From Graffiti to Hip-Hop How a country with a history of protest still uses the spoken and written word as a form of rebellion By Jacklyn Janeksela Hip-hop culture started before the Velvet Revolution. The changes of the 80s and 90s spawned fans of hip-hop and rap. Many hip-hop artists today started as graffiti artists in the 80s tagging the city in revolt, going against the grain and regime in search of liberation. American and Czech hip-hop have much more in common than meets the eye basic human rights, freedom of speech, and artistic expression. The first true expression of hip-hop in the region was graffiti. Breakdancing became famous when Petr Ježek performed before and after 1989 in front of two different presidents. DJ-ing was on the rise, although its popularity grew slowly due to a lack of technology and funds. Graffiti, however, was much more accessible and easier to do. It was a way to unleash truth under the cover of night. Once upon a time Prague even ranked as one of the top cities for graffiti art. Freestyle rap from across the sea found a home on the Czech scene as a version of tagging – self-expression sparked by a need to fight back against the powers that be. Hip-hop communities popped up and the blending of graffiti, sound, and body movement was in full effect. While graffiti has since died down due to punishments for “vandals,” hip-hop musicians have maintained their role in the culture. Photos in this article were provided by: 1) Gabriel Barletta 2) Hellwana Evans
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