In this moment, it seems strange to be talking about anything but the coronavirus pandemic, and we do plan to talk about the many creative ways that the Next Level community is dealing with the wide range of issues brought on by the pandemic in our next blog.

But hip-hop’s approach to this – or any – issue is facilitated by its own basic principles, and one of the things that distinguishes hip-hop from other art forms is the element”. The elements are usually designated as emceeing, deejaying, dance and graffiti (urban style writing), though many people include other aspects of hip-hop culture, especially “knowledge”. Not only does hip-hop include multiple diverse art forms, but by doing so, it also includes the idea that they should all influence each other. The relationship between the different elements is a deep structural aspect of hip-hop that often goes unappreciated.

Earlier this month, I asked Next Level artists how this dynamic has affected their own experience of hip-hop culture. How have they applied insights from different hip-hop elements to their main artistic form? The answers I got ranged from the general to the specific.

Team Croatia’s Asia One (No Easy Props) notes that two things that all elements share is an approach to improvisation that foregrounds both the individual and the community that they represent at the same time. “One thing that has become clear to me as a student and practitioner of Hip-Hop is how the art forms are all about style and the ability to freestyle,” she says. “Which, in effect, is being good enough at the art-form to be fluid at it, allowing your skills to manifest into a new creation each time you express it.”

“As a Bgirl who also writes graffiti, when I learned about the lineage of crews and the styles they created, it made me identify with it as it’s similar to Breakin’,” she continues. “The ability to burn a wall with a piece that shows what crew you represent based on your letter style, is similar to burning the floor - That shows your blueprint as well as style-wise relating to your crew, affiliation, and history.”

Moreover, the idea that you should be able to express these complex stylistic ideas spontaneously is itself something that connects different elements to each other.

“Ultimately in hip hop culture, improvisation is what makes each element different,” says Team El Salvador’s Danny Rodriguez. “That is what makes hip hop culture more unique then others. Improvisation, usually found through one on one battles or competition is what pushes all of the elements. I think most of the participants in the culture find inspiration in that idea when they see someone get down like that. “

By its very nature, improvisation is about process more that product, which is itself an important principle of hip-hop. Team Morocco’s B-Boy House points out that improvisation is not only part of the art forms themselves, but also an important part of the educational process:

“I approach both Breaking and Writing (graf) the way I learned, which is freestyle rooted and for the most part raw,” he says. “This is actually something I am currently working on in my Creative Practice class and developing with my students: How can we learn from the parallels in each element? I grew up as a novice "writer" in Chicago where the art galleries run along the train lines, brick walls on rooftops where few see those pieces up close. Speed was of the essence and so those style masterpieces are raw and beautifully dirty.”

“Similarly, my real growth and development of my style in Breaking came out in the nineties, and developed by similar spaces and vibes. You didn't worry about being ‘clean’ as much as just going off, creating an unreadable wild Style. I prefer to do a freestyle ‘piece’ and cypher run as opposed to a choreographed or a sketch/blueprint that I have to stay in.”

“I am respectful student and fan of both deejays and emcees, for the simple reason that knowledge in those feed my other elements,” he continues. “You realize what are the base and foundational ingredients in all of these across the board? I find the process and approaches to be similar between all of the elements. My hand styles creates my groove, I expand those to throw ups which add texture and layers to my movement, which graduates to pieces which you fill with colors and designs a background, characters...which translates to the process in Breaking, once I have a foundation, a structure and some rules to follow and Break, I put it together and release that Physical Graffiti.”

“But just as the letters are the essence of the art , so is the footwork in Breaking. You can also play with the idea of becoming the letter for a more literal translation and visual of the connecting styles, with transitions and arrows in motion! It's a great and never ending journey that will change how and where you are in the game, I have the pleasure after decades of paying dues in both, I have slowly matured back to the basics of creating and loving the process over product.”

“Master pieces and Love!”

————————————————-

Part II coming soon!

Masterpieces and Love: Connecting the Elements, Part I