“Rules Without Rulers”

As I scrolled through my Facebook news feed, I discovered the following artwork here, being shared by the page, “Wake Up & Disobey,” and originally posted it to my own wall, along with commentary…

"Science is anarchism. There is no ultimate or central authority in science. Scientists don't just seek to work within the existing order, they often actively attack mainstream scientific thought. The decentralised nature of science means that a very wide range of ideas exists. Innovation can come from anywhere and the leading theories can be overthrown at anytime."

“Science is anarchism. There is no ultimate or central authority in science. Scientists don’t just seek to work within the existing order, they often actively attack mainstream scientific thought. The decentralised nature of science means that a very wide range of ideas exists. Innovation can come from anywhere and the leading theories can be overthrown at anytime.”

My Commentary: “Rules without rulers,” in essence.

Is Distinguishing Hip-Hop from “Hip-Pop” a Form of “Disrespect” to “the Culture”?

The following debate originally took place upon the Facebook wall of fellow emcee, Persia…

"Conscious Lyricists"

“Conscious Lyricists”

Persia: There aint been no Hip Hop on the radio in years….they calling it Hip Hop, but it aint Hip Hop.

Lisa L.: you are for sure right girl!

Varian R.: HAVEN’T LISTEN TO THE RADIO IN YEARS…BYPASS WHILE CHANGING CD’S YEAH…THAT ALL

Rayn: No doubt! Hip-Pop is NOT Hip-Hop!

Varian R.: HIP-POP…HUHHH…WON’T GO THAT FAR….JUST RAP MUSIC…THAT’S WHAT IT IS…DON’T DISRESPECT THE CULTURE….

Rayn: The distinguishment is intended to protect the culture, not disrespect it!

Varian R.: THE WAY YOU CAME WITH IT I TOOK IT….HIP-POP”’NELLY IF YOU REALLY WANT IT TO BE SOMETHING

Varian R.: OTHER THEN THAT CASE CLOSED

Rayn: Well, you were mistaken, then, since I made my comment with all due respect. 🙂

Varian R.: YOU SAID WHAT YOU SAID….I GO BY WHAT I KNOW….YOU AND THIS HIP POP…..NOT IN MY LEAGUE…..DON’T SAY IT WAS TO PROTECT UNLESS THAT’S WHAT YOU STAND FOR HOMIE….ONLY FUCK WITH LYRICAL….EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST RAP TO ME

Rayn: Then, know this: that I said it, ‘cuz that’s exactly what I stand for! 🙂

Persia: oh lawd *throws hands up*

Hip-Hop, Commercialism and the Female Emcee

The following post was originally published by fellow emcee, AtLas’, in the forum section of HipHopSisters.com

The rare and deadly female emcee

The rare and deadly female emcee

“Why is there a perceived lack of female emcees in Hip-Hop? People are always asking where the ladies are in Hip Hop. I happen to know of a few places where you can find us. However, when the question is posed, I have to wonder, do they only mean the female emcees? There doesn’t seem to be a lack of female dj’s or b-girls, so why emcees? I have my own thoughts, but I’m interested to know yours.”

In response to AtLas’ questions, I wrote the following elaborate reply. However, I chose not to publish it at HipHopSisters.com because I determined it to be inappropriately lengthy…

In response to your first question, asking why there is a “perceived” lack of female emcees in the game right now, especially when compared with DJs and B-Girls, the answer is complex. We must start, first, by realizing (and admitting) that today’s Hip-Hop music has been completely compromised by the corrupted Corporate oligarchy known as the “Music Industry.” In essence, Hip-Hop is a vehicle, driven by struggle, towards empowerment, using the fuel of expression. And, though the genre began underground, it was not until it was picked up by the mainstream that it became a worldwide sensation. And, as the gatekeepers of all radio play, and the holders of all major record labels, for many years, the Music Industry has usurped authority over the entire Hip-Hop music scene. Record executives have worked hard to convert the emcee into a “product,” to be sold in a commercially-driven market. The Industry has, in effect, removed most of the heart and soul from Hip-Hop music, and replaced it with the sort of shallow, fickle, fad-based, formula-dependent “pop” culture that draws teenyboppers to the market en mass, eager to purchase the latest, most popular album available. Where Hip-Hop once had substance, it now has image. The content and message of lyrics have taken a backseat to swag, flow and “a good beat.” Most of today’s radio emcees no longer represent the streets, or the struggle. Instead, they simply represent the Corporate interests of their record label masters. These types of sellout emcees – motivated primarily by money – serve as “useful idiots” to the Industry, because they are ready, willing and able to completely, hypocritically “brand” themselves to fans in order to increase sales. From where I stand, today’s mainstream Hip-Hop music more resembles a high school popularity contest than an actual form of art.

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