BMM: Does Hip Hop Have A Place In Black Music?

Kurtis Blow. Run DMC. MC Lyte. Eric B & Rakim.  Dana Dane. Slick Rick.  The list of hip-hop pioneers is long and their musical resume even longer.

Hip-hop culture was founded in the 1970’s in the South Bronx, but it’s national presence began to emerge in the early to mid-80’s.

Since that time, hip hop has gotten a bad name. It has been blamed for a rise in crime and sexual promiscuity.  It’s value and validity has been debated on the floor of the United States House of Representatives and the US Senate, with many believing the culture had a negative influence on society.

In 2007, I boldly announced that hip-hop culture, the culture that I and most of today’s 30 somethings were raised in, needed a PR manager.

Hip hop needed someone to tell the world about the positive aspects of the culture.  This 1987 newscast sought to do just that.  It was one of many newscasts that would seek  to tell a story about the culture that was started as a way for urban youth to express themselves.

Even with all the positive stories about how hip hop helped people change their lives, how it empowered many and how it continues to contribute positively to society, many people still don’t believe it has a place in Black music. What do you think?