Discussion Panel- Brenna Munoz
In this week's reading, Thill argues, “Hip-hop art is way bigger than rap music, and in fact it is probably one of the biggest arts movements in the last few decades.” This statement implies a distinction between rap music and Hip-hop, and raises questions regarding what it is that sets them apart. Before this week’s panel discussion, I would have jumped to the conclusion that these two are one in the same. However, by observing the explanations offered by the expert panelists my original assumption proves to be very wrong. Hip hop is more than just a genre of music; Hip-hop is a culture. This culture, like that of many others, is one that strongly revolves around the idea of expression. This expression is multidimensional and can be observed through fashion, style, language, music, lyrics, graffiti, literature, and various arts. The experts explained this by describing the original dynamics of hip-hop as a combination of various expressions, and rap or lyricism being just one of these pieces that make up a total package of hip-hop.
Instead of limiting our understanding of this rapidly rising culture to stereotypical views such as the violent lyrics found in some “rap” songs, it is important to start thinking critically about this evolving culture, digging deeper than just the surface and finding the roots of this culture and examining it from several dimensions; something that is more commonly being done by academic institutions all over the country. By just one discussion, we are aready forced to think critically and have learned such basic things that might have been previously falsified, such as the distinction between hip-hop and rap music, and are significantly more well aware of the various dimensions that make up this cultural movement and the way it affects various aspects of popular culture, society, and even politics.