I AM HIP HOP!! This is a phrase that is very much
used in the Hip Hop Culture. This phrase is so complex it can now be found on
clothing. But when you see or hear this phrase what do you think? Do you think
of the age old question “where did hip
hop begin?”, or do you think of the somewhat problematic question such as
to be an innovator of hip hop or be a child of this wonderful culture, do I have to be black? These are a few
things that come to my head but honestly, I don’t believe that to be in love
with hip hop or want to study hip hop you have to be black. A lot of people say
that Hip Hop is based from the black culture because of all the innovations and
ways we have grew from the 1920s to current time. But I don’t think it is fair
to say that only African Americans listen to rap, because if that’s the case we
wouldn’t have rappers like Eminem, who will soon become a legend due to his
lyrical capability. Other rappers such as Mac Miller, and Yella Wolf wouldn’t
have been inspired so they can become known also. Although I do think it is
safe to say that African Americans did start the transition of music from jazz,
race music, and blues, all the way to what we all now love which is R&B and
Hip Hop. I think the specifics of how people identify the stereotypes of how
BLACKNESS and HIP HOP is intertwined because of how blacks originated and
embodied a lot of gestures which is what we call SWAG.
