Hip Hop in Uncertain Times
The original plan for this month was to continue to explore the strategies that Next Level alumni were developing in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. But the expansion of the Movement for Black Lives over the last few weeks makes the pandemic seem secondary.
But ultimately the two are connected: The movement is taking place in the context of the pandemic, which is taking place in the context of race. It is no secret that the pandemic has disproportionately affected Black and Latino people – and particularly in New York City, the birthplace of Hip Hop.
Hip Hop artists have an acute consciousness of these connections. This was clear even from the projects that people were working on before the movement took off, and it is all the more apparent now.
As Team Morocco’s B-Boy House reports, the ability to make political change while protecting oneself both physically and mentally has always been a part of Hip Hop. “This past weekend in Arizona we have still had a curfew and Covid is spiking, but meanwhile we are witnessing what might be the biggest Civil Rights Movement in our lifetimes.”
“As we practice social distancing, we as artists still continue to feel the need not only to create but to contribute to the people. I was able to spearhead a new project "Love Fights Back" in a very short amount of time. A grassroots for the people by the people. It takes a village and the village showed up in support. Donating funds for supplies, food and water to keep us going in the Arizona 110 degree heat. A misfit group of Hip Hop artists from different tribes under one Collective Consciousness. A statement inspired by a west coast emcee "2Mex", supported by images of the people. Framed by Black and Brown fist of Power, held up by characters of diversity. We are planning another one in two weeks and will continue to do the work!”
Team Senegal’s Toni Blackman has always promoted healing for people of African ancestry, and in spite of the new challenges, has no intention of slowing down. “Honestly, when friends started to die, Hip Hop is what kept me from falling into a depression,” she writes. “I felt every ounce of sadness and pain. I allowed it to serve as fuel for living more full out. I started taking classes and building my skills. I also started negotiating in ways that I haven't before. Then the energy started to flow. One of the things I manifested was the opportunity to produce something I've been dreaming about since forever - The Global Women's Cypher!”
“Building and fostering a healthy cipher/community the final weeks of this semester gave me and my students life,” writes Team Bolivia’s Farbeon. “And now that it was ending, I knew I needed to focus on something else equally meaningful and inspiring.” This led him to two major projects, developing trauma-informed, arts-based summer-bridgeprogramming with his organization the Hip Hop Re:Education Project, a ‘New York-based creative youth development organization that engages communities in the artistic processes of Hip Hop culture, inspiring them to transform their world,” and the re-launch of his radio show “The Feel Good Happy Hour” on www.bondfireradio.com every Friday from 6:30 - 8:30 pm EST.
“Not ever really getting to celebrate my Next Level residency was profoundly disappointing,” he continues, “but in the midst of all the ‘real’ pain and loss brought on by Covid-19 and the ever-present struggle for racial justice, it really didn’t feel right to focus on the experience. How could I talk about all the great blessings in my life, when so many people were suffering. Which got me thinking…how many other people are dimming their light during these times out of respect for those that are struggling?”
“The show is pushing me spiritually and emotionally as I am able to connect with inspiring individuals who are currently doing ‘the work,’ giving them a platform to share their stories. And it is pushing me artistically as every week I curate and mix a selection of music that aims to sustain both the struggle and celebration. Ultimately, I’m using Hip Hop, music and my gifts as an educator and agent of change to bring a little positivity to the world right now.”
Others have been using their time to make new connections and preserve history. DJ 2-Tone Jones has been doing live streaming movie events ever other week. “ Before the shelter-in-place orders we did them in-person on a monthly basis in DC and at spot dates all across the country. Since then we figured out a way to offer our unique live film-scoring experience online, which now allows us to reach people from across the map all at once.”
Finally, one of themes of the current movement is the need for people to tell their own stories, and Hip Hop has always been extremely conscious of this issue. One aspect of that is the development of personal archives that have documented the history of Hip Hop’s communities when mainstream institutions were unwilling or unable to do so.
This has been one area where Haleem “Stringz” Rasul has been focusing his energies. “I have been using much of my time digitizing tons of my video tapes of various hiphop related content that I had recorded over the years and uncovered some gems,” he writes. “I managed to find 20min of footage from the HipHop Summit held in Detroit featuring Eminem, Nas, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and many more. This was a big deal and there is very little info you can find online. Seems like I have the only video post.”
[You can see more of his footage on his YouTube channel here.]
We are obviously living in a moment of great uncertainty. But it is already clear that hip-hop artists are building a strong foundation that can – and will – support many diverse strategies for building a better world.