A Specialised Artform's Struggle
February 18th 2008 07:20
In most cases, it happens thick and fast. From impressionism to the blues, specialised artforms have been implemented, taught and passed on through generations - never losing its roots.
And then there was hiphop. Much like the blues, it has expanded across racial and oceanic divides, and spawned life into (and sometimes refreshing) other genres. Krumping, gospel, gangsta rap, RnB, they've all been touched by the universal hand of hiphop.
It all started with b-boys breaking to a funky 12" in 1976, spun by an in house DJ by the name of Kool Herc. Some would say it goes further back to when vandalism became graffiti which I believe was some time in the early 1960's. Others would say it started in 1981 when Run DMC and the movie 'Flashdance' came out - giving it an undeniable appeal to teenagers looking for something fresh to do in their spare time.
Due to varying points of view, the artform can be seen as somewhat bastardised. One thing is obvious: in each case, there were a whole heap of students looking to follow in the footsteps of the teacher, or originator.
Now where could we find this originator?
"He's underground, man. Good luck to ya."
Oh.
So out of the woodwork came a whole heap of Djs, MCs, Graffers and b-boys - some who saw the light passed on to them, others who caught a flicker and took it their own way. Since it was never part of popular culture, it was and still is considered a specialised artform. And considering the lack of attention and money paid to the industry (or community if you like), it can be a struggle to survive as a hiphop purist. In the past odd-30 years, the hiphop tree has grown, but not to its full potential.
And it has had alot of time to do so. Its seems like rock, pop, and dance music will forever overshadow hiphop - such a thing wouldn't have been predicted in the early 80's. Did we lose our roots? Can we still be original without the culture shock?
Such are the ponderings of the struggling hiphop artist.
And then there was hiphop. Much like the blues, it has expanded across racial and oceanic divides, and spawned life into (and sometimes refreshing) other genres. Krumping, gospel, gangsta rap, RnB, they've all been touched by the universal hand of hiphop.
It all started with b-boys breaking to a funky 12" in 1976, spun by an in house DJ by the name of Kool Herc. Some would say it goes further back to when vandalism became graffiti which I believe was some time in the early 1960's. Others would say it started in 1981 when Run DMC and the movie 'Flashdance' came out - giving it an undeniable appeal to teenagers looking for something fresh to do in their spare time.
Due to varying points of view, the artform can be seen as somewhat bastardised. One thing is obvious: in each case, there were a whole heap of students looking to follow in the footsteps of the teacher, or originator.
Now where could we find this originator?
"He's underground, man. Good luck to ya."
Oh.
So out of the woodwork came a whole heap of Djs, MCs, Graffers and b-boys - some who saw the light passed on to them, others who caught a flicker and took it their own way. Since it was never part of popular culture, it was and still is considered a specialised artform. And considering the lack of attention and money paid to the industry (or community if you like), it can be a struggle to survive as a hiphop purist. In the past odd-30 years, the hiphop tree has grown, but not to its full potential.
And it has had alot of time to do so. Its seems like rock, pop, and dance music will forever overshadow hiphop - such a thing wouldn't have been predicted in the early 80's. Did we lose our roots? Can we still be original without the culture shock?
Such are the ponderings of the struggling hiphop artist.
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