Finding your passion using rap history

History is a documentation of past events in place and time. Poetry and arts is an expression of life and events from the perspective of the artists. Life's beauty is best seen, understood and appreciated from the standpoint of a storyteller. Most stories tell about the experiences and times of a particular people and experiences. The temptation is to ignore it, especially when one does not appreciate the art or understand how it works but the there is always beauty lurked in every thought, picture or story no matter how it is told and by whom it emerges.

Rap History

Based on a study by Oxford African American Studies Centre, hip hop emerged from a descent of black American and African traditions. It’s a link between Rap and West African griot tradition, where wandering storytellers use local history and vocal skills in telling a story - Carlos Wallace, Rap Quotes

What Rap Music Stood For

•    Expression:

It formed part of the struggles of people who wanted more out of life, from themselves and their environment. It also provided inspiration for others to follow.

•    Arts

Rap and Poetry require creativity and deep thinking to make a rhyme. It deals with issues and problems in life expressed through poetry and rap. Just like Jay-Z’s rap quote: “I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man!”

•    History

Rap music provided a platform for people to share experiences and stories of their history and routes. It helped to expose the world their genre in an unconventional way. It also contributed to educating those coming behind about their way of life.

“You could name practically any problem in the hood, and there'd be a rap song for you… A poet's mission is to make words do more work than they normally do, to make them work on more than one level.” ― Jay-Z, Decoded, Rap Quotes

Lesson to Learn From Rap History and Poetry

•    It’s a struggle

It’s a struggle just like everything else in life is. Your success purely depends on you fighting your way up.

•    Brings beauty out of the ugly

Life is beautiful, but people’s situations could be ugly sometimes. An understanding of where you want to be can motivate to take the steps needed to get there no matter what life throw at you.

•    Loyalty to Your Routes

You sometimes get help on your way up, appreciate and support those who helped you in your journey through life.

In all you do, like KRS’ rap quotes puts it; “love yourself and your expression, you can't go wrong.”