There’s a lot of talk these days about what is considered real hip hop music. Today’s music is considered to be a downward spiral of the genre…by some. There are artists, fans, and hip hop lovers on both sides of the argument. Is today’s music a natural progression of hip hop or is hip hop dead? The answer depends on your definition of hip hop.
Hip hop is not merely music, it is a culture. Its culture is not limited by race, gender, or nationality. Instead its culture encompasses a style of dress, a manner of talking, expressions of art, and the root of all evil – money. Anyone who places limitations on hip hop is doing the exact opposite of what hip hop stands for. Hip hop does not exclude differences it embraces them. This is how the culture has flourished and managed to not only remain relevant but come to rival rock and roll and pop music as the most influential music of today. So, what exactly is this culture that is so easily embraced by the young and simultaneously loved and hated by the old?
Hip hop is rhymes over a beat. This is one way to look at it. Many rappers are poets at heart. But instead of writing sonnets and haikus, in a traditional sense, these poets write to a beat. These rhymes can be beautiful, loving, and sweet or dark, gritty, and violent. These rhymes can be degrading, uplifting, simple, complex, insightful, ignorant, playful, serious and the list goes on and on. Hip hop music is an expression of the person delivering the music. This expression can be a result of direct or indirect experiences. It can be a reflection of history or the telling of one’s dreams. It can be truthful or dishonest. The expression itself ties back to the person delivering it. Everyone is different and so are their expressions. If the exact same sound came from every rapper or producer then it wouldn’t be hip hop. If the music sounds the exact same way in 2009 that it did in 1989 then it wouldn’t be hip hop. Life goes on and with that comes change. If hip hop did not evolve and change with the times only then would it be dead.
Hip hop is art. This art comes in both visual and audio forms. Some consider hip hop music to be noise while others view it as a precious art that must be preserved. Some consider graffiti to be vandalism while others view it as street art. Hip hop is an art that that takes on different meanings in the eyes of the beholder. Is this not the true definition of art?
Hip hop is a style of dress. Baggy pants, big shirts, big earrings, jewelry, and loud colors have all been associated with hip hop style. But so have tuxedoes, couture fashion, and classiness. Hip hop can be street as well as upscale. Hip hop can be professional yet casual. Hip hop apparel is indicative of what you are feeling at the moment. It does not have to follow the crowd.
Hip hop language can be considered slang. Its prevalence spawned the creation of an urban dictionary, so some may disagree. Hip hop language is not only the words used but the manner in which they are used. You can speak proper English yet speak in a manner that gives the words a totally different meaning. This language is recycled yet ever changing.
Along with the popularity of hip hop came money. The desire of money has motivated individuals to express themselves to receive riches. Some see this as the downfall of hip hop; but is this not the true expression of that person? People work to live. If you were not getting paid, you would not work, you would volunteer. If you are building a career in hip hop you expect to get paid for your work. If your work is extremely popular, you expect a lot of money. It’s that simple. Greed is a part of society, so why do we not expect it to be a part of hip hop?
Is hip hop dead? No. Is it dying? No. Hip hop is changing along with the world. Change is difficult to accept for some, but it must happen. There is no progression without change. Do you have to like everything? No. But, we all should respect what we all have to offer. Those differences are what makes hip hop special.
Here’s a piece of my mind. Let me hear your two cents.
