“Nas' Illmatic blew my mind when I first heard it. The poetry was done on such a high level that in a way, it validated our existence, our culture. He used the language of the street at the time and made it art. Art tends to be validating.” WayMindFirstsArtMadeDoneUsedCultureLanguageLevelsExistenceHeardStreetsMade ItHigh LevelIllmatic Author:Erik Parker
“Hip hop is still strong. As an art form, music helps people express themselves, find meaning in their own lives and connect with their tribes.” PeopleArtStillsHelpingFormStrongHip HopHipsHopsTribesFind Me Author:Erik Parker
“Older generations can sometimes look down on today's hip hop but I refuse that mindset. I remember how hurt I was when older people told me that Run-D.M.C. was jungle music or that it was not music at all. Or that LL Cool J was not art.” PeopleLooksArtSometimesRunningTodayRememberHurtGenerationsHip HopRefuseMindsetHipsHopsJungleOlder PeopleOlder Generation Author:Erik Parker