For over a decade we have lamented the loss of the originality of old that was seen as part and parcel of Hip Hop culture. Nasir Jones has even gone as far as to say that Hip Hop is dead… If you missed the memo here it is:
For all intents and purposes Hip hop HAS been dead, or perhaps just slumbering– waiting to be awakened by lovers of true innovation.
I will go out a limb and profess that I believe originality in Hip Hop is making a come back.
In fact, with each original act of creativity, Hip Hop culture is receiving some much needed CPR, and talented artists such as these guys MUST be credited with administering it:
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- Lupe Fiasco
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- Kanye West
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- Common
I know that proclaiming a Hip Hop revival is a hard sell, but if the return of Qtip, the much lauded precocious prince of Hip Hop is no indicator of the resurgence of trace elements of Hip Hop culture resurfacing, then take a look at the dance craze called “Getting Lite”. (It should be no surprise that the youth are at the helm of this cultural dance movement).
You will see that “Getting Lite” embodies the spirit of the break beat battles of old. In fact, one could characterize the dancing itself as a truncated and reformulated rendition of early forms of break dancing.
Notice how similar to a B Boy Battle these Getting Lite circles are…Each participant equipped only with their youthful bravado performs the movements in his or her own way.
The final posted clip currently has received close to 250,000 views on You Tube. Now that it has begun to circulate throughout user generated media, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes commemorated in more traditional media channels.
OH NO!!!!!! Do I hear Getting Lite the movie???
For all you grown up early adopters, make sure you try the dance at home before that unfortunate day occurs!
