There are many new things I learned about hip hop after reading some of Can't Stop Won't Stop. What really astounded me was learning how Kingston, Jamaica played a part in the development of hip hop. I was not aware of this fact. Jamaica was enduring violence and political corruption. The disagreements and fights between two different political groups, the conservative Jamaica Labour Party and the leftist People's National Party put the new independent country in chaos. Gangs associated with the political parties caused people to live in fear. As a result of Jamaica's state, people in the communities created music to cope with their surroundings. Their lyrics talked about love and peace, war, having a good time, etc. In the words of PNP candidate, Michael Manley, reggae was described as "the people's language." Then there was the creation of dub reggae, which was described as the "B-side" to reggae. It is the other side of violence in Jamaica and opposite the side of socialists and Rasta prophets. Jamaica's music crossed over to places such as London and New York. It was not extremely popular, but it made an influence. DJ Cool Herc came from Kingston, Jamaica and brought his knowledge of the sound systems used in Jamaica to help jumpstart the music of hip hop.
After reading, I do see hip hop a little differently. I think it is more than what some people automatically judge it by: violence or anger. Hip hop emerged as a musical/artistic expression of youth that endured a very harsh environment. They lived in communities full of crime and poverty, and they were communities that the cities neglected. This is especially the case in hip hop's birth community, the South Bronx in New York City. When people live in poor conditions, they use art to express how they feel. The youth of South Bronx used the resources that they had to create hip hop.
A favorite song: May This Be Love-Jimi Hendrix http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N5NESVtmr8
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