September 2005

Hiphop For Sale?

Peace and much love to the local music scene. This issue, in order to continue encouraging positive attitude and influence, I’m going to expound on this summer’s article titled ‘Hiphop Appreciation’. I present these ideas as a sincere observation on the state of Hiphop Kulture its definition and its effects down to the local level.

True Hiphop empowers people to believe in themselves beyond whatever limitation they might find themselves in. True Hiphop is not music. It is an international kulture for peace and prosperity. It is a lifestyle, a state of mind, and a way to view the world. It is the name of our collective consciousness, which has manifested Breakin (Breakdancing), Emceein (Rap), Graffiti Art, DeeJayin, Beatboxin, Street Fashion, Street Language, Street Knowledge and Street Entrepreneurialism (fair trade and business management). For this reason, we spell “Hiphop” with a capital “H”, for it is the title of our collective consciousness. To spell Hiphop with a small “h” and then to equate it exclusively with Rap music product is to literally reduce the very souls of our people to marketable items.

We know that the Hiphop Kulture must have the ability and authority to effectively destroy the commercialization of Hiphop Kulture; but we also know that so many of our people depend upon this very system of kultural disrespect and exploitation for their livelihood. Those who do not study economics, sociology, politics, history and the like are blind to how unrestrained free market capitalists exploit the very essence and resources of indigenous people until they are of no more use, at which point they are ignored, imprisoned or killed. True Hiphop is about respect and admiration for our ancestors.

From the beginning, this has been Hiphop’s shining vision for itself. However, mis-educated and desperately impoverished youth can only see Hiphop as a means of feeding, clothing and sheltering themselves. They do not have the luxury of time to consider their role as responsible adults working toward the realization of freedom and justice for all. Little hope let alone thought for the future, no respect for or knowledge of the past and no desire for a principled life is excessively limiting. Their future, their children’s future and the future of the nation they live in is not a part of their thought process. This is hip-hop. Still in all, hip-hop is not totally destructive to our kulture, nor does it stop the vibrancy of true Hiphop Kulture. In fact, Hiphoppas, Rap artists and corporations that participate in hip-hop do not last, nor do they inherit the Health, Love, Awareness and Wealth necessary for a life in peace.

The real crime with hip-hop is that it undermines the strength of all nations that depend upon their youth for existence and longevity. We now live in an age where information does not come exclusively from standard educational institutions. People are learning about other cultures through the television, radio, Internet, and print media. Therefore, when one group of people, such as Hiphoppas, are portrayed as exclusively immature, irresponsible and in most cases criminal by these new educational media outlets, not only do we promote disrespect amongst ourselves, we show other cultures just how weak we really are.

If the world judges the United States based on its television programming, at what time does the world see responsible, informed and politically active American youth? At what time can the world “tune in” to see Hiphoppas acting in a mature and sensitive way toward world issues? Not just one or two videos about starving regions of the world, or “let’s just come together y’all” type videos. But instead, active and responsible international dialogs on world freedom, peace and unity. In this age, all must come to the realization that the unconstructive and disrespectful exploitation of a nation’s youth can only lead to that nation’s self destruction. That is why support of true Hiphop Kulture can and will positively affect our youth our future and the future of all cultural relations.

...Now That's Theskini!::permalink


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