Change! Make it Happen quit Talkin'!

It funny to hear how we all talk about how hip hop has changed, or that hip hop is dead.  I myself get caught up in the conversations and the hype, but hip hop is about change.  The style of hip hop that we all know and love may be considered dead but that doesn't mean that it can't be resurrected!  If you don't like the current state of hip hop then join in the fight to change it.  

With the nation screaming for change and the world screaming for change I have been intrigued over the course of the last year as I listen to individuals talk about change but that is all they do, just talk.  If we want things to change then we have to take the necessary steps to make that change happen.  I've been intensely involved in this years presidential campaign and watching and learning at every twist and turn of this historic campaign.  I've worked in the field to educate young people, by the way they are the ones that can really start to make the change happen, about why it is important for them to vote.  First and foremost it is your civic duty as a citizen of the United States to vote, this is a privilege that too many of us take for granted.  Secondly and most importantly all of those people that don't vote, are the same people that bitch and moan about how things need to change don't just talk about the change be about it!  

Get out there and let your voice be heard!  To many people fought for equal rights, fought for democracy for us not to pay attention to what could be the most important election in our lifetime.  Our young people do not truely understand what a huge impact they could have on our nation.  If you are of age and are a legal citizen of the United States...please vote and do it for the right reasons.  Your vote does count, make a choice...there are only two candidates left, so choose one and follow the campaign so you can make an educated decision.  Remember it's your civic duty to vote, let your voice be heard!

Hip Hop

Reflecting on this day where we celebrate the life of a great man Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I think that in a lot of ways we have achieved his dream but there is still along ways to go. I see his dream achieved in the Hip Hop Culture. Although there are alot of issues right now with Hip Hop and the way it is preceived, what other culture can say that it has brought races of all kind together for the common good. Hip Hop has changed the world!!! Starting from a humble beginnings in New York Hip Hop has now become a global phenomenon! Because of Hip Hop I have been able to connect with people all over the States with hope of continuing to connect with people all over the world. Because of Hip Hop I learned that it is okay to listen to and appreciate other forms of music, other forms of art, to respect other peoples backgrounds. Now closing in on the age of 35 and having my own kids, I am beginning to understand why this dream is so important to continue to strive for. I know in my lifetime I have seen both the good and the bad side of humanity, but I could always turn to my hip hop culture for the answer I needed. I have learned a lot through this culture and hope that I will be able to give to the culture and to my chlidren and other children out there in need of support. Hip Hop speaks to each of us in a different way, but it speaks to all of us. It may speak to you as a dj, an emcee, a bboy/bgirl, or a writer now it's up to you to determine what you are gonna do with the message. Not just the message that the Hip Hop culture is sending to you or our kids, but the message that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave to all of us over 40 years ago. Are we there yet? NO!!! Have we made progress? YES!!! Do we still has a long ways to go? YES!!! But, we have all witnessed the evolution of a culture (Hip Hop) that has progressed faster than any other in delivering Dr. Kings message.