Today the Google Doodle tells us that 44 years ago Hip Hop music began. As with music styles that emerged in the past, this genre grew from a view of the world -- an epistemology if you will (likely with an ontological stance wound up in it). Music has been a platform to express ideas and emotions. Just as jazz, swing, rock, and country sprang from philosophical bases of the time, so has Hip Hop. The life experience of urban youth is the core of this genre that involves rebellion, social commentary and emotion wrapped in a different beat style. Over the decades several sub-genres have emerged, just as occurred with previous genres. The use of scratching and spoken word poetry are two interesting aspects of this music style. From this came break dancing and human beat boxes -- fascinating expressions of 'difference'.
Learning to decipher the lyrics takes some focus to those of us from the rock era <smile> but it can be worthwhile. The musical poetry reminds me of slam poets -- wonderful use of internal rhyme schemes and mixed meter. The selection for today carries a positive message about being who you are not what others expect you to be. The opening lyric states, "It's so hard to remain authentic." Later, the artist notes, "elevate, meditate, eliminate thoughts from my past - keep knocking upon my gate. Shouldn't let them in. The answer's not to debate." Insightful. The selection today is performed by an artist who was born 45 years ago -- a year older than Hip Hop music. Enjoy!
b-boy stance -- k-os
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