Hip Hop Bubble Popped

When I learned of my new found love for Hip Hop last semester, I decided to take POL 246 to satisfy my Poli Sci minor and my hunger to learn more. 

We’ve been going through the beginnings of Hip Hop so far and I’m learning so much I did not anticipate. We’ve been reading a book focusing on the Latino contributions to Hip Hop and it’s quite fascinating because in the mainstream they’re never really considered and their history never really touched upon. Which, according to history, is due to their color of skin and not being easily identifiable with the blacks in the game. That was a shocker to me because I assumed minorities in general could come and go as they please because Hip Hop as a social movement inspired to be one’s self. 

There was a KRS-One lecture on the first 40 years of Hip Hop that was included in a week’s module and it was so inspiring because he grew up in, repped, and immersed himself in it. He talked about the rhythm that went through the Bronx and how it went through him and initiated change. The earliest individuals who started the movement spoke about change and wanted to spread, in KRS-One’s words, “peace, love, unity and having fun.” 

In a discussion board we had to talk about the current state of Hip Hop juxtaposed to what it meant when it started. I had a tough time answering it because I have so much to say, but how do I condense that into a discussion post which is not going to give me extra points for well thought out lengths. One of my fallbacks is not wanting to write too much, and not writing what I want to truly write or rather have a full blown conversation about. I didn’t put my best foot forward and I wish I did because I could’ve added some real insight to the growing conversation, but something had to be submitted before midnight; true, it’s my fault I should’ve been more proactive.