such as James Brown, Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove, Robert Glasper, and Dr. Dre. I surmise that without these common traits and practices found in these unique frameworks, Hip-Hop music would not persevere or evolve. These aesthetics exist in Hip-Hop just as much as they exist in Funk, Soul, R&B, Gospel, and Jazz music.enAuthor owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests.Music educationElectronic Thesis or Dissertation2018-03-01CompositionCompositionsMusicHip-HopHip HopJazzPost-JazzPost JazzGeneJazz GeneJazz AestheticsJazz AestheticAfrican-AmericanAfrican AmericanMusic TheoryJazz TheoryArrangingRhythmHarmonyAnalysisHistoryAfrican-American HistoryR&BBluesFunkGospel