I received an email last night from someone claiming to be part of the “Myanmar Future Generation” who had several questions about hip-hop. The email follows:

“I like hip hop but i really doesn’t know how rappers became outcast from the communities. I really want to know about people who like hiphop and like rock. I hate rock music but i never say negative emotional expression. Can i know what is hiphop ? what is the real life of hiphop? And how hiphop makes people to enjoy? That’s all!”

I was amazed when I did a little research following this letter. Mynamar, also known as Burma, is a country in Asia that has been under strict military control for more than 40 years. During that time, the military has brutally and effectively destroyed the people’s civil rights, including ethnically cleansing minorities, creating a huge slave labor force, and silencing any form of dissent, including political hip-hop groups.

The Mynamar Future Generation is a group of Burmese in exile who make hip-hop music that is highly critical of the country’s political system and military junta. They currently have an album for download on their unofficial website.

I am amazed that such human rights violations continue to take place in the world, and that the so-called defender of democracy and civil rights, aka the United States of America, uses its military to secure a steady flow of oil instead of helping people that are oppressed and enslaved by their own government. And even more so, I am amazed that these atrocities are not reported by our media, who instead opts to tell lies about our current administration and its war, so that Americans may never know the truth about what is happening all over the world. In truth, it sickens me.

In any case, below is what my response was to the above questions. I hope that I did an okay job reflecting the meaning of hip-hop to a person who might never have the ability to experience it first hand.

Thank you for your letter. You have some good questions here, most of which I am probably not qualified to answer. I agree, that rappers are often outcast from their communities. I believe this is because the music often represents revolutionary ideals that are frowned upon by the majority class.

I love hip-hop, but I don’t hate rock. I don’t listen to rock, but I can understand people’s attraction to it, and feel that any type of music can serve to educate and inspire.

What is hip-hop? To be honest with you, I don’t know exactly. I think hip-hop means something different to everyone, based on their own past and experiences. I think it can create problems when people attempt to define hip-hop, because that definition is different to everyone who loves and appreciates it. Hip-hop fans need to be more open minded, and realize that it belongs to everyone … not just them. I think that is why it touches so many people, because it can relate to so many different lifestyles and upbringings.

I believe Mos Def said it best …

“You know what’s gonna happen with Hip-Hop?
Whatever’s happening with us.
If we smoked out …
Hip-Hop is gonna be smoked out.
If we doin’ alright …
Hip-Hop is gonna be doin’ alright.
People talk about Hip-Hop like it’s some giant livin’ in the hillside coming down to visit the townspeople.
We are Hip-Hop.
Me, you, everybody.
We are Hip-Hop.
Hip-Hop is goin’ where we goin’.
So the next time you ask yourself where Hip-Hop is goin’ … ask yourself …
Where am I goin’?
How am I doin’?
Til you get a clear idea.”

Thank you for your letter. I hope this helps.

PEACE