Jazzalude III: Hip Hop As A Way Of Life

Yo, hip-hop is a way of life
It ain't a fad, it ain't a trend
Not for those of us who are true to it
It's reflected in our slang, in our walk and in our stance
In our dress and in our attitude
Hip-hop has a history and origin and a set of principles
Including rules and regulations
That a lot of these new kids overlook nowadays

The music itself acts as a safety valve in society
If there was no hip-hop music
There would be much more chaos in the street than we have now
It's our way to release tension
To let out the frustration that young people face in the world today

Over the years, hip-hop has evolved to represent what is happening now
The reality of street life
Rap is the oral expression of this
The tool, the literature
Hip-hop is the lifestyle, the philosophy
And even the religion, if I may
Just as jazz has had its own culture, rap music has its own culture
Which we proudly call hip-hop

Although the music and lifestyle is now propagandized by the media
And is now exploited by big business
It will still remain for some of us as the raw essence of life

Peace