Why I love Hip Hop

For my first post in the "Beautiful Feet in Hip Hop " section of my new website, I figured it would be most fitting for me to give you a detailed explanation as to why I love this culture, this music, and the perfect blend of artistic freedom and personal expression. First off, I grew up listening to Hip Hop. Heck, I not only listened to it, I quickly grew to be a writer myself because of my passion for the art.

Nine year old Anthony would hear lyrics from everyone to Eminem to Jay-Z and Even Will Smith and DMX, just to name a few. I was hooked! My young mind was filled with a plethora of imaginative stories, incredible rhymes and rhymes schemes and ending with real-life lessons that any person can relate to. I studied a multitude of writers and studied their various methods of writing and delivery.   

In many cases Hip Hop was my first love that allowed me to evaluate my inner most thoughts. While at the same time, Hip Hop has also allowed me to build confidence in myself through the rhymes that I would write and share with family and friends. I now had an art form that was all mine, in a community that I felt like I was a part of and I belonged. 

Over the years my taste has changed and my list of favorite artists have adjusted, but my love never diminished! I value to the effort and courage each artist displays through his/her art as well as the clever rhyme schemes that the artist displays. Many artists pack their heart into their lyrics and they spill it all on the stage for the adoring audience to find comfort in.

I think Eminem said it best in his 2002 single, "Sing for the Moment" from "The Eminem Show" album
" That's why we sing for these kids, who don't have a thing
Except for a dream, and a f'in rap magazine
Who post pin-up pictures on their walls all day long
Idolize they favorite rappers and know all they songs
Or for anyone who's ever been through sh*t in their lives
Till they sit and they cry at night wishin' they'd die
Till they throw on a rap record and they sit, and they vibe
We're nothin' to you but we're the f'in shit in they eyes
That's why we seize the moment try to freeze it and own it, squeeze it and hold it
'Cause we consider these minutes golden
And maybe they'll admit it when we're gone
Just let our spirits live on, through our lyrics that you hear in our songs."

Hip Hop has brought so many together, especially those who " Have been through sh*t in their lives." This art form has been given hope to so many. It has connected lives in ways we only wish we could replicate. People who would normally avoid communication with one another, becomes brothers and sisters through this art form.
 
I am firm believer that Hip Hop has changed our entire culture and, to be honest, many of the effects are purely positive to the lives of the passionate listeners. The same listeners who, like me, see aspects of themselves painted in the words of their favorite Hip Hop performer.  In the darkest areas of my life, I turn to Hip Hop for comfort and love. I find a community of intelligent, creative people who have never been "Good enough" for the broken expectations of our surrounding environment. They have heard that they would not amount to much in this life to do their personality, their circumstances or their shortcomings. These "nobody's" are usually broken down time after time and they continue to get back up to fight again.  In many ways I  have felt the same way! 

I have never been good enough for many, too many. I was meant to be failure, a nobody! I believed it for years, but God allowed Hip Hop to grab my heart and give something great to strive for. I lost sleep trying to write my own poems and songs that measured to the lyrics of my favorites. I firmly believe that Hip Hop has increased my intelligence and honestly kept me alive!  As I studied the complex lyrics of Eminem, Tech n9ne, Lecrae, and numerous others I was forced to expand my understanding of the rules of poetry. I was also given the opportunity to learn about a whole new world, a culture I knew nothing about.

I truly wish I could perfectly explain why I love Hip Hop, but please understand that I do. I appreciate everything that this culture and this art form has done for me as well as the millions upon millions that have fallen in love with Hip Hop! So, I am here to give props to Hip Hop! Thank you dearly to those who laid down the foundation and blazed a trail that opened the hearts of so many. Shout out to all the courageous men and women that gave the hopeless hope in something. 

Thank you!