My Thoughts…Exactly

Hip Hop Comes Full Circle March 1, 2006

What was once considered a passing fad or a craze within the inner city and impoverished black youth has now become an exhibit of historical significance according to the Smithsonian Museum of American History.

Hip-hop music and culture was once an unassuming but lyrically potent poetic form of rebellion.  A form of rage against the state of urban America. 

Almost thirty years later, hip-hop has become a staple of American pop culture.  Even suburban adolescents can recite rap lyrics, or identify Fifty Cent. 

It is fitting that the Smithsonian would provide an exhibit celebrating hip-hop especially because it has become a mainstay in American culture–a pop culture phenomenon if you will.

In part Smithsonian is giving credit where credit is due, but as an institution displaying American Culture, it would be remiss for the organization to disregard hip-hop as so many from the past have done. 

I was interested not only in hearing about the exhibit, but I found myself compelled to visit it once it was opened.  Not only to reminisce about the music I grew up with, but also to pay homage to what was once compared to a passing craze like the “Pet Rock,” or “Beanie Babies.”