Pioneering journalist and activist Harry Allen will lead a discussion on YouTube’s effect on Hip Hop this Sunday (June 9) at the Museum Of The Moving Image in the Astoria section of Queens, New York. “Hip Hop in the YouTube Age: How the Medium is Changing the Message” will explore “online video’s significant impact on Hip Hop culture.”
Allen intends to frame the conversation around five primary points: How YouTube allows for video formats that do not fit traditional television standards, its ability to empower artists and fans to interact with each other “more deeply,” the powerful corporate marketing opportunities available because of an increasingly visual Hip Hop, YouTube’s ability to serve as a mass archive, and the access YouTube provides for “White neophytes” and commentators to experiment with Hip Hop and join the cultural dialogue.
“Anything from ‘How To Rap’ videos, people talking how to rap and giving instructions on how to do so to the totally successful ‘Epic Rap Battles Of History,’” says Allen exclusively to HipHopDX, providing examples of neophytes joining the Hip Hop conversation. “These are things on the web that facilitate Hip Hop, but they are not people who are in any kind of mainstream of Hip Hop. They are kind of commentators off on the side who use Rap to either create YouTube content that they monetize or do so just because they’re fans. I see these things as new developments.”
When asked which current Hip Hop artists are maximizing the video opportunity provided by YouTube, Allen names Odd Future. “One thing that’s really shifted in terms of content and style in a video because of YouTube are music videos,” he says. “When I look at what Odd Future is doing, it’s almost like they’re using the web as a notepad. It’s almost like how in some homes a mother leaves a note on the refrigerator saying, ‘Do this. Your dinner’s here. I’ll be back at this time.’ They almost use the web in the same way, to leave notes about themselves. Then their music videos are just kind of TV-defying. They make videos that you can’t show on television…because of the blurs and edits. Not to mention the language, which is again a really big issue.”
In 1991, Harry Allen assisted Public Enemy in an online presence before publishing the print journal rap dot com in 1994. Also known as the “Media Assassin,” Allen appears on PE’s seminal 1988 track “Don’t Believe The Hype.” With KRS-One, Allen also co-founded the Rhythm Cultural Institute, an organization focused on creating a “Hip Hop Hall Of Fame.”
“Hip Hop in the YouTube Age: How the Medium is Changing the Message” will begin at 5pm EST on Sunday, June 9. The Museum Of The Moving Image is located at 36-01 35 Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. Visit MovingImage.us for more information.
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Prolly the best article I’ve read on this website in a long time, This is a very important topic, especially when it comes to how tarnished the message has become more than 25 years after hip hop’s conception. Kudos to mr. allen for his courage to open such a dialog, hopefully, alot more so called hip hop fans will be open to join in this discussion, especially those who troll hip hop sites such as this one. Alot to learn brothas, get your history and head straight. PEACE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsnAk6tjsts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W1tG-m4NSU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI-KjVLS6Uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXeKiIfRoTk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvX91x-zt_Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyWVf-mVVSQ
Proposed Strategy for The Establishment of Trayvons Law
CLICK ON THE LINK TO SIGN THE PETITION:
https://www.change.org/petitions/trayvon-s-law-4
Stanley E. Amos, M.Div.
Jackson, Mississippi 39213
TrayvonsLaw@aol.com
https://www.facebook.com/trayvons.law
https://www.change.org/petitions/trayvon-s-law-4
July 15, 2013
PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
TRAYVONS LAW
Many, nationally and internationally, are outraged by the sickening and senseless murder of Trayvon Benjamin Martin. We are equally outraged about the not guilty verdict. Organized rallies around the nation are symptomatic of what we think and feel in our minds and hearts. I firmly believe the rallies are a necessary expression and catharsis to aid in our state of sadness, disbelief, frustration and anger. I also believe that beyond the rallies, we must take the imperative action to seek a remedy. I propose this remedy to be entitled Trayvons Law.
Moving from rally to remedy, the initial strategy entails organizing a body consisting of at least four (4) or more entities. It is imperative to bring together the very best legal and political minds as well as the most effective strategist and organizers. First, the legal entity will comprehensively and critically analyze the Zimmerman case beginning with the mindset of Zimmerman to the reading of the verdict. It is imperative to consider what went wrong legally with this case as well as what is missing in current law that should be included to prevent this going forward. The legal entity will establish the language for Trayvons Law for the purpose of lobbying Congress for passage of a Federal law applicable at State level. Second, the political entity will develop an effective strategy to present and lobby Congress for the purpose of passage. The strategy must include the collaboration with like-minded legislators as well as an extensive media campaign. Third, a financial team must be established. The purpose will be, among other fiduciary responsibilities, to establish a national and international fundraiser. Funds will be used for the expressed purpose of financing expenditures required to implement Trayvons Law strategy. Fourth, the Communications team must be established. This teams purpose will be primarily to educate the public on the status of establishing Trayvons Law and about opportunities for public involvement. The establishment of a communications system should involve maximum and effective usage of social media.
Now is the time to act from inception to completion of Trayvons Law. We must not rest until Trayvons Law is a reality. We can no longer tolerate the injustices levied against us. We can no longer tolerate the devaluing of African-American lives. While this verdict makes it crystal clear that the current laws at work do not work for us, it begs the question, how long will we continue to argue that the laws were never designed to defend and protect us. We are at an amazing point in African-American history. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, we must make sure it is not a repetitive point. NOW IS THE TIME. If the laws exist, ENFORCE THE LAWS! If the laws are inadequate, CHANGE THE LAWS! If the laws are unfair and biased, REPEAL THE LAWS! If the laws are reasonable, APPLY THE LAWS EQUALLY! If there are disparities in the way justice is meted out, CHANGE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM ! If laws required to protect and defend us is non-existent, ESTABLISH NEW LAWS ! Emmett Till, Trayvon Martin and others can no longer speak for themselves. We must speak for them. Let us act now before another black person is racially profiled and their voice is senselessly silenced without consequences. So, today let us rally with maximum participation. Tomorrow, let us seek to stop this senseless cycle and establish Trayvons Law with unwavering determination and maximum involvement.
[PLEASE PASS THIS TO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS & OTHERS!!!]