Running head: Weekly Write Up II

Weekly Write Up II
Maverick A. Garces
University of Washington - Seattle

Weekly Write Up II

2
Weekly Write Up II

This weeks theme was all about Tha Rootz of Hip Hop, and thus I tried my best to
create my own lyrics/poem as an homage to the beginnings of this cultural movement. Looking
back at the lectures, readings, and discussions we had this week, I was especially drawn to Hip
Hops origins as a means of mobilizing communities, and how this very essence has continued
on, albeit with some outliers along the way.
Hip Hop and its Mobilizing Nature
The story of DJ Kool Herc, the man who is credited as the father of Hip Hop, begins in a
way that is somewhat unexpected, especially after seeing all that popular Rap music has become
in the twenty-first century. It all began as a way to fundraise for his sisters upcoming school
year, but also had the effect of spurring the emergence of an entirely fresh musical style.
However, I think that it is these rather humble beginnings on 1520 Sedgwick Avenue that greatly
attest to Hip Hops mobilizing and empowering abilities.

Figure 1. 1520 Sedgwick Avenuewhere it all (arguably) began with the party run by DJ
Kool Herc.

Weekly Write Up II

Especially in regards to the Civil Rights movement, Hip Hop has in effect acted in place
of news media outlets as they often entirely ignored what Black communities were collectively
experiencing. Perhaps the most well known example of this is N.W.A.s song, Fuck tha Police,
as it goes, They have the authority to kill a minority / Fuck that shit, cause I ain't the one / For a
punk motherfucker with a badge and a gun / To be beating on, and thrown in jail. While
simultaneously acting as both a way of spreading a message many were ignorant to and
protesting against those in power, Fuck tha Police can also be described as a performance
that intervene(s) in the political scenarios that Black people were, and are, rightfully invested
in (Taylor, 2003, p. 22). In fact, Hip Hop in its entirety could also be in this case, a
performance, and thus has allowed those in underprivileged communities that are perhaps
unaware to be given the chance to fight alongside.
Ann Taylor (2003) then goes on to state that these kinds of works are indeed vital acts of
transfer as they transmit social knowledge, memory, and a sense of identity to future
generations. This is especially prominent in the context of Hip Hop, as many have received this
identity from those before, and have perhaps altered it to their own fittings. You have the god
father Afrika Bambaata who encouraged a sense of community and self-determinationand it is
through his performances, or acts of transfer, that other Hip Hop artists, such as Queen Latifah,
have slightly reinterpreted these meanings for different audiences; in this case, for strong, women
empowerment. It is these acts that have allowed Hip Hop to grow, yet still keep sight on its
roots as a means of inspiration and liberation.

Weekly Write Up II

Figure 2. The cover art of Queen Latifahs album, All Hail the Queen, covering aspects
specific to the struggles of Black women.
From its beginnings as a way to raise money for the underprivileged to attend school, not
much has actually changed if you think about Hip Hops impacts on those searching for the
strength to fight the forces of systemic oppression. Thus, as Hip Hop continues to develop, I
hope all are reminded from time to time of how it all started: a means to mobilize and empower
the communities that really needed it the most.

Weekly Write Up II

5
Lyrics/Poem

It all started here on Sedgwick Ave.

Right in the Bronx of the early 70s
DJ Kool Herc took it upon his hands
To give it up for his sista Cindy
From then on out, hes known to be crowned
the one and only, father of this cultural dynasty
But this was just the conception
From here on out, many began to feel a connection
And as the pioneers began to take lead
Hip Hop as we know became a political intervention
Against oppression from the ones that still wanted to see
Black men and women dyin in their sleep
A method for spreadin the message White folk didnt wanna mention
While suppressin Black folk by any kinds of means
The Panthers fought alongside protectin their own people
Didnt wanna see no more taken into detention
Didnt wanna see anything lethal
Just wanted to be seen as equals
So now performing acts of transfer
From master to the next amateur
Hip Hops grown to underscore
The wants and needs of those that need it more

Weekly Write Up II

6
References

T. (2011, March 05). N.W.A. - Fuck Tha Police (The Explicit). Retrieved April 07, 2016,
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jOqOlETcRU
Taylor, D. (2003). The Archive and The Repertoire: Performing Cultural Memory in the
Americas. Durham: Duke University Press.