Why I Love Hip Hop

Wednesday I watched the BET Hip Hop Awards and was impressed by what I saw. Performances were tasteful, awards were well deserved and it was only two hours. Interspered between the performances and awards, well known figures in the hip hop world and Black America gave monologues on why they love hip hop. Most memorable were MC Lyte and Michael Eric Dyson. These two challenged the emerging leaders to be responsible and give back. Gave young Black women advice on demanding respect with our voices and dollars. The awards show made me think about why I love hip hop, so here goes.

I was ten years old when the Sugarhill Gang recorded Rapper's Delight and I knew every word to that song. Then came Kurtis Blow, Whodini, Run DMC., and LL Cool J. and hip hop entered the mainstream. Back then lyrics were simple and somewhat comical. Afterall, Kurtis Blow talked about basketball, Whodini talked about friends and Run DMC set the trend for wearing unlaced Adidas. And who could forget LL's first rap ballard, I Need Love?! Hip hop was new, artists were expressing themselves in a new way and as a teen I loved it as much as the next person.

During my teen years, hip hop began to see the rise of subgenres. We had the political Public Enemy, KRS-One and Afrika Bambaataa, they urged us to fight the power and to stop the violence. Then NWA came out with what would ultimately define hip hop...gangster rap. Hip hop has been in the hot seat for quite some time, but the Don Imus incident intensified it and really brought it to the mainstream. It was time for the artists to take responsibility for the ruckus they helped create. And of course, they weren't going to take the blame for telling their side of the story.

In my quest to understand hip hop and this obsession with it, I began reading everything I could get my hands on and after reading arguments from both sides of the story, I have a newfound love and respect for hip hop and what it stands for. I may not agree with what they say and how it's said, but we cannot deny them the right to say it. As I began to read and listen to these artists, I realized what they say is no worse than what Ozzy Osbourne, Kiss and other rock bands promoted and sang of back in the day.

I caught an episode of Hip Hop vs. America on BET and realized these people are human and are only rapping and talking about life as they see it. I listened as these artists explained that many times the words they choose are out of frustration. They underscored the fact that all songs can't be happy go lucky because in their world, those days are far and few between.

So, I love hip hop for a variety of reasons. I love hip hop because you grew up with me, you express lifeas you see it...sometimes the truth hurts. I love hip hop because you set trends and have the power to change lives. You employ many, you inspire millions.

Books I read on the subject:

Beat, Rhymes, Life edited by Kenji Jasper and Ytasha Womack.

Third Coast by Roni Sarig.

Pimps Up, Hoes Down by T. Sharpley-Whiting.

When Chickenheads Come Home To Roost by Joan Morgan.

Ghettonation by Cora Daniels.

Also take a look at Hip Hop versus America on BET.