The Man Malcolm X

As I was driving to lunch today listening to one of ATLs few independent radio stations, WRFG 89.3, an interesting panel of hip-hop enthusiasts, artists, and critics were discussing if hip-hop would be different if Malcolm X was alive today. In case you didn't know, today is the anniversary of his assassination in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom. The conversation was up and down, filled with the usual 'hip-pop' discussion and how the music today lacks soul and humanity. But more interesting to me, is not the question of would hip-hop be different with Malcolm around, but what in hip-hop carries the vein of the black revolutionary ideal of Malcolm? What about hip-hop inspires masses of young and old, white, latino and black, to question the status quo of success and culture of white america? And last, how can hip-hop carry on the legacy of social and racial revolution, throwing off the yoke of poverty and declaring a new sense of pride and self in the inner city that Malcolm X championed in such an eloquent and powerful manner?

I in no way mean to answer all of these questions. They are far to large and complicated issues for this medium. Furthermore, I wouldn't really even know where to begin. But hip-hop is a culture unlike many before it, even unlike many musical forms created by previous generations of black americans. Hip-hop is or should be about real life and its struggles. Hip-hop is violent. Hip-hop throws down a gauntlet, and says 'If you don't like me, then fuck you.' Hip-hop is attitude and worldview. Hip-hop doesn't have black people trying to dress and look like white people, but has whites doing there damnedest to look like blacks. I think Malcolm X would love these things about hip-hop. But I also think that he would see missed opportunity for education and outreach within this most popular and serious of cultures. My only point here, is that I believe that we need to begin thinking about hip-hop as a political and social force again. These questions should be discussed and the meaning deliberated. This culture created by black americans in poor urban areas has traveled across the globe and become bigger than most could ever imagine. We shouldn't forget where it came from.

You grow in the ghetto, living second rate
And your eyes will sing a song of deep hate
-Grandmaster Flash, 'The Message' 1982 (Check out the whole song's lyrics, if i had the space i would have put them all there, this is just a taste.)