OSG #5

Obscure Sub-Genre #5 - Crip Hop

When hip-hop and rap emerged in the late 70’s it was protest music. From the portrayals of inner-city hardship to the appropriation of the n-word, it disseminated messages of change, which soon caught wind and flew into mainstream consciousness.

As hip-hop (d)evolved into gangster rap, the ethos of positivity and improvement was lost, to the consternation of the older heads. Maybe the battle for equality has been won, signified by Obama’s election victory, yet a quick tour around any US city would illustrate that the ghetto is still a live concept in the 21^st Century.

It has then fallen to a group of people marginalised by mainstream America, to use the tools of hip-hop to voice their opinions, to change the way people view them and how people within the community view themselves.

Ladies and Gentlemen I bring you “Crip Hop”.

From The Spaz Kids’ “I Limpin’ But I Ain’t Been Shot” to MC Mong’s “Spittle Riddim” young people with disabilities have been dropping rhymes and beats to devastating effect and illuminating minds from both within and outside the disabled community.

Crip Hop is a positive musical force that you need to jump on quick y’all.