$Hip Hop Currency$. Written by Ryland Root.
Raw Hip Hop Headz.
Hip Hop is a culture, a genre of music that has stemmed from a plethora of influences, and it is also very influential within our society today. Just as any genre of music has it’s vital points of interest, Hip Hop has always been perceived by the masses as very “distinct,” and has been uniquely segregated by the general public. What I want to talk about in this piece and for you to personally perceive, analyze, and join in discussion is how Hip Hop has evolved over the last 40 years. I want to address these directional changes, how they have taken place, what they have grown into, and what we know as Hip Hop today.
Hip Hop has a very direct lineage to what many say started in The Bronx, specifically inside that of a small apartment building on 1420 Sedgewick Avenue. This is where a small righteously independent group of intelligent youth took control of their unfortunately stagnant environment of poverty stricken ignorance. In this, they used their environment to shape a culture and did it in a positively expressive form. Through style, DJ’s, break dancing, graffiti, and a competitive spirit, Hip Hop evolved into something new.
Some say it does not have a lineage at all, and that it simply is a continuous flux of trends, fashion, topic theme, and only an image it represents. I think that is wrong. I believe Hip Hop does have a lineage-sure I do, but I also believe that origin does not stem from one direct location. It is in our blood. Music has always been apart of our genetic DNA, with our hearts naturally pumping to an instinctual rhythmic beat.
Hip Hop’s first real radical transformation was when the producers at the time began losing success with the nightly party, dance-hall type style, venues that they were used to playing. Their were some DJ’s left, grasping for straws as the late disco era had come to a violent crash. This is where things got interesting. Some found success in the new sampling trends and ability to utilize beat machines, and some failed, just as the tree of music continued to grow, like a leaf they were stripped of their own branch. This is the circle of life, right? Maybe some call it hip hop Darwinism.
Thus, the “Golden Age” was born, and is what many “OG” Hip Hop fans consider the most important era. During this time, one of the definitive characteristics and aspects of this new style was the use of sampling different beats from an infinite and growing selection of sounds. (As I stare at my MPC I feel goose bumps). This gave birth to a completely new breed of producers, allowing them to experiment, hone, and perfect a new range of talents. Once again spawning from the environment in which they survived within, the Hip Hop also began to take on a very relatable approach to its listeners.
When Public Enemy started releasing extremely politically influenced material, invasively stating that they hated multiple points of the government, and calling out the corruption of our leaders, it had a very militant type of way of speaking to their listeners. This scared the sheep of society. This was something to worry about! Of course, this was not the case as it was a beautiful, yet intense form of expression and individual protest, showing the human soul and spirit can exist in the rarest of forms.
This is seldom seen today.
Today we have grown into a type of materialistic glorification; auto tuned to the masses ignorant state, corporately induced by the media driven investors, and has created a collection of persona and facades. Not only has a lack of lyrical ability begun to shape. Where the sheep like masses have accepted this fact- the true fans of Hip Hop constantly argue this is a problem, and that the “Golden Era” needs to be recognized as a steadily important influence.
I think when people say this, they are addressing their problems with certain factors of this current state. Whether that be glorifying gun violence; where we have rappers today like Slim Jesus, someone who has personally stated on camera that is “ignorant,” and that he does not participate in any sort of the acts that his songs lyrically portray otherwise. Whether toting guns and spewing off-beat lyrics, referencing that of killing, gang affiliation, and selling drugs, it is simply wrong. In this, people like him are literally profiting off a façade of a character in which they sadly created.
I feel the current state of Hip Hop is at multiple forks in the road, with an assortment of directions it can take. It is in a transitional phase to say the least and while some say “Hip Hop Is Dead,” I must disagree vehemently, and say that Hip Hop is only going through a new birth of change, once again-but a very dynamic one. Despite some do not enjoy the type of productions, layered synthesizers, auto-tuned voices, and the influence it yields currently, we all know the health of Hip Hop is alive and well. To further this, the underground thrives more than ever, with emcees striving to get their name known, their lyrical ability addressed, touring across the nation to showcase their talents.
To shine a small bit’ of light on this, I look at the example of battle rap. Where battling was a staple in Hip Hop before, it is on the rise again, and in a massively new shape. Venues and investors are coming together to sponsor events, battlers, and make sure that it continues to thrive. This is actually launching careers of people whom never had the chance before but because of Hip Hop, they have opportunity to escape their environment, and succeed. Companies and investors are not only going for the throat of their artist but now invest in the talent they have to offer. This is pure progression!
Hip Hop may not be what it was in the late 80’s-90’s, in fact it is mind blowing how different it is. In the current state of where we are today, we have a million more ways of utilizing our voice and expression, to create a message, to protest, to scream for change, but we also must adapt and grow alongside this giant, cosmically driven, explosion of true talent.
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