Inside the EMP

Simply put it is a Way of Life

By: Ladessa Cobb - ladessa@seaspotmediagroup.com

Hip-Hop, a culture; a culture where its inhabitants protest, "This is one of the last things we can call our own." And African Americans declare "They all want to be like the have nots." The bottom line is Hip-Hop is bigger than anyone ever imagined and you can't present the world with such phenomenon and not expect some of everyone to want a piece.

Friday night, I was at the Experience Music Project for the Hip-Hop party sponsored by the Wing Luke Museum and a host of others. The atmosphere was very reminiscent to the days of the Mix-A-Lot parties at the Exhibition Hall. The only thing missing was Darnell and Sam from PPIA.

I played the background to make sure I used my honest opinion about the night's talent. But from the moment the music began to play it was like a synergy hit the room. People hit the dance floor and I thought I was watching "Breakin' 2003". The first dance troop to perform was "Breakin Point." Their performance was instep and done with much precision. The bulk of their routine was performed to songs from Lil Kim's "Labella Mafia." Songs you would have never thought were party anthems had the whole crowd hollerin' and bouncing' to "If you don't stop, this is woman's threat"{track nine} and of course "East coast, west coast world wide, right right."

The five folds of Hip-Hop were defiantly represented this night, I watched as the ladies showed up wearing the latest fashions and the guys rocking baggy pants, throwbacks, Kangols, Adidas warm-ups, Pumas and shell-toes. I played the background in efforts to soak up all that was going on. I watched and listened as the N(s) with the A(s) at the end were being thrown about as though it were second nature. I initially was shocked because the crowd was ninety-five percent Asian. But I had to realize right, wrong, ignorant or indifferent the "word" is apart of the culture.

Another dance troop "Breed" also preformed and they were truly one of the highlights of the night. But unlike the previous group they came to speak to the crowd not just entertain them. The emotion in each one of their faces and the choice of songs they performed to were designed to keep your attention.

The cream had risen to the top as the "West coast Guitar Center" turntable champion hit the ones and twos. Dj Turbulence from Power 106 fm in Los Angeles turned the party out. His mixin was good and on point but his scratchin took you back to the days of Herbie Hancock. A Dj out of New York was actually supposed to be in attendance but the power outage let us keep it straight west coast. The night ended with cliques of people planning to be at the Showbox showcase the next night. I too was so hyped about the night I planned to take some young kids to the showcase the next day.

With Hip-hop having come so far the next generation is rarely introduced to the origins of the culture. Little do they know the "Bling" era has just recently become a fringe benefit to the culture. Hip-Hop comes from a generation of people making moves all on their own. The dancers and the music talent fascinated the kids. With the "Beyonce" being the most popular dance out right now. It was pleasing to see the kids in awe of the fact that dancing in the hip-hop world is more than booty shaken; it's an expression all its own. The theme of both nights was truly "Asian Soul".

Coming in from the intermission I thought Jahiem had made a special drop in but it was one of the members of Kube 93's DJ XTC's new quartet performing. They were the highlight of the night for me. As the crowd grew the party atmosphere was in play and it was time to end the Hip-Hop history lesson. Again I will say the weekend's events were confirmation no matter how elaborate and luxurious Hip-Hop becomes. There'll always be someone around to make sure we don't forget where we come from. Hip-Hop in all of its five folds has proven to be the only culture that has truly crossed all color lines. "Simply put it's a way of life."