Hip Hop doesn’t necessarily define what it means to grow up Black in America. I am growing up Black in America and Hip Hop does not define me.

Hip Hop as a culture plays and large role in the lives of many young Black people and it also plays a large role in the lives of people from every other ethnic group. Hip Hop is Back, White, Asian, Latino, Pacific Islander, West Indian and at the same time hip hop can be none of those things.

Hip hop is a powerful tool that has an impact on so many people across so many demographics. It can represent youth, music, lifestyles and dreams. It has the power to heal, change, inspire and promote.

The affect that hip hop has on younger generations varies greatly. People who listen to underground music may be inspired to cause political change. People who listen to Hiphie (sp) music are encouraged to “go dumb”. It depends on the messaging that’s being put out there. I feel like artists have a responsibility to realize that their music is reaching masses and for that reason should not promote total garbage.

I’m not against the use of “offensive” language or descriptions of violence and disrespect in songs, but I do think that the artists should make a decision to limit the amount of unnecessary negativity that they promote. It takes a lot more skill to be creative and come up with some lyrics that make you think verses spitting rhymes about some BS that is probably way more fabricated than truth.

Anyways, I’ve gone all around the world with this comment. I love hip hop and at times I hate hip hop.