How did I first get introduced to Hip-Hop?

One of my earliest memories of Hip-Hop is still a bit vague. My brother, who is a little older than me, was always busy on the computer. These were the early days of the internet, but he already knew his way around the online world. Back then, there were, and probably still are, countless illegal programs that allowed you to download music. Think of Napster, Kazaa, and eMule.

My brother mainly listened to 2pac, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg. The music sounded cool and the artists were tough. One day, my brother had found a new artist; a protégé of Dr. Dre. His name was Eminem. Who was this artist? What were these bizarre rhymes? My brother and I thought it sounded awesome, but we had absolutely no image of the rapper behind the music. At that time, it wasn’t so easy to just look something up. Rap music was, and still is, a predominantly Black-dominated genre. So we simply assumed Eminem was a Black man.

When we saw him for the first time in the music video of Dr. Dre’s “Forgot About Dre,” we were shocked. We had never seen anything like it before. But Eminem was, and still is, good, so this fact didn’t change our perception of him at all.

From that point on, I consumed more and more Hip-Hop. Artists like Xzibit, Nelly, and 50 Cent followed. My love for Hip-Hop was a fact.

Hip-Hop tag - Photo by Dima Junglist on Unsplash

How has Hip-Hop influenced me?

Throughout my school years and life, Hip-Hop has always been a constant presence. As a true ’90s kid and millennial, it also helped that the genre was rapidly rising in popularity at the time.

Hip-Hop is a genre in which expressing your emotions is often central. Although it is frequently seen as a genre dominated by macho culture, there are many sensitive subjects being addressed. A recurring theme is the “struggle” rappers go through. This can be a struggle from their youth, or one within their current careers, where they often receive fewer opportunities than artists in other genres.

A powerful aspect of these themes is that people can often recognize themselves in the stories and emotions. The music resonates with the listener and immediately creates a bond. When you go through a difficult period as a child, it can be comforting to hear a rapper translate his pain and emotions into music.
I dare say that through rap music I have been able to greatly develop my sense of empathy. It has also made me more worldly. The world is not black and white, and every person carries their own baggage, regardless of background, environment, or social class.

What do I find most beautiful about Hip-Hop?

What I find most beautiful about Hip-Hop is its ingenuity. Rap music is a genre that originated in the American inner city The Bronx, an area marked by poverty and underprivileged youth. Yet it was precisely these underprivileged young people who, through creativity and innovation, created a genre that sounds fresh and new, while at the same time giving a big nod to the past.

One of the greatest examples of this is the “art of sampling.” You take something old, reuse it, and put it in a new jacket. Some people experience this as stealing or laziness. However, the more you learn about sampling, the more you understand how creative you have to be to even make something like that work. A visit to Whosampled.com will teach you that the strangest, most obscure tracks or sound bites are used as samples.

A side effect of sampling is that a previously unknown artist sometimes, decades later, finally receives their props for the music they created. These artists experience their second, or sometimes even first, wave of popularity.

Another aspect of Hip-Hop that I find very beautiful is the art of storytelling. While listening to a rap track, you can sometimes be completely pulled into the story you’re hearing. In a way, it’s almost like listening to an audiobook. One rapper needs only a few words to convey a story and emotion, while another can still overwhelm you years later with intricate technical rhyme structures.

Sometimes you listen to Hip-Hop for the feeling; sometimes purely for the technical skill. In both cases, it gives you goosebumps.

What is my drive?

I created the platform Enhanced Hip-Hop because I believe there isn’t enough love for the genre and the impact it has had on the world. With Enhanced Hip-Hop, I want to bring together all lovers of Hip-Hop who share this love and passion for the genre.

Hip-Hop has a cultural impact and is regularly referenced in movies, series, and games. Conversely, many references are made in rap music that point to well-known films, series, and games, creating a beautiful overlap.

Last but not least, over the years Hip-Hop has also had a major influence on the streetscape and I’m not just talking about graffiti. In terms of fashion, there have been decades in which almost every kid wore baggy pants or a certain type of shoe popularized by rappers. In addition, the so-called “streetwear” look emerged, where urban clothing such as sports brands like Adidas, Nike, and Fila are combined with bomber jackets, overalls, and many other forms of casual wear.

Welcome to Enhanced Hip-Hop.