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Hip Hop And Spoken Word Meaning

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In order for me to get a clear understanding of the relationship Spoken Word and Hip-hop has with one another I needed to research the history of the Hip-hop culture and where it came from. I found that Hip-hop was "founded in the mid 1970's [as] an artistic and cultural movement based on three distinct elements: rapping, breakdancing and graffiti art" (“Beats”). In the 70's Hip Hop artists wrote lyrics that were based off of the realities of urban life in the Bronx. Both Hip Hop and Spoken Word embody a postmodern aesthetic meaning they reach a wide range of audiences at national and international levels, regardless of race, culture and ethnicity. From a cultural standpoint, both use powerful language to articulate the experiences and marginality …show more content…

Hip-Hop was founded by African Americans and within their culture Spoken Word highlights the importance of oral storytelling. As described by professor and music writer Robert Cataliotti, "these oral traditions serve not merely as pieces of history; rather they have provided a way of remembering, a way of enduring, a way of mourning, a way of celebrating, a way of protesting and subverting, and, ultimately, a way of triumphing." From trying to trace the history of this genre I came to the conclusion that it is important to know that this art form has deeper roots, and that those who take part are continuing a much older cultural practice. Even though Spoken Word is very often characterized as a new, underground artistic movement, it's imperative to know that Spoken Word has been around for as long as language has. It is one of the oldest artistic practices that we have. The griot, the storyteller, the person responsible for orally passing down information from generation to generation: every culture on earth has some kind of equivalent to …show more content…

He was born in the early 1970's in East Harlem, New York and tragically died 25 years later in Las Vegas. During an NPR interview about Tupac's legacy, writer Kevin Powell describes him as, "an artist who came from the people and decided that his work was going to reflect the conditions that were going on in America during his lifetime — his short 25 years on this planet" (Powell). Just like most Spoken Word poets Tupac used his life experiences and background to elevate his music career. Tupac shows a level of maturity in his some of his music where he talks about his mistakes in life. Tupac and Spoken Word poets show vulnerability and honesty in their work while avoiding mainstream lyrics and topics involving pop culture. Tupac was also recognized for his effort to spread a positive influential movement to young people. He acknowledged his rough background but did not let it define him. He gave credit to the streets teaching him how to become a better man. His albums content varied from topics of trust to social discrimination. He struggled with the society he was trapped in and the moral obligations he felt inclined to. In one song he talked about being a player and in another called "Keep Ya Head Up" Tupac wrote lyrics centered around women empowerment. He raps," And since we all came from a woman. Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman. I wonder why we take from our women" (Tupac).

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