Blog #2: Blog Topic

 

This is the cover art for "Keep Ya Head Up" by the artist Tupac Shakur. The cover art copyright is believed to belong to the label, Interscope Records, or the graphic artist(s).

“Through every dark night, there’s a bright day afterthat” (“Keep Ya Head Up,” 1993) - Tupac

 My blog topic will be about hip-hop culture and the black community. Hip-hop for me as always been more than just music, it’s been my voice, a mirror to reflect on, and on certain occasions, even therapy. I grew up in a household with a struggling single mother looking to make ends meet. I grew up in El Cajon, California. Hip-hop was the soundtrack to my life. I still remember riding around in my cousin’s beat up 1984 Toyota Corolla with the speakers blasting, listening to rappers speak about the situations that were happening in my neighborhood. I remember the first time listening to Tupac say things that made me feel like no matter what, there was hope in the struggle.

This is the cover art for Illmatic by the artist Nas. The cover art copyright is believed to belong to the label, Columbia Records, or the graphic artist(s).

 My connection to hip-hop started with my family. I’d visit my older cousins and chill in their room while they played music and broke down lyrics. I’d listen like I was in class. Nas’s Illmatic album hit me hard when I first listened to it. My first lyric on that album is “I never sleep, ‘cause sleep is the cousin of death” (“N.Y. State of Mind”, 1994). Lyrics like that made me realize how serious life can feel like when you’re just trying to survive. Those words that Nas spit weren’t just random words, they were real life stories. Stories that felt close. Those days shaped me to understand that hip-hop isn’t just entertainment, it’s a reflection of some people’s reality – like mine.

The hip-hop community is huge, and its everywhere. A true worldwide movement. Hip-hop as a community is bigger than just music, it’s MCs, DJs, producers, breakdancers, graffiti artists, fashion moguls, etc. You have people battling in underground cyphers, debating Top 5 lists online, rocking the latest streetwear, and even teaching university courses about hip-hop history. Biggie says it best, “Damn right I like the life I live, ‘cause I went from negative to positive’ (“Juicy”, 1994). The message showing that hip-hop is constantly pushing people to grow and make an impact both locally and globally.

Communities in hip-hop can be found on YouTube, Reddit, TikTok, and just about every social media that I know. I think I’ve even seen hip-hop stories trending on LinkedIn. Communities online are great because it gives access to many other liked-minded people, but nothing beat in-person connections. San Diego as a whole has great local venues for small shows, freestyle circles at the parks, and black barbershops where hip-hop is highly debated. The in-person connection is something I think everyone should experience at least once in their lives.

This is the cover art for GNX by the artist Kendrick Lamar. The cover art copyright is believed to belong to the label, PGLang and Interscope Records, or the graphic artist(s).

What I love most about this community is the passion. People care deeply. There’s a certain respect for artists’ lyricism, storytelling ability, and authenticity. We fans debate everything from new album drops, especially from the new school of artists like Kendrick, to dissecting lyrics, and arguing who really runs the game. And trust me, those debates can get pretty heated.  It’s all in good fun of course, encase there’s something in the community we have an understanding of. It’s what hip-hop is a shared experience. It sparks conversation, controversy, creativity, and change within us.

As I continue to blog about this topic, I’m going to continue to explore how hip-hop keeps on evolving. My new obsession is seeing how the culture balances entertainment with serious messages about social issues and identity. I’m also going to explore how different generations view hip-hop. I’m personally considered an “old head” because I grew up in the golden era of hip-hop – the 90s, but that doesn’t make me the most knowledgeable.

Hip-hop has never been just something I listen to, but who I am. This blog will give me a chance to break all that down, share my personal experiences, and connect with others who feel the same way.