The 5th annual Hip-Hop Appreciation week kicked
off today (May 13-20). The event is designed to promote positively within the
hip-hop community. The week is also designed to continue decriminalizing hip-hop’s
‘s public image and promote the unity of "Hip-Hop" culture so that
Hip-hoppas may form a "Common Spirit" amongst each other.
In a statement on organizer Krs-One‘s
official site, templeofhiphop.org,
the aesthetics of the week are broken down.
Hiphoppa’s
Take this time to give thanks. Show gratitude toward others or toward your God.
Give encouragement; it matters!
At the very least:
-Thank a neighbor.
-Thank a single parent who tirelessly committed his/her self to his/her children.
-Thank your own parents or grandparents for their commitment to you.
-Thank a friend for their loyal friendship and support.
Emcees
Give thanks to those who have influenced you in the past. Donate money, clothing,
food or computers to your favorite charity as a form of gratitude.
Graf Artists
Include the dates of HIPHOP Appreciation week in your artwork. Take your crew
and visit a local school, prison or youth home to talk about gratitude. Design
flyers for HIPHOP Appreciation Week.
B-Boys/B-Girls
Talk to everyone you know about HIPHOP Appreciation Week. Take your crew and
visit a youth center or local school to educate them regarding B-Boys/B-Girls
and HIPHOP Kulture. Pass out flyers and information on HIPHOP Appreciation Week.
Deejays
Play more conscious Rap and classics. Showcase a specific artist that has influenced
your style. Give them public thanks. Include HIPHOP Appreciation Week information
in your mixtape info sheets. Talk to everyone you know about HIPHOP Appreciation
Week.
Radio stations
Upgrade your conscious Rap music programming. Have your mix show DeeJays cut,
scratch and play conscious Rap music classics. Have the visiting Rap artist
do radio drops in celebration of HIPHOP Appreciation Week™ with this year’s
theme of Gratitude. You can also do interviews on the techniques of settling
disputes, interacting with the youth of today, and domestic relations.
Television Stations
Upgrade your conscious Rap video programming. Produce or re-air shows that explain
the History of "Hip-Hop." You can air the following movies Wild Style,
Krush Groove, Beat Street and/or Rhyme and Reason. You can also do interviews
on Gratitude and the meaning of commitment.
HIPHOP and Rap Publications
You can interview HipHop’s originators on HipHop’s history, meaning and purpose.
Its been an estimated 32 years since the emergence of our modern HIPHOP expressions
and 23 years since the first major Rap recording. With this in mind, you can
give thanks to HIPHOP as the greatest inner-city strategy toward Health, Love,
Awareness and Wealth.
Internet subscribers
Those that have legitimate web sites, and would like to support HIPHOP Appreciation
Week™ can contact us.
Politicians and Government Officials
Support HIPHOP Appreciation Week™ by issuing a proclamation that recognizes
the third week of May as HIPHOP Appreciation Week™. You can
contact us for assistance with the proclamation’s language. Schedule public
appearances at any of our various lectures during HIPHOP Appreciation Week to
discuss the importance of "productive" HIPHOP
Educators and Student Groups
Hold discussions on the future of HIPHOP, HipHop’s kulture and HipHop’s expressions.
You can also organize lectures on the preservation of HIPHOP and its contribution
to popular kulture, worldwide. A discussion on HipHop’s African roots can also
be effective.
The Temple of HIPHOP has lecturers that can speak
on the subject. Elementary to High school students can do reports on issues
such as "Rap and its influence on youth," "Graffiti Art verses
Vandalism," "the responsibility of the Deejay," "When I
grow up, I want to be a Rapper, Breaker, Graffiti artist, Deejay, etc., and
why?" and "How HIPHOP has affected my family." The can also give
HIPHOP thanks through essay writing.
We also urge you to contact other HIPHOP organizations
such as Zulu Nation, the Rock Steady Crew, the Rap Coalition, Rhythm Cultural
Institute for more ways to show HIPHOP Gratitude.
News Media
Print, video and/or audio formats can alert the public before, during and after
HIPHOP Appreciation Week™ on our theme of "Gratitude." In addition
to our main theme of Gratitude, it is of great importance that you report the
fact that HIPHOP has taken an initiative to "clean its own act up."
Not that we are on a "bash gangster Rap crusade," but that some of
us have matured and would like to project a more responsible kultural image
to the public. Phone interviews can be scheduled.
Recording and Clothing Companies
Donate print advertisements in various HIPHOP and Rap magazines that salute
the importance of modern HIPHOP Kulture and advertise HIPHOP Appreciation Week™.
Raise funds to reproduce HIPHOP Appreciation Week literature, and next year’s
HIPHOP History Month literature. Put together a fundraiser for a local charity
giving thanks to HIPHOP Make sure your artists and employees get involved in
the weeks activities.
And Finally…
During HIPHOP Appreciation Week™ (May 13th-20st, 2002) Hiphoppas are advised
to lessen their intake of sugar, salt, dairy and flour.