“I AM Hip-Hop.” The Hip-Hop Appreciation Week Write-Off
May 14 '01
The Bottom Line “Rap is something you do, Hip-Hop is something you live.” - KRS-One
The purpose of Hip-Hop Appreciation Week is to work to eliminate the negative stereotypes in Hip-Hop's public image and promote the elements of Hip-Hop culture, so that Hip-Hoppers may unite in the common spirit of the culture.
In celebration of this great week, I decided to put together a small write-off so that the few Hip-Hop listeners here at Epinions can express their feelings about it. I just asked a few questions about rap and Hip-Hop that would give the reader a little insight into Hip-Hop as well as the writer. So with no deep, intellectual introduction or any fanfare, here is my entry.
What Does Hip-Hop Mean to You?
A while back I wrote a review on Boogie Down Production’s album By Any Means Necessary and prettyinpink left a comment expressing her confusion over the way I used the words “Hip-Hop” and “Rap “ interchangeably. I basically explained it like this:
“Rap” refers to the music itself. Spoken words over music is a general, wide-open definition.
“Hip Hop” refers to the culture surrounding the music. The culture consists of nine distinctive elements, which are Emceeing/Rapping, Deejaying, Breakdancing, Graffiti, Beatboxing, Street Language, Street Knowledge, and Street Entrepreneurship. I and many other rap reviewers and critics tend to use the word “Hip-Hop” when we should be typing “Hip-Hop music” or “rap”, assuming that the reader would know the difference. This transposing of the words has brought some confusion to many outsiders and some insiders, so it’s probably a good idea to stop it. I’ll try my best to do so.
As for each element of Hip-Hip, the actual definitions are pretty specific:
Emceeing: This element of Hip-Hop culture is the easiest to recognize due to the widespread success of rap music, the music of Hip-Hop culture. This can be defined as vocalizing improvised or written rhymes in a rhythmical pattern, with or without musical accompaniment.
Deejaying: The art of cutting and scratching. Spinning records at varying speeds in order to repeat specific parts of the recording and/or to produce percussive sounds.
Breakdancing: Hip-Hop expression in the form of dance. Breakdancing originated back in the late 70’s and is a combination of elements borrowed from Kung-Fu, the African martial art Capoeta or Capoeira, and the West Coast urban dance style known as Pop-Locking.
Graffiti: A highly stylized art form painted on public property. The work is usually done on walls using spray paint or markers.
Beatboxing: Musical sounds made using the mouth and occasionally hands. To listen to a true master of this, check out Rahzel from The Roots.
Street Fashion: Also known as urban apparel. Brands like FUBU are dedicated to following the fashion trends of Hip-Hop. The name of the brand itself is an acronym: For Us By Us. Some outside of the culture have called this racist because they assume it means only African Americans can wear this brand. These people are sorely mistaken. The “Us” the name refers to is Hip-Hoppers. When designers like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren (Polo) began assimilating Hip-Hop fashion trends and reselling them back to the Hip-Hop community at a 200% mark-up, a few designers got together and launched the brand, deciding that Hip-Hop fans should play an active role in how their culture is marketed. And remember Hip-Hop is a worldwide phenomenon; Asians, Italians, Germans and whoever else is into Hip-Hop can rock FUBU and not worry about a thing.
Street Language: Linguistics distinctive to the Hip-Hop culture, often referred to as “Ebonics” or “Urban Slang”.
Street Knowledge: To be “streetwise”. The ability to learn the techniques, nuances, and skills needed to survive and thrive in urban life, or life outside of the mainstream.
Street Entrepreneurship: Hip-Hoppers having the social consciousness to reinvest in the community whenever the opportunity arises. A few examples are Mos Def’s bookstore in his home city of Brooklyn, and New Jersey rappers The Outsidaz opening up an ice cream parlor in the Bricks.
Whew! Didn’t know it was that comprehensive did you? One of the great things about Hip-Hop culture is that is adaptive. It changes depending on the mainstream culture and the preexisting culture of the Hip-Hoppers themselves. If you go to Japan, Italy, France, or any of the other countries where Hip-Hop is blooming, the music, language, fashion, and other elements will be slightly different that what you are accustomed to here in the U.S.
The theme of HHAW this year is Charity. In what ways have you heard of Hip Hoppers giving back to the community in a way that was cool?
The media always downplays positivity in Hip-Hop. Throughout it’s short history Hip-Hop heads have always had a sense of social consciousness, and acted on it whenever possible. It burns me that the media would rather dedicate every working camera to show Puffy walking out of his latest trial (Shyne got shafted, by the way), than film some of the things Hip-Hoppers are doing to better their community.
Anyway, there are several instances I can think of that show Hip-Hop’s dedication to charity. In 1999 Master P donated $500,000 to his old elementary school in order to keep it open, and regularly buys Christmas gifts for school children in Baton Rouge. Last year Mos Def, Pharohe Monch, Rah Digga and others collaborated on the “Hip-Hop for Respect” LP in the wake of the Amadou Diallo shooting, with the proceeds going to various organizations that combat police brutality. Also last year, Chicago rapper Common founded the Common Ground Foundation, with the goal of raising funds to put computers in classrooms, supply musical instruments and instruction, as well as set up college scholarship funds.
However, my favorite charitable moment is Hip-Hop is when in 1988, KRS-One brought together Public Enemy, Kool Moe Dee, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Heavy D, Stetsasonic, and BDP to record the hit single “Self-Destruction”, raising over $600,000 for the National Urban League. This was a great moment because for a brief time it brought the Hip-Hop community together, when West Coast artists immediately followed suit with “We’re All in the Same Gang”, a musical plea to stop gang violence. This song featured Oaktown 357, MC Hammer, Tone Loc, J.J. Fad (remember them?), Young MC, NWA (all giving nice little disclaimers in their raps. Punks. Don’t take a stand if you’re not going to take a stand.) and many other artists.
What was your first rap album?
That would have to be How Ya Like Me Now by Mr. Big Sunglasses and Leather Trenchcoat himself, Kool Moe Dee. One of the first videos I remember seeing on Yo! MTV Raps is “Wild Wild West”, a single off the album. It had a kind of urban ‘showdown at the OK Corral’ type of theme; kind of like Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” , except not as effeminate. After saving my allowance for several weeks, I got to buy my cassette tape from Kmart (did they even have a Sam Goody or Tower back then?) Moe Dee was definitely my favorite rapper until I discovered KRS-One.
The album itself was definitely tight. The title track, “No Respect” and “Suckers” were my favorites. The album cover had Moe Dee standing in front of a jeep that had LL Cool J’s trademark Kangol hat underneath the tire. I can’t remember if this kicked off their feud, or just added to it, but I was definitely in the Kool Moe Dee camp. LL was the wild one, but Kool Moe Dee was too cool.
Which rap artist do you feel represents Hip-Hop to the fullest?
Most of the folks who regularly read my reviews probably already know my answer to this one. Without a doubt, it is the Teacher, KRS-One. His name is an acronym for Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone. Easily one of today’s the most deft and talented lyricists, he has taken rap music in a new direction almost every time he’s touched a microphone. Ever since his career started, he has been dedicated to the development of Hip-Hop, even in the face of much adversity. He’s been instrumental in the creation of organizations such as the ‘Stop the Violence’ Movement, H.E.A.L. (Human Education Against Lies), and most recently the Temple of Hip-Hop. No one on this planet better epitomizes the Hip-Hop experience.
What’s your favorite rap album and why are you feeling it?
My favorite rap album is The Score by the Fugees. Lauryn Hill, Pras, and Wyclef were almost flawless on that LP. It had different styles of rapping, great musicianship and production, terrific guest stars (the Outsidaz, John Forte), and L-Boogie absolutely nailed “Killing Me Softly with His Song” , one of the best covers I have ever heard. The Score is a piece of music history.
What are your hopes for the future of Hip-Hop?
Someone once said that ‘money is the root of all evil’. Boy, they weren’t kidding. Once corporations began to realize they could make money off of rap music and Hip-Hop culture, it was all over. Positivity, social and political awareness, intelligence, and eventually even talent all seemed to go the way of the dodo. Anything that couldn’t maximize profits in the least amount of time was out the window. Ice Cube said it best, “ ‘Self-Destruction’ don’t pay the f*ckin’ rent.’ As a result of this shift toward the corporate value system, companies and labels only focused on signing and marketing rappers who are spewing forth what the mainstream is willing to ingest, mindless, materialistic gangsterism.
The one thing that gives me hope, is seeing that conscious rap is finally making a comeback. The success of the recent offerings from Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Jurassic 5, and other positive artists in other genres (Bilal, Musiq, Jill Scott, india.arie, etc.) show record companies that awareness is marketable, and you can turn a profit from positivity. I hope that they continue to support this trend, and nurture artists who care about more than how shiny their jewels are and what they drive. Mos Def said it best, “Life is more than what your hands can grasp.”
Want to learn more about Hip-Hop or Hip-Hop Appreciation Week?
www.hiphoparea.com (in French)
www.daveyd.com
www.urbanthinktank.org
www.rapstation.com
This is my entry in the Hip-Hop Appreciation Week Write Off, hosted by me. This is an open write-off, so if anyone wants to contribute, please feel free. Be sure to check out the entries from these other talented participants:
gamblinfamily, LessThanNick1, churst, sfoster79, repulsemonkey, DVON, sXeJustin
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madtheory
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Location: Dallas,TX
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DON'T CALL IT A COMEB... wait. I guess you actually can call it a comeback.
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