There are many who claim to be hip hop experts, aficionados, and such but how many
actually speak on November as Hip Hop History month. Yes it was officially adopted by
Senator Pedro Espada Jr. of the 32nd Senate District, in the State of New York, 2002
(resolution J6602). The Hip Hop culture has seen many changes, experienced global growth,
and has affected the business world tremendously since it's start in the early 70's. There are
far too many DJ's, emcees, artists, managers, producers, and dancers to name who have participated
in Hip Hop from then until now for better and sometimes worse. Keep in mind that's a short list of
functions in the craft. The beauty of celebrating Hip Hop for this month is getting an education and
discovering some things you may not have known. Also, reminiscing about the people, songs,
events, and moments that have affected our lives due to Hip Hop is a great thing.
I will leave that up to your judgement. November is Hip Hop history month....just thought
I'd remind y'all.
Here's a brief history on Hip Hop:
The official birthday of Hip Hop is November 12th, 1974. In the early years of the culture, the movement
went untitled until Afrika Bambaataa, started calling it "Hip Hop", a term originated by Lovebug Starski.
In the 70's, ten years prior to it's gaining global recognition, Hip Hop was a celebration of life gradually
developing each of it's elements to form a cultural movement. Due to it's energy, dynamics, and momentum,
Hip Hop culture has become, ultimately, a key to upliftment and reformation, as well as a billion-dollar
industry. From the 80's on, the Rap industry and media have helped to make the terms "Hip Hop"
and "Rap" synonymous, leaving out the other elements included in the culture. In light of this
enormous oversight, the Zulu Nation promotes the "5th element" of Hip Hop, which is KNOWLEDGE,
and actively tries to educate the masses about the history and foundational elements of true Hip Hop
culture. Bambaataa declared: "When we made Hip Hop, we made it hoping it would be about peace,
love, unity and having fun so that people could get away from the negativity that was plaguing
our streets (gang violence, drug abuse, self hate, violence among those of African and Latino
descent). Even though this negativity still happens here and there, as the culture progresses, we
play a big role in conflict resolution and enforcing positivity."
The Elements: Hip Hop culture is defined as a movement which is expressed through various
artistic mediums which we call "elements". The main elements are known as MC'ing (Rapping),
DJ'ing, WRITING (Aerosol Art), SEVERAL DANCE FORMS (which include Breaking, Up-Rocking,
Popping, and Locking) and the element which holds the rest together: KNOWLEDGE. There are
also other elements such as Vocal Percussion/Beat Boxing, Fashion, etc. Within the past 20
years, Hip-Hop culture has greatly influenced the entertainment world with its creative
contributions in music, dance, art, poetry, and fashion.
You can find more at: http://www.zulunation.com/hip_hop_history_2.htm