Hip-hop is one of the most important musical and cultural creations of the 20th century. Rap music, a dominant element of hip-hop culture, originated in the Bronx as an art form in the 1970s. The other main elements include DJing or turntablism, a form of dance known as breaking, and graffiti, an artistic form of writing typically displayed as public art. Knowledge is the fifth element, which has been largely overlooked during the early years of the 21st century. As the musical expression of black and Latino youth through rap became more commercialized and elevated, the other forms were marginalized. However, there are still a few artists who continue making thought-provoking lyrics.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the genre was dominated by groups such as Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions (featuring KRS-ONE), Brand Nubian, Eric B. and Rakim, and other conscious rap artists. It was common to see young people wearing Malcolm X medallions, African dashikis, and speaking powerful phrases like “word is bond,” which is a philosophy of life, not a mere catchphrase. Today, the youth have been conditioned through the music (and TV, movies, and all forms of message-conveying entertainment) to avoid self-empowering phrases. Fortunately, Chance the Rapper and Kendrick Lamar are among the artists making sure knowledge is not lost among the youth in this current era.
My group, The Awesome Crew, was formed in the early 1980s when MCs were defined by lyricism and street credibility earned through battles. Rap was still heavily rooted in R&B as it was growing into a recorded musical art instead of impromptu displays of wit and quick thinking. Thus, we would rap, sing, write, and compose our own music. We even experimented with different genres to show our versatility. We stressed having fun, but knowledge was always embedded in our music. Like any professional who's dedicated their life to their craft, we still record new music. To be clear, we are not trying to bring back the old way; instead, we create music that has evolved but never lost its identity – especially representing the culture and spreading knowledge. This blog is a reflection of that position. The forgotten fifth element needs a voice. The Fifth Element's mission is to advocate for spreading wisdom and knowledge throughout the worldwide culture. Knowledge is the glue that holds all of the elements together as one cohesive unit. Without a philosophy, there is no culture. Welcome to The Fifth Element.