Trina
James 2
Brenton
Arkitekt
Cibbuano
Book of Chux
Marie-Claire
I am Hiphop
April 24th 2006 10:00
I am Hiphop.
What a profound statement.
When people ask what my background is, where I’m from and all that, I tell them where I was born and where I was raised, which is 2 different places. “So do you consider yourself this or that?”
I tell them, “I’m Hiphop.”
A lot of people don’t realise that Hiphop is a culture. It’s not all about bling, bitches ‘n hoes, pimps or 50 cent; it’s a lifestyle that includes (but is not limited to) the art forms of emceeing, deejaying, breaking and graffiti (known as the 4 pillars of Hiphop). It influences the way people talk (Ebonics), dress, and so forth.
“Rap is something you do, Hiphop is something you live…” – KRS-ONE
I had never heard of KRS-ONE until dude who documented him got in contact with me while he was staying in Sydney, asking to interview myself and a few others in the local Hiphop scene about our thoughts on Hiphop. I decided to read up on KRS-ONE and found a talented MC and philosopher (aren’t real MCs philosophers anyway?)
Now check this article and get educated.
“Swear ya Hiphop but don’t know Daddy Kane” – Missy Elliott
Most people get interested in aspects of Hiphop on a superficial level.
Some rap about sex, drugs and violence or being the best; others get on turntables and just wanna learn how to do the “wicka wicka” ‘ish. I talk about breaking and the general response is “oh that’s where guys spin on their heads right?” It’s more than that. People wanting to learn how to dance just wanna learn ‘tricks’ and moves that make them look cool and not interested in foundation, history and technique. I always tell people “learning tricks is for hoes so get educated or get naked.”
That’s right, get schooled or get pimped. I’ll hook you up.
It’s like how the ‘Queer Eye’ team set out to improve the lives of clueless straight men, except replace the gay guys with a young girl and straight men with the general public (mainly in Sydney).
Some people think, “but you’re not African-American, or from the ghettos of America, so how can you call yourself Hiphop?”
Then I ask them what their definition of Hiphop is. Let’s just say their response is not even worth remembering which is why I don’t remember it and if I did, I wouldn’t write it here and waste your time reading it with the possibility of making you dumber.
So apart from that, I’ll let you in on what’s going on in Hiphop on a regular basis. I’m not a guru of all things Hiphop; I still have so much to learn, and this will be an educational experience for both you and myself.
So... are YOU Hiphop?
What a profound statement.
When people ask what my background is, where I’m from and all that, I tell them where I was born and where I was raised, which is 2 different places. “So do you consider yourself this or that?”
I tell them, “I’m Hiphop.”
A lot of people don’t realise that Hiphop is a culture. It’s not all about bling, bitches ‘n hoes, pimps or 50 cent; it’s a lifestyle that includes (but is not limited to) the art forms of emceeing, deejaying, breaking and graffiti (known as the 4 pillars of Hiphop). It influences the way people talk (Ebonics), dress, and so forth.
“Rap is something you do, Hiphop is something you live…” – KRS-ONE
I had never heard of KRS-ONE until dude who documented him got in contact with me while he was staying in Sydney, asking to interview myself and a few others in the local Hiphop scene about our thoughts on Hiphop. I decided to read up on KRS-ONE and found a talented MC and philosopher (aren’t real MCs philosophers anyway?)
Now check this article and get educated.
“Swear ya Hiphop but don’t know Daddy Kane” – Missy Elliott
Most people get interested in aspects of Hiphop on a superficial level.
That’s right, get schooled or get pimped. I’ll hook you up.
It’s like how the ‘Queer Eye’ team set out to improve the lives of clueless straight men, except replace the gay guys with a young girl and straight men with the general public (mainly in Sydney).
Some people think, “but you’re not African-American, or from the ghettos of America, so how can you call yourself Hiphop?”
Then I ask them what their definition of Hiphop is. Let’s just say their response is not even worth remembering which is why I don’t remember it and if I did, I wouldn’t write it here and waste your time reading it with the possibility of making you dumber.
So apart from that, I’ll let you in on what’s going on in Hiphop on a regular basis. I’m not a guru of all things Hiphop; I still have so much to learn, and this will be an educational experience for both you and myself.
So... are YOU Hiphop?
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Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
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Hunt Famous
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Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Sara
Comment by Stanley
Comment by Scott
can you name some names? besides KRS-One
its cool to have another specialist music blog
Scott
Punk Blog
Comment by Trina
Hiphop
Confessions of a Serial Dancer
Competitions
Clubbing
I was writing a response to your questions then realised it was really long and detailed so I'll make it a post
Hiphop is a culture.
The main artforms in Hiphop are DJing, MCing (rapping), graffiti and breaking.
For example:
Like the Spanish have their flamenco dance, Hiphop has breaking (or what the media termed as 'breakdancing') and other Hiphop dance styles.
Like the Australians have their slang, so does Hiphop (Ebonics).
In Sydney, Hiphop is just a fad and there are very few who know what it's really all about. Let's change that.
You can check out Davey D's Hiphop History 101 for more detailed info coming straight from the pioneers of Hiphop.
Comment by Trina
Hiphop
Confessions of a Serial Dancer
Competitions
Clubbing
Yo Scott, there's a lotta talented MCs out there. Gotta say Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, and as a female I grew up inspired by Salt'n'Pepa. Even Eminem (past all the media BS there is real talent), Proof from D12 (R.I.P) , Cunninlynguists... so many to mention. There's also so much local talent like the Hilltop Hoods, Figgkidd and Asesino (one-time Australian Freestyle Champion).
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Talib Kweli is a social speaking rapper, but I can dig on Public Enemy. Fast and angry, boy...
Comment by cbay
jurassic 5
dilated peoples
common
the perceptionists
the procussions
gift of gab / blackalicious
and i know he hasnt done anything hiphop in a while but zack de la rocha inspires me. listen to all the rage against the machine stuff
http://www.marchofdeath.org/
on the more 'emo' kinda side of hiphop are people like
sage francis, and atmosphere. also check out saul williams.. kinda more spoken word type stuff.
and dont go past fort minor. maybe a lil on the mainstream spectrum but mr shinoda speaks some reality. check out the track 'cigarettes' its one of my favourites on the album.
cibbuano, for sheer insanity look out for ppl like kool keith, busdriver, or third sight.
thats off the top of my head.. peace
Comment by Scott
I'll listen to them and tell ya what I think
oh, man Zack de la Rocha is awesome - his stuff with Rage Against the Machine at least, i haven't heard any of his solo stuff
thanks again man
Scott
Punk Blog[/SIZE]
Comment by Anonymous
Something that i wanted to say as i've been reading down at people's comments and from my experience in sydney which is a fucking boring city when it comes to musical innovation... Hip-Hop has been at the forefront of musical innovation, popular music, and public conciousness for maybe 25 years... you'd think people would understand it by now. Hip-Hop, in it's purest form was never meant to be digested by anybody not wearing Hip-Hop's cultural goggles. That is why there are people like me who have spent so much time, energy, love and respect to understand it. Alot of Hip-Hop's Music is not "art". Alot of MCing is not Poetry. Graffiti (espesualy in sydney) is not "art". And Neather is Breakdancing. Or rather... not to be interpreted as art. Hip-Hop is the paint for an artists canvas.
Unless you can see the paint there's no picture. Of course there have been those who've painted masterpieces. but sadly (for them), many of those master pieces have been completely missed by the general public becuase they simply cannot see the painting.
The Other thing I wanted to mention for what it's worth is that it pains be to read the words "intelegent MC" and if somebody mentions it one more time i just might go psycho. You know MCing is hard, and a good preportion of the MC's that have made it to the top have made it because they are good at it. wheather you like the music or not. There IS legitimacy in some raps about heavy gold chains, and while i do find alot of it tedious to listen to sometimes, it's been around since the begining of hip-hop, in it's culture and also as a part in the universal culture of poverty. I can fully understand why people without, like listening about people who have alot. just like i can understand (as another reason that hip-hop has been so huge) how people with alot are interested in people without.
Maybe what i'm trying to say in all of this is that Hip-Hop is alot deeper than most people realise. I hear people say all the time that "I don't really like Hip-Hop..." which is bullshit! They just don't understand it.
Peace
Comment by Trina
Hiphop
Confessions of a Serial Dancer
Competitions
Clubbing
Pz.
Comment by Anonymous
I think anyone who actually understands hiphop would agree. hiphop evolved from the struggle, as a way where individuals could express themselves in an artistic form that was different to everything else at that time. The 'hiphop' we know today has become that 'everything else'...meaning it has lost its BALLS!
Anonymous hit it on the head with the statement 'hiphop is the paint for an artists canvas' however...the 'industry' only allows 1 color of paint to shine atm...that being green (for example as green = $ they make off the music).
I remember when i was 6 listening to NWA, my parents would always tell me to stop because of the 'foul language'. Will Smith said back then that 'parents just dont understand' which is what hiphop is too me...my generations voice, our chance to be individuals and create our own place in history.
Comment by Trina
Hiphop
Confessions of a Serial Dancer
Competitions
Clubbing
Comment by Optomistic Opportunism
Bohemian Hiphop
Japanese Jazz Funk
Optomystic Opportunism
Tit for tat.