Hip Hop Culture:Beyond the Bling

presented by:Monica Alfonzo

Cross Cultural Health Care Program

www.xculture.org

What is Hip Hop?“Hip Hop came from hardship, the struggle faced by teens, youngsters, folks who needed a positive outlet.

It's that essence which was so contagious — pure, honest and in

your face. It was completely different from what was out there."

-Khazm

2006 Winner for Seattle’s

Excellence in Hip Hop Award

What is Hip Hop?

Hip-hop is a culture. The term is loosely used when referring to commercialized rap music, however hip-hop is more than just music. It is the heartbeat of American ghetto youth who claimed their own self-expression and used it to rise above their physical circumstances. Hip-hop culture has its roots in pride, truth, courage and self-determination.

Source: groups.myspace.com/hiphopurban

The Elements of Hip Hop

• Rap

• Djing

• Breakdancing

• Graffiti

Rap Music

Rap Music Roots

• Attributed to griots of Western Africa

• “Toasting” started in NYC during block parties in the early ’70s

• Started by DJ Kool Herc, Africa Bambataa

Source: Wikipedia.org

Addressing some

stereotypes

“Pop Hop”

• Typically, rap music played on MTV or radio.

• These songs are selected according to what is popular (what will sell)

• Not all Pop Hop is bad

“Gangsta Rap”

Although crime and violence in the inner city have always been part of hip hop's lyrical canon, before the rise of gangsta rap the subject was not embraced or addressed so blatantly.

Source: Wikipedia.org

“I didn’t create Thug Life,

I diagnosed it”- Tupac Shakur

Lyrics

Hip Hop is….

An expression of the individual artist’s – Self– Passions– Pet peeves– Reality

Exploring our inner Hip Hop

• Who are you???

• What are your passions???

• What are your pet peeves???

Conflict is...

…a perceived or actual incompatibility of interests, goals, values, and/or resources that inevitably arise from differences.

Hot Buttons are Triggered When People

• Challenge your competence.

• Don’t appreciate you.

• Communicate in ways that irritate you.

• Are condescending.

• Give you unsolicited advice.

• Are quick to judge.

• Don’t respect you.

Cultural Bump...

As a result of a personal interaction you are:– confused– frustrated– angry– misunderstood– helpless– hopeless

The Negative Cycle of Conflict

Person A

Emotions• Angry

• Hopeless

• Helpless

• Frustrated

• Confused

• Misunderstood

• Depressed

Person B

Actions• Violence

• Withdrawal

• Passive-aggressive

• Blame

• Substance Abuse

• Homicide

• Suicide

-Ira SenGupta, 2002

Five Steps to Cultural Competency

1. Awareness of Self and the Other.

2. Acknowledgement.

3. Honest Validation.

4. Negotiation.

5. Action: Choices and Options.

- Ira SenGupta, May, 2000, Health and Healing

"When we made Hip Hop, we made it hoping it would be about peace, love, unity and having fun so that people could get away from the negativity that was plaguing our streets (gang violence, drug abuse, self hate, violence among those of African and Latino descent). Even though this negativity still happens here and there, as the culture progresses, we play a big role in conflict resolution and enforcing positivity.”

- Africa Bambaataa Godfather of Hip Hop Founder, Universal Zulu Nation