Dear Hip Hop.
Your journey is overwhelming,
Your message is radical,
You story- never-ending,
You’re a sanction- a sabbatical.
Your people are strong and misunderstood,
Your media misrepresents you,
And fabricates the truth.
Your illustrations are bold,
Your home- a concrete jungle
Your clothes-bright and baggy,
Sometimes you’re proud, sometimes you’re humble.
Your words explain the unexplainable,
Your music captivates the unattainable,
You’re a dichotomy for the streets,
Your message weaves through your beats.
You’re transient, you’re global,
You’re religion, literature, philosophy, sociology, psychology and science.
You’re controversial, you’re outstanding,
You’re unique and rarely compliant.
Some say you’re dead,
Others think you’ve changed,
One argues you’re art has depleted and become business,
Another says you’re deranged.
Some blame you for violence,
Others defend you’re honour,
One argues you make us weak,
Another says, it’s because of you we’re stronger.
Regardless of the gossip, the accusations and speculations,
You stand as a councillor-a peace for our frustration.
So here’s a thank you for giving us a voice,
Here’s my appreciation to you for giving me a choice- to use my voice.
I’ve followed your stormy journey and understand there’s still a long way to go-
The gale of the zeitgeist,
The heat of the critiques,
And the stereotypes that cover you like a blanket of snow.
Nevertheless, you come through-
The harsh weather,
The trials and tribulations,
Have given birth to Brit hop,
And bought a multitude of cultures together.
That’s what I’ve learned-
Since acquainting myself with you.
So behalf of true Hip Hop followers,
I thank you.
This began as an investigation-
As to whether there is a correlation-
Between Hip Hop culture and youth crime in the UK…
But now, this investigation is a love letter to an art form that walks with me every day.
Long live Hip Hop.
Nadia Gasper.