Hip Hop...
Yes, I know. The second your mind registers the two words it probably conjures up raunchy imagery of half-naked women, blinged out brothers with vulgar tongues and a temperament that points to nothing but pure anger.
So the question is - is this the Hip Hop that has forever been around? and If not, where have all the real rappers gone?
Well before we get into it, let's get rid of some background knowledge first.
Hip Hop as we know came about in the 70's as an alternative to the gang life that was rife within local New York neighbourhoods, the Bronx in particular.
DJ's would play records on turntables at what were known as 'Block Parties'. The MC later came aboard and played the part as a sort of hype man who would jump on a microphone and throw out little phrases such as : "C'mon Y'all" or "Everybody clap your hands" which served as a energiser to keep the party-goers grooving.
So yes, essentially, Hip Hop was a culture that was primarily intended to bring people together and eradicating the need for gangsterism.
It found its identity in the distinct clothing that was worn, the DJ who would later develop special techniques through 'scratching' on records and the MC who today we know as the rap artist.
More elements that came about were the more artistic expressions of Graffiti which involved producing artwork on walls using nothing more than an aerosol-can, as well as the dance aspect known as Breakdancing.
Hip Hop sought to be that sense of freedom and unity that was found in the midst of oppression. and yes, for young folk like myself, it had a degree of coolness to it.
In today's MTV generation, however, we have seen a huge shift from the down to earth art form of back then.
The primary themes among most rap songs today are the tried and tested ones of Sex, Alcohol, Violence, and Self-glorification.
As a hip hop lover myself, it really has saddened me to see this art form 'evolve' into some self-righteous money game run by billboard charts.
Good rap music is hard to come by nowadays and I find myself hunting the internet for some 'underground artist' bold enough to rap about his own life story that can stimulate my mental sphere and feed me with something filled with substance.
bI am therefore both relieved and grateful to have come across artists like Public Enemy, Blu & Exile, Theory Hazit and Immortal Technique in my short lifetime who have been the proof that one can still gain a mass international following without sacrificing your higher consciousness. I can understand that for many other artists, however, rap is all that they've known and it has therefore become the source of their daily bread. For this reason, they have had to switch up their styles, subdue their levels of consciousness and provide the masses with 'what they want'. In light of this, however, I still firm believe that if your idea of true happiness lies not in the things of this world, you'll leave this world a happy man.
Hip Hop lacks that today - in fact - our entire modern society lacks that. Yeah sure, the arguement comes rushing forward that we have evolved and its time to 'get with the new school',and as much as i acknowledge that point of view, I still can't help but come to the conclusion that the only evolving we have done as a society is the stripping of our individuality and embarking on a road trip of rapping for the record deal.
This post is probably one that will gain a big round of disfavour due its subjective opinion. But truth is, a natural bias is something that will forever be entrenched in all of us. As a Christian, I am a firm believer in the value of using your talents for the better and within the context of rap, i think this is best exemplified by artists who realise their inherent fallen state, their search for a purpose, and the acknowledgement of a creator who delivered unto a society a moral code so that we may live in the fullness as the people we were destined to be. (the concept of being real for the headz out there)
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With that said, it is also the nature of a Christian to walk this life in humility, love and realise that none of us are perfect. A daily prayer is needed for corporates and other organisations to start pumping more funds into this conscious aspect of hip hop that yearns for a platform in which they may gain further exposure, because for most of us, MTV Base will be the only rap we will ever know and inevitably seek to emulate.
This post seeks to unravel more than the question of Real Hip Hop, but rather the consciousness that the modern society has adopted in general. Whether we delve into questions of governance, international relations or the human self, it'll do us a whole lot of good if we saw beyond material wealth and personal interests - in my humble opinion. This post could probably go on for days, but comments would be most appreciated so I myself can gain further insight into this contentious issue.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33
Peace
J
