It’s been half a century since the birth of hip-hop, a monumental milestone and a feat that continues to be celebrated worldwide. Recently, Men’s Health took a moment to honor the substantial impact of Hip-hop on Black men and their health. It is a venerable nod to the positive force of Hip-hop in the community.
Hip-Hop: Rare Beginnings
Hip-hop has grown in the most unimaginable ways since its birth in 1973. There is no way that anyone who attended that one-of-a-kind party at a Morris Heights complex would know that Hip-hop would become a massive movement with a global reach. Unbeknownst to those partygoers spending a couple of hours expressing themselves through music, moving and vibing to Dj Herc on the turntables, they witnessed a culture’s shaping. Or, as one elected official termed it, they were witnesses to “… the rebirth of a civilization.” 1520 Sedgewick Ave would eternally be immortalized as the place where a movement that would influence everything from language to health would come to life.
Men’s Health Nod To Hip-Hop
According to Men’s Health, hip-hop has had a commanding impact on Black men and their health for decades. Hip-hop has served as a channel of information, raising awareness and illuminating some of the more insidious factors affecting the health and welfare of Black men. And in celebration of all Hip-hop has contributed, Men’s Health dedicated a feature article highlighting Hip-hop’s supportive efforts and serving as an empowerment platform for significant physical, mental, and social issues dating to the 70s.
Reflecting: The Voice Of the People
Some will argue that not all that has come out of hip-hop has been positive. That is an inarguable truth. However, much of the music has served as a mirror. The music reflected the status quo in many Black neighborhoods during that period. And the reality was hard, far from a muse imbued with perfection. As Daniel ( Run DMC founding member) notes,
“Hip-hop referenced things that were unhealthy because those things were part of our society’s lifestyle.”
However, Daniel was one artist that did things a bit differently. He noted his efforts and measures to shift the narrative in his interview. According to Daniel, he took the mic and worked to shift the focus to a more favorable alternative to many hazardous options, including drug use. Daniel told the outlet initially that his alias was “Grandmaster Get High,” but for a good reason. He said, “Getting high in New York City and the Black culture was a social thing of empowerment, recognition, and status. So, I told people they didn’t need any of that. But I wasn’t telling them from a healthy standpoint. I was bragging that my music was better than it all.”
Hip-Hop: A Perpetual Force
While sometimes it’s hard to see the value of a message when looking at the medium of exchange or the person communicating, it doesn’t make it any less pertinent. Many of the messages went out like SOS signals, signifiers to the masses calling attention to dire community issues. In the 1980s, Doug E. Fresh used his narrative to raise awareness. Doug E. Fresh’s collaborative project “Self-Destruction” helped to sound the clarion call on the impact of violence in the community. To this day, Doug E. Fresh continues to ruminate on the power of that release and the choice to use his artistic voice to reach the masses.
In Fresh’s words, “There was so much of that [violence] going on that we felt, collectively, it would be wise to use this power [of hip-hop to do something]. We all collectively knew how important it was to get together and use our power to make [“Self-Destruction”]. And it had a tremendous impact on hip-hop.”
Fresh continues to walk that path of a beacon of light through the helming of an organization that focuses on health and healing. As Men Health notes, “His organization, Hip Hop Public Health, uses music and art to bring awareness to health issues facing Black people, similar to how “Self-Destruction” put America on notice about the gun violence epidemic plaguing Black men.”
Obscure But Brilliant Jewels
Given the increasing argument over violence related to the hip-hop industry and its impact, it is often easy to sweep positive contributions under the rug. There has never been a let-up, and this was never a trend. This would be how many artists would approach their craft in the 90s, 00s, and up until now. Many hip-hop artists have positively influenced the communities they serve and continue to do so.
When it comes to hip-hop, there is much to celebrate. In fact, there is no way of knowing the full impact of Hip-hop on communities locally and globally. But seeing those efforts highlighted is not only remarkable but extremely necessary. It is crucial that people not only know where Hip-hop came from but what is being done, thus setting the pattern for even bigger and better things in the future. So long live Hip-hop. And big ups to all who continue to shine a light on the positive force that Hip-hop is.
