During the month of November we talked about a number of commemorative days, but there is one we missed. It’s not a well-known event but it is deeply inspiring – November is National Hip Hop History Month, as declared by Congress in 2021.
Music is Culture
Back in November 2001, DJ Kool Herc and Rocky Bucano began petitioning for congress to recognize November as the month to celebrate Hip Hop culture. Congress did recognize it years later with Resolution 331, a bill co-sponsored by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Congressman Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and passed through the Senate under Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) direction.
What is the importance of Hip Hop and why should its history be commemorated? Let’s look. We know that when the Trans-Atlantic slave trade took place, the men and women who were captured and enslaved lost their language and culture, their music and spiritual beliefs – their human identity. With these human rights destroyed, all that remained for hundreds of years was a ‘slave’ identity.
Looking into Black music we find an absolute wealth of musical styles, thoughts and feelings, rhythms and melodies. We have the Blues, Jazz, Rock & Roll, R&B, Reggae, and Hip-Hop. All of these musical styles came into the world as creations of a People with no inherited culture other than what was within the heart and soul. We are grateful for these gifts that so deeply impacted the American culture and generations of Americans.
The Uniqueness of Hip-Hop
As we know, Blues and R&B stir the emotions or feelings, and Hip Hop stirs the mind and speaks to the culture. From The Source [LINK] we read the following: “Hip hop, born in the Bronx in the late 1970s, has transcended its humble beginnings to become a global cultural force. While the genre has always been celebrated and revered, it wasn’t until recently that it gained official recognition through National Hip Hop Month. This November, we delve into the origin and importance of this cultural celebration.”
The article goes on to talk about the origin and impact of Hip-Hop as a means of communication.
“The roots of hip-hop as a cultural movement date back to the South Bronx in the early 1970s. A combination of turntablism, emceeing, breakdancing, and graffiti art gave birth to this new form of expression. Hip-hop rapidly spread across the boroughs of New York City and beyond, becoming a platform for marginalized communities to voice their experiences, challenges, and hopes.”
The article speaks about Hip-Hop as bringing about cultural preservation, empowerment and education, social and political commentary, and having an economic impact as well. What did Hip-Hop express that wasn’t contained in the previous musical expressions? The article explains it as follows:
“Hip-hop is a powerful tool for empowerment and education. It allows individuals to express themselves creatively, build self-confidence, and learn about social and political issues. National Hip Hop Month highlights the importance of hip-hop as an educational tool, inspiring the next generation to engage with this dynamic art form.”
The article goes on to speak about diversity and the political realities. “Hip-hop is a diverse and inclusive culture that brings people of all backgrounds together. National Hip Hop Month recognizes the contribution of artists from various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of diversity and unity.
“Hip hop has been a vehicle for addressing important social and political issues. From N.W.A.’s “F*** Tha Police” to Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” hip hop has been a platform for artists to speak out against injustice and inequality. National Hip Hop Month highlights the genre’s role as a social and political commentator.”
Speaking Out
When Hip-Hop was first created it was used as a means of speaking out against racism, prejudice in policing, economic challenges… and it was very effective. America had to realize the lingering damages of its past. We have come a long way since the 1970s and we’re grateful for that reality.
From the article we will conclude with this quote: “National Hip Hop Month is not just a celebration of music and dance; it’s a celebration of culture, diversity, empowerment, and expression. It recognizes the art form’s influence on society, from political activism to economic growth. As we celebrate National Hip Hop Month this November, let’s remember the pioneers, artists, and communities that have shaped this incredible cultural movement and continue influencing the world.”
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