Trinity of Hip Hop Music: The Old, the New, and the Unsigned

Hip hop has been in existence for close to 30 years, arguably making it the youngest genre in music history. But it really didn't break until the late 1980s, basing the music on the elements of the culture: "emceeing, deejaying, breaking, and graffiti." And from that point up to the mid-1990s, hip hop became a movement like no other with a plethora of artists, producers, and deejays bringing out a slew of audio masterpieces that painted pictures of everyday struggle and tragedy as well as the triumphs in "Urban America." Many enthusiasts and historians have referred to this period of time (1988-1996) as the "Golden Era of Hip Hop," and this era has been a muse of inspiration for all walks of life who have had the ambitions to grip the microphone, get behind two turntables and a mixer with crates full of vinyl, or break down pieces of cardboard just to put on the floor and spin around like a toy top.

The Halftime Hip Hop Show firmly believes that it is just as important to show support for the unknown, unsigned, and independent artist as it is to give a nod of love and respect to the pioneers who have paved the way and have acted as an influence to the these up and coming artists. It's not about what record label they were signed to, how many albums they have sold, or how many venues they might have sold out. All of that is irrelevant because at the end of the day, it's all about the music and just TALKING about these influences does not do enough justice especially when doing a hip hop show. People want to hear audio representations of influence to today's music, and playing these influences also acts a means of educating those who may be familiar with the music but not the actual culture. By signing this petition, you are concurring with the argument that in order to have a successful hip hop show, one must be able to incorporate the elements of the "Golden Era" with the new and the unheard and being able to play the influences without conflict. This is not just for the Halftime Hip Hop Show. This is not just for the Classic City Hip Hop Community. This is for being able to accept ALL aspects of hip hop (the ol skool, the new school, and the unsigned) in its truest and rawest form period.

"The ability to involve oneself with Hip Hop, to understand it
instinctually,...to be with the medium, is not something one can pick
up by a little attention or a casual listening. Hip hop is not just
about the music, it's the culture and most importantly it's A MOVEMENT
and it lives within everyone who has ever gripped a mic, scratched on
the turntables, danced on pieces of cardboard, or written their names in graffiti on the wall. ARE YOU A PART OF THE MOVEMENT?!"

-Akeeme "DJ BlacqueStarr" Martin (2007)