'Know this. It was the lack of money and other resources that caused Hip Hop to exist. Hip Hop existed outside of the mainstream and its validations. Hip Hop was what WE did independent of the World's value systems. Hip Hop was (and still is) our only salvation. Hip Hop is what saved us - nothing else!' (The Gospel of Hip-Hop, p. 35)
Big Claim! I believe Hip Hop is a positive movement that has little to do with the mainstream garbage that gets assigned the label of Rap or Hip Hop. But mad heads be hating on Hip Hop today: they see it as destructive, hyper-materialistic, even oppressive. Yet, as the quote above shows, there are many who see Hip Hop as a life-affirming movement, offering therapy (even hope?) to the disillusioned. Here are two opposing articles to consider...
In response to these articles, I would say, although there is a need for positive messages, Hip Hop needs room to get down and dirty with life. Not just for those listening to feel a sense of comfort and solidarity with the reality-raps, but for the emcees themselves, who find therapy for their angst through the words they spit. This is part of what KRS-ONE means when he says 'Hip Hop is what saved us.'
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