The Origins of Hip-Hop: Knowledge is Power

by Brittany Hill

Less than a month in this hip hop class and I have found myself already with an everlasting life lesson. Never be judgmental of that which you honestly know nothing about. Knowing the background of something has an extreme impact on your outlook and perspective. In the world of hip hop, it is almost pertinent that you know the background to really appreciate it all. At first glance you may find it all to be overwhelming and somewhat distasteful. You are able to appreciate the message you are being giving, because you have already made up your originated from some sense.

In module three of my rhetoric of hip hop class, I found myself marveled at the lecture presented to us. The lecture was on graffiti. Now how can a person be marveled at something you can find on the side of a dumpster? Because the message and information graffiti relays is just simply marvelous. To know that elements and styles of writing such as alliteration and puns can be implemented in something viewed as vandalism is more the ironic. I can honestly say I can now view it as art. There is more to it than just a person attempting to “destroy” the side of a building or a train cart. This person has a message to deliver. To know what time and effort it took to deliver and portray a message to the world should definitely be appreciated. Some people feel that as your “average Joe” walking down the street, their voice may never be heard. I think graffiti is a creative way to be heard.

When speaking on the discourse of hip hop which came to be one of the topics in this modules discussion, I honestly do feel it would be different if people knew its origins. Lack of knowledge on a particular subject matter often tends to lead to a lack of interest when the subject presents itself. If you feel you can't relate to something or do not even really know how much it really does relate to you, you tend to turn the other cheek. This always seems to be the easiest solution when dealing with the unknown. Knowing the origins of hip hop, or any other content of that matter such as graffiti, allows one to be more appreciative and understanding. They will approach it with a sense of familiarity rather than a sense of fear. Approaching something in a familiar sense allows them to have a better view of the positive within it rather than just the negatives. I can honestly say that through taking this course, the positives of it all are really starting to pour through. So I shall continue to let them in.