Spotted at the free show today in Central Park. When Kool Herc was doing his thing, cats around me were saying some disrespectful things e.g. get this guy outta here, next act please, etc. Seriously, is it unrealistic of me to ask that Hip-Hop fans know their history? They may not like the breaks Herc was spinning but at least acknowledge him for who he is. Is that too much to ask or am I just a dreamer?
thats why im damn grateful i was born -n raised in both golden eras, ignorant newjacks get on my nerves..
..If today’s youth had have developed a love for Hip-Hop through the early to mid and late 80′s lenses it would have been the norm to make sense of who and what it is that makes up the essential foundations of hip-hop culture past, with the elements still very much intact and as one and as a fun past-time it was what we did and lived daily – not to say it isn’t strong now by way of the ever strong underground movement – you naturally by way of “being down” made the choice to inherit it. B-Boying, spray can art, rapping, beat-boxing, Djing were the means through which we took part understood the scene and the art, the crafts that hip-hop’s fore bearers had first laid for us to contribute building on.Today, in stark complexion kids or “new jacks” as you say, have very little reason to care to be quite frank, its not entirely their fault, im sure a fair few wish they had witnessed the early days of hip-hop culture but unfortunately Cold Crush are not relevant in the grand scheme or as marketable as the latest iThingy or pop hit..so it seems. That sucks.
It’s unfortunate that the nature of today’s mass commercial consumption the plethora of disposable/usable information concerning latest trends, lifestyles (how to live them out),
the next hip big thing in contemporary black music culture, fails for us elders we’ve become disconnected and jaded because its not our game anymore the beats and rhymes don’t appeal to our old school/golden era hip-hop soaked ears. I happen to believe that hip-hop culture is still a youthful expression; though not exclusive of age. No matter how much i think it’s true fabric has been forgotten or excluded from the mainstream. Preservers of the old school generation are left feeling undermined, under-appreciated or disrespected even. And that sucks.
It’s a shame that youth expression these days largely – but not all – constitutes shallow swagger, glamor and glitz over the heart being in the right place, a sense of holding down tradition and uplifting the people through knowledge, peace, wisdom, original, creative and funky train of thought.
In 2010 it feels like Old school basic raw D.I.Y expressions i.e non-commissioned Graff or Djing with the 12″ record for example, no longer fit the structure of “cleaning up the streets” or of time-based modern urban technological advancements in society, we can blame change as much as capitalism. Furthermore, artists entering into the music game get younger by the months and years, who’s to blame?(see above) that they don’t instantly know or appreciate a artist possibly the same age as his/or her grand father, i guess it’s boring or old fashioned to the kids raised on popular culture, Eminem, Lil’Wayne and the like. I’ve personally witnessed hearing kids claim that certain old 80′s MC’s cant rhyme ie Eazy E for one.
Well, possibly the way information is sold, promoted and told by corporate powers with a stronghold on asserting “what’s hot” via the internet and television network media vessels, in a way very different to say even 10-15 years ago, owes much to the growing concern amongst the purists like me or you. Read G’s past link in relation to this point.
That’s my 2 cents of waffle.
Peace out