Hip Hop`S Influence on Islam
Assignment #3
The Islamic Roots of Hip Hop Culture
In the following dissertation, some unfamiliar truths about hip hop`s interrelation and co-dependence with Islam will be uncovered and discussed incorporating well-known music paradigms and historical facts, in order to reveal the religions` influence and association with the genre of hip hop. There can be little doubt that hip hop music has evolved as a global phenomenon. It has become increasingly difficult to find countries, or even regional areas, whereby the music has not made an integral impression. The research suggests that hip hop has become a platform whereby certain communities have made their voices heard within the hip hop industry; that which is prevelent within the Islamic world. In order to better understand how this co-dependent relationship was cultivated between hip hop and the Muslim sects, we need to refer to the socio-economic situation of the muslim populace during the 1980`s. We will uncover to what degree hip hop was at the center of their existence and the facts which warrant this identity with this genre of music. This can be best described by Adisa Banjoko as stating, " Muslim influence was at the ground floor of hip hop." The unofficial ambassador of muslim hip hop goes on to say, "Hip hop came from the streets, from the toughest neighborhoods, and that`s always where Muslims were." (p 395). What is interesting to note that Naeem Mohaiemen suggested in the article, "Fear of a Muslim Planet: Hip-Hop`s Hidden History," is that the co-dependent connection between hip hop and the muslim populace emanated with the 5 Percenter sect and later grew to include the Nation of Islam (NOI), Sufi, and Sunni Islamisists. In keeping with our understanding about the connection of hip hop to Islam, It is essential to explore further the article outlined by Naeem Mohaiem regarding the 5 Percent Nation. This sect of Islam was founded by Clarence 13X in 1964 (p 401). As stated in the article, the
The Islamic Roots of Hip Hop Culture
In the following dissertation, some unfamiliar truths about hip hop`s interrelation and co-dependence with Islam will be uncovered and discussed incorporating well-known music paradigms and historical facts, in order to reveal the religions` influence and association with the genre of hip hop. There can be little doubt that hip hop music has evolved as a global phenomenon. It has become increasingly difficult to find countries, or even regional areas, whereby the music has not made an integral impression. The research suggests that hip hop has become a platform whereby certain communities have made their voices heard within the hip hop industry; that which is prevelent within the Islamic world. In order to better understand how this co-dependent relationship was cultivated between hip hop and the Muslim sects, we need to refer to the socio-economic situation of the muslim populace during the 1980`s. We will uncover to what degree hip hop was at the center of their existence and the facts which warrant this identity with this genre of music. This can be best described by Adisa Banjoko as stating, " Muslim influence was at the ground floor of hip hop." The unofficial ambassador of muslim hip hop goes on to say, "Hip hop came from the streets, from the toughest neighborhoods, and that`s always where Muslims were." (p 395). What is interesting to note that Naeem Mohaiemen suggested in the article, "Fear of a Muslim Planet: Hip-Hop`s Hidden History," is that the co-dependent connection between hip hop and the muslim populace emanated with the 5 Percenter sect and later grew to include the Nation of Islam (NOI), Sufi, and Sunni Islamisists. In keeping with our understanding about the connection of hip hop to Islam, It is essential to explore further the article outlined by Naeem Mohaiem regarding the 5 Percent Nation. This sect of Islam was founded by Clarence 13X in 1964 (p 401). As stated in the article, the