Why Hip-Hop?

I oftentimes find out who’s hot in Hip-Hop music from the most up to date teen, tween, or twenty-something trend-follower. These De La-dubbed “brain washed followers” seemingly and instantly latch on and love anything new that he/she knows the mass populous has approved of. These flavors of the month rise from obscurity to instant and fleeting fame thanks to an ability (or stroke of luck) to catch onto the latest cash-cow formula and run with the fad before it flames out. A lot of the recent names buzzing on the viral and ringtone circuits have been head scratchers who I’ve never heard of and probably will never hear about ever again six months from today. Pop culture shelf lives are short and the trendy kids no longer talk about hit albums, merely hit singles. So if you really want to perplex these fickle fans and plaster puzzled looks on their faces, ask them why they enjoy the music of {insert name here}.

Can they break down the musicality of their favorite track’s rhythm or melody? Might they analyze and decipher the artist’s every lyric? Or do they simply give an answer that pertains to how cool the artist is or how catchy the tunes are?

It is easy to write off such replies and label the responders as immature and uninformed. We as Hip-Hop heads can attempt to educate or enlighten the intrigued minds, but cultivating real Hip-Hop fans has become a tougher task in today’s instant-delivery world. Everything we could possibly request is simultaneously available at our fingertips, but the data overload leaves heads spinning and us back at square one.

The massive mainstream sector of the populous doesn’t have the urge to delve into Hip-Hop culture. Hip-Hop is not a sacred art or way of life to many. Heck, a majority probably can’t rattle off the four elements that make up the culture; they might only be vaguely familiar with the musical genre. This music is a phase in some lives; others treat it like an annoying relative- okay to see sometimes but the presence gets old fast. When the hot-now Hip-Hop wears out its welcome, many will quickly tire of the craze being cramming down their throats and move onto the next fad.

Disco died because it was Soul-sucked Dance movie pegged to make a buck. No doubt, some great musicians and singers jumped onto the Disco bandwagon, but their motives probably didn’t include a deep-seeded need to express their feelings over dance breaks. (R&B, Jazz, and Soul acts that incorporated Disco into their songs basically wanted to evolve with the times and keep up with the Jacksons, so I’m not attempting to bury Disco artists. Hey, Marvin Gaye made some Disco records and I jam to Donna Summer, so I am a fan, ya dig.)

Various folks might say Hip-Hop is a modern-day Disco that is just longer lasting and refusing to die. But what Disco lacked was a sense of history behind the hit singles. Hip-Hop is rooted in the art and heart of the American urban. More recently, foreigners are grasping on and creating their own Hip-Hop cultures based on our model. Sure, Disco went global too, but that just included producers and singers hoping to top Billboard and be invited to Soul Train.

Those of us actively involved in Hip-Hop may feel obligated to represent ourselves as ambassadors of the music and culture. But not even Rakim himself could move most crowds in American today by preaching the merits of b-boying, graf writing, turntablism, beatboxing, freestyling, tagging, or emceeing. As pessimistic as I sound, Hip-Hop as we know it is NOT for everybody’s consumption. It does allow everyone equal footing to participate in the scene, but some just aren’t able to contribute. Rather than trying to sell it as commodity, we should cherish and hold close our creative outlet while it’s still OURS.

Let’s end on a positive note, shall we?

I never said why I love Hip-Hop. So, let me count the ways:

Could it be the…
-Pleasant and/or epic mood setting soundscapes that don’t require lyrics to convey emotion?

-Stories depicting economic or relationship struggles similar to what I’m facing?
-Footwork and power moves witnessed at a get together?

-Humorous tales involving everyday life and its wacky encounters?

-Latest mixtapes featuring exclusive verses from my favorites?

-Collections of fat marker tags and stickers on every venue’s bathroom walls?

-Goose bump inducing scratchmasters freaking the crossfaders?

-Neighborhood slang that expanded to worldwide vernacular and brought new meanings to words like ‘dope’ and ‘def’?
-Uplifting messages of hope- even in the most trying times?

-Masterful hands of a beat juggling vinyl junkie?

-B-boys and b-girls draped in the craziest and most colorful street fashions, but always accented with adidas?

-Drum machines producing the deepest basslines and hardest kicks?

-Biographical portrayals of comparable characters and their problems and triumphs?

-Colorfully bombed trains or walls illustrating every painter’s viewpoint on life?

-Ideological platforms for political or social improvement?

-Simple ‘back-in-the-day’ nostalgia?

-Reanimations of dusty loops or breaks from our parents’ record crates?

-Unity and sense of community the scene promotes?

YES!!!!