Hip hop saved my life essay

In the Webster’s dictionary, Hip Hop is defined as a subculture of inner-city youth who are typically devoted to rap music. Hip Hop is more than a genre, it is a lifestyle. Hip Hop to me isn’t all about money, clothes, partying, violence, gangs, drugs, misogyny, weapons, sex, cars, jewelry as in bling- bling, guys or girls; it is much deeper than that.

It goes all the way back to my childhood when “ cats were spitting mad rhymes” over some beatboxing. Emcees came up with the most amazing lines, on the spot, and way more talented than today’s commercial rap. When I was going through some struggles, I’d put a Jay-Z or Lil Wayne song and I would get back on my feet knowing other people could relate to the drama that I was going through. Hip Hop to me means art, poetry, stories, uplifting encouragement, philosophy, values, language, music, fashion and much more. In life, everyone has hardships or obstacles to surmount. We find any way to help us survive or get through these situations.

During my third to fifth grade school years, I did not spend a lot of time interacting with other kids because I was told to be alone for not wanting to apologize for something I did not do and was blamed for. It is extremely difficult for me to continue to breathe but the words that Jay-Z spit in “ Hard Knock Life” has helped me overcome the feeling of being “ out of the society”. Therefore, Jay-Z helped me to realize that no matter how painful or difficult situations are, giving up is not in my blood and an option. I started to discover Hip Hop when I was around eight or nine years old from the television I saw. Ever since I first laid eyes on Hip Hop, I fell devoutly in love with it.

I am highly fascinated, intrigued, empowered, amazed, entertained, and drawn to it. For the first time in my entire life Hip Hop made me feel that I can automatically relate to and click with someone else regardless of their race or creed. Hip Hop is my medicine to my anger and is my drug that I do not want to sober from.

I found safety and comfort in Hip Hop because it listened to me without knowing and never judged me. People judge me by my outer cover, the way I think, when they see my hearing aids or see me speak with my hands. Hip Hop has not taught me right from wrong or wrong to right. I have learned that we need to accept people for who they are not only in the outside, but most importantly the inside. Hip Hop has given me knowledge that I need in school and life. It has taught me to mature when I seriously needed to change my attitude about life. Hip Hop has told me that I may be small in size but I have a big heart the size of the entire world. Out of my family, I am the only one who constantly listens to it.

They do not like it because of the negative perception many people assume it represents. Many people have made judgment on this genre without really giving it a chance and deeply understanding it.