Hip Hop and Washington DC – going back to the beginning

Rap and Hip Hop today has taken a huge leap backwards, which is actually a great thing to happen. When I say backwards I mean to the beginning of the entire genre of music. Back before there was the current mainstream of gangsta rap there were the diversified and influential styles of rap music.

From Grand Master Flash introducing the first serious rap song in 1982, The Message, there was a growth in the music that spoke to serious issues. This culminated in perhaps the strongest voice for political involvement and criticism from the rap hip-hop industry ever: Public Enemy.

They might not have been the most loved rap group among White America, or even people of color, but they were vocal. They took the entrenched political status quo and shouted for them to be accountable. They looked at African Americans and demanded we do better. That we become involved rather than be directed. And they had an effect.

In fact Public Enemy, along with serveral other rappers and groups, became such a force for change that the music industry stood up and paid attention. Their reaction has been denied for decades, excused and deflected. They found, pushed, and manipulated gangsta rap.

In the over a decade since 1992, gangsta rap has become the standard rather than a sub-genre it started as. It has almost entirely avoided any serious involvement in politics or political action. It has promoted violence, drug use, abuse of women, and crime. It has distracted the masses with illusions of wealth and giggling of female anatomy. The music executives did their job so well that even when leaders in the rap and hip hop industry tried to get serious about politics (2004) no one listened. And they were undercut from within with actions like that of Kanye West during the Hurricane Katrina Fund Raising efforts.

But then came President Obama. And the rap and hip hop industry rallied. Because President Obama is relatively young, a Democrat, full of promises, and most importantly (if we are honest) he is Black. And they jumped in with both feet, in an election more defined by a national breaking of the ultimate glass ceiling than most anything else.

Now I do not fault rappers or hip hop for this. I in fact am happy to see they have finally gone back to their roots and suddenly realized the power that was thrown away (or bought off) 17 years ago. The latest attempt to regain the past impact on politics is the Hip Hop Caucus.

The Hip Hop Caucus is a lobby group made up of rap artists, guided by the Congressional Black Caucus and supported in some issues by members of Congress. As of this moment they are seeking to have a bill introduced, with the support of Sen. Barbara Boxer and Rep. Ed Markey. Their goals – green reform, education, re-entry legislation for prisoners, lessons on the Constitution in schools and funding for voter registration.

These are all good ideas (to varying degrees). The big question though is if Hip Hop is capable of making the transition back to where it started. Especially as the music genre continues on its path of glorification of violence, drugs, and abuse of women. Can it make money for music executives focused squarely on distraction of the masses, while encouraging the youth to become involved in the politics that shapes their lives?

I think not. To me only one master can be served at a time. Which means either Rap cleans up, potentially causing another backlash from the music industry, or the Hip Hop Caucus and other such groups fail.

“The decisions that we make now politically will affect the next generation and the generation after that. So we have to be involved. By speaking out, I end up speaking for poor people and a larger group all over the country.” – David Banner, rapper

The quote is a true statement. But as long as we affect the next generations with thoughts and images of exclusion from the mainstream of America, of living in a manner that is counterproductive to society in this nation, then all of the speaking out will be little more than static in the air.

Hall of Fame, Obi Wan, cavemen and Star Trek - 3.13.2007.1

So did you hear? Finally there has been some recognition for the original forms of Rap music. The musical genre has been rightly acknowledged with the induction of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. The founding groups and individuals that were considered mere fads by the media and industry are now finally getting the respect due for creating a genre that, though changed dramatically, now commands significant attention in record sales, movie soundtracks, music television air-time and more. Long past a mere fad, the founders can now look to be joined by other influential groups in the near term.

Without a question the Beastie Boys will get recognized, and they deserve to though I think it will be before other more deserving artists. LL Cool J must be inducted, as must Run-DMC, and Eric B and Rakim. I’m sure slightly down the road will be Queen Latifah and Salt&Peppa. Dougie Fresh would be a pleasant addition as well. Whether or not this will happen, and in what order will come out shortly as the 25 year pre-condition is met by more and more of the ‘fad’ stars. And when the time comes I dare the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame to deny Public Enemy. [Though I’m glad the time for considering the minor abilities of artists like 50 cent is far off.]

In other news there is talk of the cavemen from the popular Giecko ads, will be getting their own television show. This could be quite interesting, and I hope the respect is given to the men starring in the ads now by giving them a shot at fame on the show. It would be irresponsible if they aren’t in the show. More on that as details emerge.

In other popular news, fans of Star Trek have something to look forward to. The journey is not over, as a new movie is planned for the end of 2008. This new film will be going back into the past of the timeline, though thankfully will not be delving into the ruinous Enterprise arena. No, the studios have learned and realized the real draws of the series, and will be featuring a story based on Kirk and Spock. This will be about their first meeting and mission outside of Starfleet Academy.

This is fertile ground and a lot can be done with the story. Hopefully the writers have actually watched the early television show, even better if they are fans. But be primed against a good movie with the fact that ‘revisioning’ seems to be the mantra of films based on previous movies and television programs these days. The most critical fact will be the choice of who will play Kirk and Spock. Considering we know what they look like, getting someone that looks like younger versions of them will be difficult. But as long as the choices are close I can live with that obvious difficulty. Given that I can’t imagine who could pull it off. I’m not the only fan out there, who do you think should be these larger than Starfleet characters? Who deserves to be the greatest Starfleet captain and his first mate?

For fans of the biggest sci-fi film and series ever, another piece of the Force has just gone into someone else’s hands. Yes the cloak of old Obi Wan Kenobi, as worn by esteemed actor Sir Alec Guiness, was sold recently for $104,000. Not a small price tag, though I can see paying for that item. Of course my wish list includes Darth Vader’s helmet and lightsaber. Not likely I could afford them but still worth wanting.
For the non sci fi fans the same auction also sold a Bond girl catsuit, Mr. Mel Gibson’s kilt from Braveheart and Mr. Terry Jones’ metal helm from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. That last piece went for 19 thousand. Some wish lists are real expensive.

More soccer and movie thoughts soon to come.

This is what I think, what do you think?