What is Hip-Hop?

The definition of Hip-Hop is a question that has been debated for some time. Particularly as the gap between its origins in New York City in the early 1970’s and modern Hip-Hop culture widens. Critics question the authenticity of new Hip-Hop artist. During the week, I was reading through a Hip-Hop forum called Davey D’s Hip-Hop Corner, and came across a particular letter to the editor. The author of this letter questioned the credibility of current Hip-Hop artists. He wrote

“...WHY do you give up so much space in the newsletters and on the website,
for bullshit-MC's like C-Bo, Ice Cube and Spice1 on the regular???
Their shit ain't real!!!”

“They just some entertainers that make hella money off the stupidity that
rap-consumers posess. Underground don't even check for that!!”

This cynical view of Hip-Hop culture is not unique to this particular genre. The Mainstream vs. Underground battle is evident in subcultures all over the world. What was more interesting in this case, was the response from others on the forum. The first point raised was the true definition of Hip-Hop, and what classified artist as being Hip-Hop. As one respondent questions, “Is it subject matter? Is it choice of beats? Is it based upon the reasons for them doing their music?” To say artist like Ice Cube are not Hip-Hop is completely unfounded. Just because you may not like or understand their style of music does not rule them out from being Hip-Hop. As Grandmaster Flash states, “For anybody to say 'this is not hip hop' or 'that is not hip hop' is wrong. That is not the way the formula was laid down.. It was for the people who were going to continue this to take anything...by all means necessary and string it along...”. The second point has to do with profiting off art. Artist are often labeled sell-outs when they sign record deals or venture into other forms of entertainment. However, Hip-Hop artist have always seeked the approval of their peers, whether that be “props” from the crowd or selling records. In the early 1970s, the same opportunities did not exist for Hip-Hop artists. Artist do not necessarily strive to ‘make-it-big’ in the mainstream, however, it is a side effect of popularity within the subculture. As the hype around a performer grows, the mainstream will eventually join in for the ride.

I will leave you with a definition of Hip-Hop from Afrika Bambaataa, a pioneer in the early Hip-Hop movement. “Hip Hop means the whole culture of the movement… when you talk about rap...Rap is part of the hip hop culture…The emceeing... The djaying is part of the hip-hop culture. The dressing the languages are all part of the hip hop culture. The break dancing the b-boys, b-girls… how you act, walk, look, talk are all part of hip hop culture… and the music is colorless.. Hip Hop music is made from Black, brown, yellow, red, white… whatever music that gives you the grunt.. that funk.. that groove or that beat.. It's all part of hip hop....”