Digging Deeper...
Hip Hop has become universal. So universal that it has become widely accepted as a subculture among many countries. And the sad reality is, hip-hop still carries bad stereotypes. But remember, like any other culture, hip hop has its bad seeds and good seeds. An individual who embraces hip hop perceives hip hop differently compared to the next individual who embraces it another way.
Hip Hop to me has many positive aspects. Personally, I use the hip hop culture to go "digging" for the truth. The word "digging" is hip hop slang for when someone is searching for something rare. For example, DJ's use the word "digging" for when they are searching for a unique record or breakbeat. The whole "digging-for-the-truth" can be a political truth, financial truth, historical truth, and most importantly, our own self truth. And the list goes on... By using hip hop as a foundation for self exploration of truth, I am able to think about things differently. Hip Hop is, and always, will be about "digging" for that rare jewel whether its knowledge, enlightenment, or a new idea.
Hip Hop, also, allows us to rebel against what we have been taught and to question everything that comes before us. It is the voice of a disenchanted people. Unfortunately, some people see hip hop as a musical genre that raps about degradation of women, selling drugs, and idolatry of money. For the most part, the radio and television plays a major part in nourishing its negativity. Its easier to sell records which talk about partying in order for you to forget about your worries on a Friday night. Its also easier (actually more exciting) to see some sexy video chicks on a rap video than watching a rap video that shows the living conditions of a low income country. The reason being, many people after work rather play a passive role in society than an active role. This is why many people would rather listen to some superficial-no substance-nonsense-rap than to listen to some conscience rap that (God forbid) might actually make them "think".
The sad part about all of this, is that the rap portion of hip hop is just one part of the culture. Unfortunately, DJin', b-boyin (breakdancing for the pop culture folks), and graffiti usually takes the back burner (pun intended). These three aspects of hip hop, personally, make it worth continuing to fight against its already dumbed down perception. These aspects are powerful tools for societies' disenchanted people. It is a driving force for self expression in an uncertain world. Its creative and fun. Its competitive but unified. Most importantly, it makes us "think".
Hip hop makes us dig for more. Helps us to further push our potential even when we think we have no more potential left. It allows us to chase our dreams even though we already are living our dreams by just doing hip hop. Remember, NEVER let monetary value dictate your success. Furthermore, Hip hop is not all negative. Don't give up digging for the positive side of hip hop. Its out there definitely. Ya just gotta keep digging...
Hip Hop to me has many positive aspects. Personally, I use the hip hop culture to go "digging" for the truth. The word "digging" is hip hop slang for when someone is searching for something rare. For example, DJ's use the word "digging" for when they are searching for a unique record or breakbeat. The whole "digging-for-the-truth" can be a political truth, financial truth, historical truth, and most importantly, our own self truth. And the list goes on... By using hip hop as a foundation for self exploration of truth, I am able to think about things differently. Hip Hop is, and always, will be about "digging" for that rare jewel whether its knowledge, enlightenment, or a new idea.
Hip Hop, also, allows us to rebel against what we have been taught and to question everything that comes before us. It is the voice of a disenchanted people. Unfortunately, some people see hip hop as a musical genre that raps about degradation of women, selling drugs, and idolatry of money. For the most part, the radio and television plays a major part in nourishing its negativity. Its easier to sell records which talk about partying in order for you to forget about your worries on a Friday night. Its also easier (actually more exciting) to see some sexy video chicks on a rap video than watching a rap video that shows the living conditions of a low income country. The reason being, many people after work rather play a passive role in society than an active role. This is why many people would rather listen to some superficial-no substance-nonsense-rap than to listen to some conscience rap that (God forbid) might actually make them "think".
The sad part about all of this, is that the rap portion of hip hop is just one part of the culture. Unfortunately, DJin', b-boyin (breakdancing for the pop culture folks), and graffiti usually takes the back burner (pun intended). These three aspects of hip hop, personally, make it worth continuing to fight against its already dumbed down perception. These aspects are powerful tools for societies' disenchanted people. It is a driving force for self expression in an uncertain world. Its creative and fun. Its competitive but unified. Most importantly, it makes us "think".
Hip hop makes us dig for more. Helps us to further push our potential even when we think we have no more potential left. It allows us to chase our dreams even though we already are living our dreams by just doing hip hop. Remember, NEVER let monetary value dictate your success. Furthermore, Hip hop is not all negative. Don't give up digging for the positive side of hip hop. Its out there definitely. Ya just gotta keep digging...
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