Old School Scholar

During the mid 1980s when B-Boying was being commercially pimped, the world was exposed to the legendary New York City Breakers and The Rock Steady Crew. Unknowingly, these two B-Boy crews were internationally evangelized Hip Hop’s dance form and culture, and thanks to the international community B-Boying never died. If you were really paying attention to Hip Hop culture on the outside looking in, the international community is who is saving it now.

I’m sure you’ve heard the term before; Alternative Hip Hop. What a funny name. I thought Hip Hop music had no bounderies or guidelines. I thought Hip Hop music was composed of a conglomerate of influences blended to create a unique sound.

For those not familiar, minstrel shows were theatrical skits that portrayed African Americans as cartoonish stereotypes. You know; lazy, uneducated, inarticulate, watermelon, fried chicken, yada yada yada. The characters were either played by Caucasian or Black actors in black face. White audiences in the 1800’s to early 1900’s were greatly entertained by them. Mainstream America [...]

What is Hip Hop? There are a lot of different answers, depending on who you ask. Before I give my definition, let me start with what isn’t Hip Hop: Gangstas, Pimps, Hustlers, Drug Dealers. Basically, all the negative stigmas of urban life glorified in today’s rap music. It’s downright insulting to call the rap (or crap) music of the last few years Hip Hop. The early foundations of Hip Hop culture were built on the desire to escape the dreary existence of street life.