From its genesis, Hip Hop has been a vehicle of expression and liberation for oppressed peoples. Disenfranchised youth in the development-torn 1970s Bronx responded to the economic violence imposed upon their neighborhoods through occupation. Youth occupied vacant buildings, walls, and subway trains with their art work. Entire communities occupied city streets and other publically owned spaces with massive parties and parks jams, powered by occupied electricity, siphoned from street lights. It was in these acts of occupation that the elements of Hip Hop, b-boy/b-girling, graffiti, DJing, and emceeing emerged and spread. Gangs were unified, communities were built, and a new globally recognized culture was founded.
Although since then, Hip Hop has experienced commoditization by corporate and capitalist interests, there still thrives a vast and rapidly growing network of artists of every gender, race, class, and age, who remain dedicated to its revolutionary roots. It is this sleeping giant that is awakening to energize and shape the recent occupation movement, and give voice to the voiceless. The struggle is “Bigger than Hip Hop,” but through this culture, we can galvanize, uplift, and provide collective vision for the future.
Already, well-known artists are stepping out to endorse occupy actions in cities all over the country. Bun B, Kanye West, Immortal Technique, Rebel Diaz, Talib Kweli, Sole of Anticon, Lupe Fiasco, Jasiri X, Paradise Gray, and even Russell Simmons have come out and declared their support for the principles of this growing movement. But beyond celebrity endorsements, we believe the real strength of Hip Hop Occupies lies in the grassroots, local artist communities, who have the potential to fortify, shape, and bring clarity to occupy actions in their regions. In this leaderless era, we must all lead to achieve a better, more just world.
