One of the first lessons of the "I am Hiphop" philosophy is the use and treatment of the word "hip-hop".
Hiphop is our nation, our Kulture. It is a real thing, a noun in the American English language. It should be respected with Upper Case status. Hiphop as a capitalized single word denotes our unique cultural awareness, our sight, our vision. Hiphop is the thing that is common to all Writers, Emcees, Deejays and Breakers. It is also the "Common Sense" that is used and developed by all Hustlers, Street Preachers and Gangsters.
The visual expression of these elements is known in the Temple as Hip Hop. When a "Hiphoppa" displays the skills and talents of his people, his culture, he performs Hip Hop.
Now as it (Hip Hop) is known to the non Hiphop world, i.e. rap music, high fashion clothing trends, jingles for commercials, we see as hip-hop. For we cannot deny that the media and economic magicians see the immense value in our creations and as such seek to own and co-opt what we manifest. Not what we own, or we create, what we Manifest. This was stolen the day Hip Hop was shown to the world (see the story of "Rapper's Delight"). This is important. hip-hop has existed since Hip Hop was first shown to the world! We'll make that connection later.
Each Hiphoppa is free to define their own Hiphop reality. The Temple isn't here to make your distinction. But make no mistake, we do make a distinction. And you will know a Templist in the way she or he speaks and carries their self. I find these distinctions to be true, as true as the distinction my Mind naturally made when I was just 13, categorizing violent expressions of rap music as "Rappin" and knowledge droppin raps as "Hip Hop" to my Grandmother, so she wouldn't dare lump real Emcees like Native Tongues Posse together with the studio gangsters that were misreppin' for a check!
Some people accuse this kind of behavior as Hiphop elitist behavior, an attempt to define the undefinable. I say that those that don't give a shit about your culture are defining you everyday! Why should MTV define what my Hiphop is? The Radio? Rappers? The violent drama between Record Companies? This is what makes Hiphop what it is? Bullshit-
I have found in my 6 years with the Temple that many are offended by our attempts at reclaiming Hiphop, if you are truly that opposed to our efforts I say do better. Make something real and better that puts Hiphop Kulture first, not African-American culture or gangster culture or even American culture. Hip Hop Kulture.
And if you don't agree with the Temple, find your own way. Hiphop has enough divisions, pointless infighting is useless. One of our core principles is no bad blood between Hiphoppas. Using our sight and vision to find common ground in all places. That's what Hiphoppas do. I will not honor pointless arguments over details. This place is for ideas to be shared that are inline with the Temple, we've discussed the need for a Hiphop Preservation Society for decades. This is the Call. The Teacha KRS ONE has put his career and reputation on the line to defend and propagate Hiphop for the future, if you can't find peace and friendship here as a Hiphoppa I wish you the best on your search.
There it is-
PEACE
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