Hip Hop and You Don’t Stop By Celia Thomas
Stop thinking about what hip hop really means, that is. A lot of people think hip hop and rap music are one and the same; to me, they’re on two ends of the spectrum. When I think of hip hop, I envision Run DMC, colorful clothes, and good times. But when I think of rap, all I see is Waka Flocka, crunk juice, and going to jail. I definitely know there’s a difference, but how do others view the two? Is it just African-Americans who see the separation, or do other cultures realize it also? How do hip hop and rap measure up to each other? Furthermore, what type is preferred? DeAnthony Payne, an 18 year-old mixed student agrees on a separation between the styles. To him, rap stemmed off of the original hip hop genre. It’s more materialistic, incorporat-
ing things like “bling” and women into the mix. Hip hop, however, focuses on the DJ and his actions. In the hip hop culture, graffiti is seen as art upon walls and break dancers line the streets. Payne likes the styles and artists of rap and hip hop. Michael and Leanne Thomas are African-American and Caucasian, respectively, and in their mid 50s. Although their ethnicities are different, they surprisingly have the same opinions on the rap vs. hip hop debate. Both see hip hop as storytelling and singing. Rap, on the other hand, is full of cursing and unrecognizable verses. When they think of hip hop, they see true artists and dance crazes. With rap, they see punks, thugs, and sagging pants. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas prefer hip hop to rap, but occasionally listen to old-school rap. We read what blacks and
whites think of these genres, but what about Hispanics? Asjah Jones, 20, is part Cuban and thinks there is no difference between hip hop and rap. She did, though, see rap the same way as the Thomas’: nothing but gangsters and swearing. When asked what she thought of hip hop, she said, “I think of Lauryn Hill, with all that ‘bopitty-be-bop.’” She doesn’t listen to either form of music, claiming “It’s just too ‘gangsta’ for me.” It looks like most people
recognize a difference between hip hop and rap music. But the difference is not only in the sound, but in the image. I had the feeling that older generations would shy away more from rap; it’s just too angry and gritty for them. Not everyone listens to hip hop though. Ethnicity doesn’t define who sees the split or not, it all depends on your personal viewpoints. Until there’s an actual rule, it’s true, hip hop and you don’t stop thinking about it.