“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” ― Bob Marley
a brief history of hip hop & rap
Hip-Hop emerged in the 1970's upon the arrival of a one Kool DJ Herc. Kool DJ Herc migrated to the United States from Kingston, Jamaica and settled in the West Bronx of New York. Rap is actually a very old word. You can find the term popping up as early as the 15th and 16th century in Britain. In America around the 1960’s it began to pop up in the black community and was used as a slang word to mean that someone was talking or having a conversation.
The rap and hip hop worlds have been fortunate to be graced by game changer artists such as Tupac Shakur, Doug E Fresh, Dr. Dre and Christopher Wallace to name a few. Emerging artist, Mirz is looking to change the rap and hip hop world in similar ways as the previously mentioned artists. Have a look around and familiarize yourself with Mirz: the artist, the lyricist and the music.
Hip Hop and Rap and its accompanying culture is such a powerful tool. Many hip hop purists, enthusiasts and lovers alike, myself included have come to despise the fact that most commercial rap music promotes negative images and messages and offers little substantial value and a platform to relate to. Many people, not unlike myself, have turned to hip hop and rap music as an outlet, an escape and a weapon when necessary. I’ve seen first hand how mainstream rap impacts young impressionable minds. If abused it can be quite disheartening.
Today's rap that glorifies irresponsible and criminal behavior and unfortunately that has become the soundtrack of an overwhelming amount of the daily lives of black youth. The industry is yearning, so desperately for an artist to "keep it real" without glorifying the horrors of gun violence, promiscuity, unsafe sexual practices and illegal activity. We are long overdue for a refreshing artists who isn't afraid to break away from this pattern of ignorant normalcy.
Emerging new rapper, Mirz, is THAT artist. While some of his lyrical expressions are indicative of common themes found in modern rap and hip hop, he is a multi-faceted artist rooted in diversification; from his realness, enticing beats, vulnerability and lyrical expression, he has all of the tools necessary to revitalize, reenergize and rejuvenate the rap and hip hop game as we know it.