The Affects Of My Brain On 1980s Hip-Hop Music

I was raised on 1980s hip-hop music that made its way to the urban cities of northern Illinois not long after the culture of hip-hop was born. I am a year younger than hip-hop. As it flew through radio stations and early music stores to my neck of the woods, I was fortunate to learn of its magic and prowess as a young lad in Rockford, IL.

Thanks to my older brothers, my twin brother and I had early access to hip-hop music’s poetic storytelling and hard-hitting sonic beats pumping through boom box speakers. Before I dive deeper into this revolutionary music, I would like to say that I was guilty as a toddler writing lines in the encyclopedias my mother bought for the household, which I count as my earliest strides at being creative.

When I saw young Black women and men bobbing their heads to this new music that had found its way to us, I knew there was something going on. The development of boom boxes in our communities and neighborhoods was enough for me to realize something special was going on and I was going to be a part of that special. Decades later, I can say I followed the masters of the lyrical arts — early rap groups like Run-DMC, Whodini, and the Fat Boys.

I am sitting in my fifth-grade classroom. Several of us young men are scribbling lines, rap lines, on college-ruled paper. We were struck by the abilities of Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, and LL Cool J — how they could write rhymes and display them over hip-hop beats. We were encouraged by their gritty New York rhymes and storytelling to do the same.

By the time I was ten years old, I had the same ability as those rappers did. The method, the placement of words, the storytelling — it came to me very easily and naturally. Because I listened intently to what 1980s rappers were doing, I picked up on the same creative energy and vibes. I knew I had to do the same things they were doing. It was a calling.

I would sit in my room meditating on how prolific wordsmiths put poems with rhythm over beats. No one could have diverted my attention to this creativity if they tried. As I was a fan, I was also making my own way in the literary arts. I charted my own path and developed my own style and skills as a rapper, an MC, and a poet. The connection I had to music transformed who I was — turned me into who I am supposed to be.

1980s hip-hop music, the foundation for all of what we are hearing now, elevated my thinking ability. Creativity makes you smarter. Creativity encourages you to learn. Creativity, especially if you are writing a conscious rhyme, encourages you to do research. All of the Egyptian Kings, women such as Harriet Tubman and Fannie Lou Hamer, the Civil Rights Movement or the Black Arts Movement — you must research to place these remarkable people and amazing events into your rhymes and songs.

I am a better human being because of 1980s hip-hop music and because of a lot of the hip-hop music that has come after it. The music, thanks to rappers like KRS-One, Poor Righteous Teachers, Queen Latifah, and X-Clan, has taught me about the qualities of being a righteous and liberatory human being. In turn, their music has helped me become more compassionate and outspoken when it comes to poverty, racism, sexism, or economic injustice.

The popular song “The Message” written by Mele Mel showed me you could write about the ills of ghetto life and speak truth to what is happening to Black and brown families and communities. As I soaked in the lyrics of the song, I could relate because some of the same things were going on with the people I grew up with and around.

I am forever moved and changed by 1980s hip-hop music. My brain thinks in rhythms, in rhymes, in visuals. I grasp concepts quickly because of the way my brain works. I appreciate all forms of art. I can teach through my artistic abilities and skills. When walking into art galleries, I welcome all that visual art is trying to teach me. I am able to encourage young people to be creative and use their creative gifts to go after their dreams and goals.

I am very thankful for the culture of hip-hop has taught me as a whole, but I am very, very thankful I was introduced to hip-hop music in the 1980s.