Hip Hop:
Pronunciation:\ˈhip-ˌhäp\
Function:noun
Etymology: perhaps from 4hip + 1hop
Date: 1982
1: a subculture especially of inner-city youths who are typically devotees of rap music
2: the stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rap ; also : rap together with this music— hip–hop adjectiveAmerica is a beautiful shining beacon in the political landscape we call the World. Ever since 1776, we have been a land of opportunity and change. Rebels,... from the start and the epicenter of the greatest example of democracy ever perpetrated in the last 300 years of human existence. AMERICA.. the land of the free and the home of the brave. 305 Million people from different places around the world. Who would've thought that one day in the history of mankind... people would decided to live together in harmony. Now it ain't pretty all the tine nor is it perfect, but freedom and the ability to share with others of backgrounds different than yours... could only be described as a dream over 400 years ago.
Like many other countries we are home to many folk music, and some of the most loved in all the world. Blue Grass, Country, Rock & Roll, Blues, Jazz, and most recently Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop is not just a genre of popular American music, but a form of folk music that speaks to the American experience. Like all folk music, there is usually a message wrapped inside every song. It matters not how deep the message is, but it matters that the speaker has the opportunity to say it. Hip-Hop , like Jazz, Funk, Rock & Roll has its own culture.
"Culture can be defined as all the ways of life including arts, beliefs and institutions of a population that are passed down from generation to generation. Culture has been called "the way of life for an entire society."[3] As such, it includes codes of manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, games, norms of behavior such as law and morality, and systems of belief as well as the art."
Culture is made up of 5 different elements which are; Dance, Politics, Clothing, Music, and Art. Culture and the combining of the various elements contained in American society is beautiful. America, the melting pot of culture and social norms. America, which saw the beginning of integration on a mass level and the place where all the racial intolerance's have to be destroyed. The history of this music comes from parties and social gatherings in the Bronx area of New York City. This is where the community would get together on weekends or evenings and celebrate with a dee jay who would spin hits and pop favorites. The later development would be a rap element to the hip and hop of the beat. Later the technique of the turntablist would develop into a virtuoso level and become Scratching. After almost 40 years of existence Hip-Hop has still retained some of its original sting and pop. this music still has artist that make it there point to create danceable hits and while doing that remain a tool of the people and speak out about various injustices. Even though, this is not the popular sentiment among artist there are still many that hold the torch of individuality/rebellion that was present in Hip-Hop from the very beginning.
Hip-Hopcracy, .... is the politic commentary and movement that is part of the hip-hop culture specifically. Political commentary about the hip hop generation and its affect on the American political system is a hot topic these days. People are starting to realize that the music and culture is something that is shared among more than African-American audiences. This is the first music to has its beginning exposed to global audiences via TV and Internet. The audience encompasses such a huge variety of racial & cultural background, and sexual preferences. Hip-Hop is everyone and has a type or brand that fits you. It is one if the only forms of music that does not need to be fused with others in order to have elements of some many other forms. The foundation of Hip-Hop is the Sample, so... you can have anything present in a track just as long as it is hot. The politics of Hip-Hop are all about the youth movement in America. Political change or unrest typically comes from the youth movement just like Hip-Hop... is a youthful culture. You can see it in the fact that most hip-hop artist are under the age of 30 years old and their fame usually fades after the age of 35. Many artist find it hard to stay new and different, but this art form is about Change and being revolutionary. It is about technological advances i.e. turntables, pro tools, sampling, beat machines, etc.
Enter the 2008 presidential election where John McCain and Barack Obama were the republican and democratic nominees. From the beginning many knew that John McCain represented the Old Gard and Barack Obama represented, even though he is 47 years old, the state of the art and revolutionary change that must take place in America. The change that is needed for this country to survive in this new era of human existence. That is where the Hip- Hop political movement comes in. Youth, the young, the young people of America finally took a hold of the changes that happen in America. They stood up and instead of fighting the bureaucracy that is government, they became united and used it to their advantage. This is what Hip-Hop is all about. This music, we call Hip-Hop, like all other folk musics is about telling a story of the people. This folk story finally came to a head and we finally decided out of despearation,.. to do something about. This time we all decided to... face the music and stand up and vote our conscience.
This is the beginning of how Hip-Hop music changed the political climate of the world! Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Hip-Hopcracy...!!!!
