Dare to Ask: How do hip-hop listeners define themselves?

By Phillip Milano

The Florida Times-Union

Question

What do young people who listen to hip-hop call themselves?

Melissa, white, Cincinnati

Replies

First, I don't think there is a term. Second, there is a distinction best described by the intellectual rapper KRS-One: "Rap is something you do, hip-hop is something you live."

Dave, 18, white, Chicago

We call ourselves hip-hoppers, the "Hip-hop Generation," Graf (Graffiti) artists, Writers, Bombers, D.J.s, Breakers, Dancers, Rappers, Fans, Artists, M.C.s, etc.

C.J., 22, black male, Los Angeles

We have no name that secludes us from a group; we just have the music that secludes us from a group.

Kelly W., 17, Fond du Lac, Wis.

Call them crap! Like the so-called music they hear.

John, Woodland, Wash.

Rappers, bassers and ballers.

Kathleen, 15, white, Hollywood, Fla.

Maybe some call themselves hip-hoppers, but I've never heard of it. Hip-hop artists are slowly losing their impact and not coming up with many relevant things to say, so many people who may have been big fans at one time (such as myself) are turning to other music.

Cellie-mil, 21, black, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Expert says

Our lifeline as we drift sadly in a sea of non-hipness or hopness about today's topic is Paul Hampartsoumian, founder of hiphop.com and photographer for 15 years for now-defunct "Hip-Hop Connection" magazine:

Because hip-hop is a cultural movement dating to the '70s, it's made up of many subcultures. Some people into the music and culture define themselves using terms like backpacker, conscious, gangster, true school -- though Hampartsoumian has a problem with that if it divides people. Some terms associated with hip-hop are mainly for people actively involved in it, like MC, B-Boy, DJ or Graffiti artist. These folks are not happy to just spectate because hip-hop itself attracts more participants than simply fans, he argues. Overuse of terms like gangsta, pimp, thug, etc., evokes images of violence or negativity. Afrika Bambaataa, the godfather of hip-hop, described it as being about "peace, unity, love and having fun." His '70s Bronx parties were aimed at bringing people together and tamping down gang rivalries. Lumping all hip-hoppers together is ignorant.

"Mass media has an infatuation with all things negative. It prefers to focus on the number of times a rapper got shot rather than some positive element of their lifestyle. Would-be rap stars see what gets the most attention and pursue it in search of the same. ... There are many participants in the success of an artist who can all share credit and responsibility, including the paying audience. It's not difficult to see why those who only take a cursory view of hip-hop might form a negative opinion."

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Phillip Milano, author of I Can't Believe You Asked That! (Perigee), moderates cross-cultural dialogue at Y? The National Forum on People's Differences. Visit www.yforum.com to submit questions and answers. Send general column comments to phillip.milano@jacksonville.com. You can also hear his podcasts or watch his TV spots.