The document argues that hip-hop is not dead through a series of quotes and images. It references how hip-hop remains meaningful for many young people today despite attempts to exploit, belittle, numb, and analyze it. One quote states that hip-hop is "a clarion call, a cry of 'I am' from the youth of the world" and that we should start paying attention to its importance. The document uses various images to encourage open-minded reflection on hip-hop and convey that it remains culturally significant.
1. Hip-Hop is not Dead
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hillaryraindeer/3208347099/sizes/l/in/photos
2. ''O you of little faith,
why do you doubt me?''
Matthew 1 4:31
http://www.flickr.com/photos/proimos/4199675334/sizes/o/in/photostream/
3. Killer Steez
“To many of my generation, despite all attempts to exploit it, belittle
it, numb it, classify it, and analyze it, hip-hop remains an enigma, a
clarion call, a cry of "I am" from the youth of the world. We'd be
wise, I suppose, to start paying attention.” - James McBride,
National Geographic
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cubmundo/6182370961/sizes/l/in/photostream/
This is my title slide, where I draw the audience in with a broad statement that they may or may not agree with. Then I expand on my point, which is how hip-hop hasn’t died off, but merely shifted from just music to a lifestyle or culture.\n
what is people doubt, doubt others, doubt themselves, doubt that positive outcomes. Will describe the people I know and have met who do not like hip hop and will point out that the attitudes are substantially different from those I know that are involved in the culture.\n
“Steez” is style with ease, and seems like a confident, or cocky attitude has been introduced to the youth of the world. Call it swagger, or annoying either way it’s here. From Hip Hop Planet article (McBride, 2007). What could be, well people are creatures of influence. Not just with speech but way we carry ourselves, more uplifting, positive music you get caught up in, more positive you become subconciously. \n
Then I am going to open with how Hip-Hop has incorporated the sides of buildings, and spray paint into the world of “Fine Art”. What once was, and in some areas still is considered vandalism, but talk about how some local business owner’s in my area went from pressing charges to paying people to “tag” (as it’s called by graffiti artists) their buildings, because it’s attractive adds a realness to their business that’s appealing to younger people.\n
Art’s not the only medium that has been influenced by Hip-Hop. Since it’s inception sneakers have become more popular and some consider it “wearable art.” Nike has come out with it’s “Air Force Ones”, Timberland/Lugz Boots, Flat Bill baseball hats, and not just what you wear, but how you wear it. Whether it’s sagging your pants, or skinny jeans, or if you wear big tee shirts, or Polos. All set by Hip-Hop.\n
This is where I engage and ask the audience if they still don’t believe that hip hop is not dead?\n
To ask themselves one question...\n
This is when I show some examples of slang and the language shift, and it’s also affected our speech, people use slang sometimes without even knowing it.\n
Speech isn’t the only part of our subconscious that has been altered, outside of a professional setting, or maybe even in some businesses, the handshake seems like something that has been phased out of everyday life. Enter the fist pound.\n
here’s where I share a quote from a rap song titled “Hip Hop is Dead” by Nas. Showing that a lot of people, including industry tycoons believe it’s been dead representing the “what is”.\n
This is where I ask people to try and look at the the big picture take in the whole culture, and themselves if they feel hip hop is dead, or has it been re-invented?\n
I tell them to hold their opinion, for a little longer.\n
Going to share past experience where a people I’ve tried to talk to about this topic shut me down, they summed everything they thought about hip hop was dead, but only in regards to “rap” music.\n
Then I ask the audience to think strictly about everyday life, a corner they drive pass, the shoes they wear, the last time they bumped fist with a friend. That’s when I ask again “still think it’s dead?”\n
This is when I tell a humorous story about my big brother, who has the same opinion as me about hip hop he talks the talk, walks the walk, wears the clothes, and all around lives the culture because he loves it, but cannot stand the music aspect. Funny? I know, but I love him and his confused mind.\n
Now I ask the audience to think about any other genre, and I ask them not to think about the music, but ask them to think about the culture, sure some do have their own style, and speech, what about the handshakes, or the art?\n
Right before I finish up.\n
I ask the audience to disregard everything I’ve covered about the hip hop culture just for a second.\n
To think about the people, and discuss how hip hop’s culture has brought people together more than any other genre or lifestyle involved with said genre.\n
Would that unity derived from hip-hop still be there if not for it’s inception.\n
