The Neighborhood Enrichment Project Blog

Dear Hip-Hop

I might’ve failed to mention that this chick was creative

But once the man got you, well, he altered her native

Told her if she got an image and a gimmick

That she could make money and she did it like a dummy…

But I’ma take her back hoping that the sh** stop

Cause who I’m talking ‘bout y’all is hip hop

By Common “I Used To Love H.E.R (Resurrection, 1994)

Dear Hip-Hop,

What up. You’ve been on my mind a lot lately so I figured I’d take this opportunity to get some things off my…I mean share some things with you.

Sometimes I just sit back and reminisce. We were both introduced to the world around 1979, though it would be a few years later before I got to know you.  I remember meeting you briefly when we were both very young. It was while listening to “Jam On It” (by Newcleus, 1983) riding along with my father in his truck. You know, the song with the “Wikki-wikki-wikki-wikki” in the chorus. Over the next few years with songs like “Basketball” (Kurtis Blow) and “The Show” (Dougie Fresh and Slick Rick) you began to grab my attention.

A few years would pass but it was around 1989 when I decided that I wanted to get to know you better. A friend of mine brought me a dubbed tape of EPMD’s Unfinished Business album. That was the first time that I took you home with me to listen to you. I was impressed… and I wanted to hear more. So you introduced me to Public Enemy and N.W.A, and I saw a different side of you. Your confrontational side…and I wanted to hear more.

As the years passed by and we got older we both continued to mature. I’ll never forget when you introduced me to A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul… you showed me you had a conscious side. I found myself spending more and more time with you. I listened to you while getting ready for school in the morning and before going to bed at night. Every minute of the day I could steal away I’d spend it with you. Like when my mom would leave the car while running errands. I would pop Public Enemy into the tape deck and listen to the chaotic sounds of “Welcome to The Terrordome” and “Fight The Power.”

In the mid to late 1990’s our relationship grew stronger as I went through high school and college. I was captivated by your diversity. There was something for everyone no matter where you were from. There were artists like Common, The Fugees, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and The Roots… Biggie, 2 Pac, Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Big Pun, Busta Rhymes, and Jay-Z… Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dog… OutKast, UGK, Scarface, Master P, and The Goodie Mob…to name a very few. They were all rockin the Mic during the same era.

Those were the days…

Lately though, I’ve been feeling like maybe you’ve changed. Where has the diversity in your sound gone? Where has the creativity in your lyrics gone? I remember loving that Das EFX track  “bum stiggety bum stiggety bum hon” (They Want EFX, 1992). That song was crazy creative!

It seems like every time I turn the radio on these days I hear the same type of songs. The list is something like this:

-       How big a girl’s backside is.

-       How much money someone has.

-       How much dope someone has sold.

-       How many different ways someone can get shot.

-       What types of cars, jewelry, and clothes someone has.

I’m not mad that people are rapping about those things…this is America…you can say what you want. However I am upset that this type of music dominates radio, music videos, and Hip Hop popular culture. Did all the money and recognition impede your growth?

Like I said before you’ve changed…or, my bad, maybe it’s me.

Maybe I’m the one who has changed now that I really think about it. Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten older and my experiences have broadened my mind so now I just crave more. I guess I just figured that we would continue to grow together…just like we started growing together in the 80’s.  Am I crazy? Was I foolish to think that this would be the case?

Maybe I’m just confused.

I still listen to you with appreciation for who you are. I’m just a little more cautious now. I’m hesitant to give you as much attention as I did in the past. I’ve lowered my expectations.  But I’ll admit it…you do surprise me sometimes. When Lil Wayne dropped “A Milli” I caught glimpses of the days when you were hungry for success. Jay-Z keeps producing good if not great music and I heard Andre 3000 jump on a remix of a song recently and rip it!

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is…

I still love you. I love you because I see your potential. I see you one day using your cult like influence to make a positive impact in this world. I love your raw energy and passion. Everyone listens when you express yourself; whether it’s to clap or complain we all still listen. I like your realness. Like EF Hutton, when you talk people listen. You are a trendsetter.

You know what? I’m going to set my standards high. I know that you can reach them. There is an entire generation of youth that are dying to hear from your futuristic conscious side. That side that sparks a higher level of awareness. That side that will be the soundtrack to the movement of intelligence and higher thought which will enrich neighborhoods and stomp out mental, social, and economic poverty. We’ll call it Empowerment Music. You down?

Let’s Get It!!!!!

Posted up on The Corner writing,

Your Homie Scott Speed

www.TheNeighborhoodSpeaks.com

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