Not a history lesson

This blog isn't meant to be a history lesson. If a hip hop history lesson is what you want, great books are available, and so are OGs all over the country with a lot of stories. 

Can't Stop, Won't Stop, by Jeff Chang - Explains how early hip hop in the 70s (before it was known as "hip hop") emerged in the ghettos from the ashes of the Civil Rights movements in the 60s. CIVIL RIGHTS UNREST CONTINUED INTO THE 70s, in a stagflating nation where living standards in high-poverty urban communities were hit the worst, i.e. South Bronx, Philadelphia, Detroit, etc. This is a seminal work on the history of hip hop, a MUST READ for anyone in the 21st century. Or just subscribe to my blog, cuz I've read it. You should still read it too. If you've already read it (at least some of it), you can relate.

It's Bigger Than Hip Hop, by MK Asante - This 2008 book is written with a fresh style, and details the rise of the post-hip hop generation. That is, the growth and proliferation of hip hop OUT of the cities and into the suburbs, into other countries, into the media, into your wardrobe, into YOUR life, right now. Asante also connects hip hop with West African culture. What we think of as a 40-yr old culture actually goes back much further, as percussion and vocals (essentially rap), and dance, are ancient traditions, ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTS. Yeah, it gets deep, it's truly much greater than hip hop. "hip" means to know, it's a state of awareness. "hop" is a movement, like Lindy Hop. I highly recommend this book.

I offer another perspective, and I'm always open for a discussion/conversation about this great culture. I come from a perspective of A HIP HOPPING, WIT TALKING, FULL PASSION, BOWL CASHING, NEWS-LOVER AND UCLA ALUMNI. I AM A STUDENT OF HISTORY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, HIGHLY INTERESTED IN SCIENCE, NATURE, GOD, COMMUNITY, MUSIC, AND CURRENT EVENTS.