Late September into early October is the time of year for recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. The Latino and Hispanic American community has made many contributions for the betterment of America. Originally, it started out as a week-long celebration in 1968. Two decades later it became a month-long celebration, declared by President Ronald Reagan.
The reason Hispanic Heritage Month starts in the middle of September, is because it coincides with independence of countries like Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile and others.
We can see the added value in education, music, food, and the entertainment industry. The contributions by the Hispanic and Latino culture go hand-in-hand with the success of America.
This post was originally published in September 2022 on Inspire By O’Nika
September 15th is World Afro Day. Embrace those curls and natural hair. Let your coils, twists, braids, locks and afro shine. Wear your style proudly. Natural hair has a story and it is not just about the aesthetics. Although, it doesn’t hurt. It’s about much more. Think culture and history.
Black people and some people of mixed-race who wear their natural hair have faced discrimination because of their hair texture. Michelle De Leon started World Afro Day back in 2017. It is a cause to raise awareness and to educate about afro-centric hair. Society has instilled shame on people who have kinky or tight curly hair. It has long been a thing that if you had “textured” hair that you should implement some kind of straightening. Methods such as using a hot comb to straighten hair, or applying chemicals like Vigorol liquid, and relaxers are used.
These methods are harmful because there is risk of burning the scalp and skin. Not to mention, the long-term effects of the chemicals in these straightening products. Some people felt like they had to conform to societal pressures in order to get hired for a job. Also, to feel accepted.
Women from some Hispanic cultures, like the Dominican Republic also are stigmatized for having curly hair. They have faced pressures to have bone straight hair; hence the blow out styles. These blow outs use excessive heat which can have lasting damage to hair.
On World Afro Day, show your pride for afro hair. Post pictures on social media or share your hair experiences with others. The more people who understand about the afro hair culture the more will accept and embrace it. Rock those afro puffs, cornrows, box braids, afro or whatever style you wish! Because you can!
If you are from the Jersey or New York scene and of a certain age, then you know there was a lot of great music from those times. Also, some movies influenced and helped bring recognition to the hip hop culture of the 80s and 90s.
Think back to Krush Groove, Breakin, Juice, Beat Street, Wild Style, New Jack City just to name a few. Back in the days of the 80s and 90s we also had break dancing, roller skating, and a host of other things that came together with the music. I mean skating with 4 wheels, 2 in the front and 2 in the back. Not the in-line skates. We listened to music on a beat box- a big radio that had a handle on top to carry around on the block or to take outside and sit on the steps. Also, we had what was called a walkman- which was a portable music player. We played music on cassette tapes and vinyl records. CDs came on the scene later on down the line.
When I think back to hip hop music of the 80s and 90s these names come to mind:
LL Cool J-14 Shots to the Dome
MC Lyte-Lyte As a Rock
3rd Bass-The Cactus Album
De La Soul- 3 Feet High and Rising
Chubb Rock- And the Winner is
EPMD- Strictly Business
Channel Live ft. KRS One- Mad Izm
Big Daddy Kane-Ain’t No Half-Steppin’
Mobb Deep-Survival of the Fittest
Cypress Hill-Black Sunday
Special Ed-I Got It Made
Big Pun -Still Not a Player
Queen Latifah-All Hail the Queen
King Sun- Righteous But Ruthless
Mad Lion- Take It Easy
Salt N Pepa-Hot Cool Vicious
Lil Kim-Hard Core
Foxy Brown- Ill Na Na
Brand Nubian-One For All
Nice and Smooth-Nice & Smooth
Run DMC-Tougher Than Leather
Onyx-Bacdafucup
Method Man- Tical
Public Enemy-Don’t Believe the Hype
Fat Joe- Jealous One’s Envy
DMX-It’s Dark and Hell is Hot
Mary J Blige-What’s the 411?
Missy Elliott- Supa Dupa Fly
The Notorious BIG- Ready to Die
Craig Mack- Flava in Ya Ear
The Lox- Money Power Respect
Nas- It was Written
Eric B and Rakim-Paid in Full
Jay Z-Reasonable Doubt
Snoop Doggy Dogg-Doggystyle
Tribe Called Quest-Bonita Applebum
KRS One-Return of the Boom Bap
Dr. Dre- The Chronic
Eminem-Slim Shady LP
Back in those days there was a sense of community. You could go out for the day with your family and hear some good music in the street. People would be on the train and bus with their boom box and you can jam all day long, no matter where you went. In Washington Square Park in NYC, you would see people out there skating, some with their headphones on and others listening to people playing music on buckets with their sticks. Families just out taking in the sounds and sights.
Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ was another place where you could go and chill with your family. Take in the view of the water, Staten Island Ferry and Lady Liberty. You could also find good street food back in those days too. Think Sabrett Hot Dogs and Grape soda.
Another place to go to hear good music was Exchange Place or the Waterfront in Jersey City. Also, on the water. It was much smaller but still you could get a good vibe and hear people playing music out there too.
Lastly, Central Park in NYC you could go there and walk around. Hear music, see people on their skates and riding bikes. Just having a jam session all day.
You didn’t even have to get on the train or bus, you can go on the block and hear some head bangers. If the music wasn’t coming from somebody’s radio you would hear it in cars driving by. It was an experience back in the 80s and 90s.
If you don’t know these artists, please look them up and listen. A lot of this music is still relevant today.
Hip hop music today is not the same. There is a lot of what I call “mumble rap”. Not to say that there aren’t some new artists out there that are good but it is just not the same.
RESPECT
Rest in peace to the ones who left their stamp on the Hip Hop Music Culture:
Jam Master Jay
Prodigy
ODB- Ol’ Dirty Bastard
Craig Mack
Biz Markie
Biggie
2 Pac
Big Pun
Phife Dawg
DMX
My memory is only but so long, so no dis to anyone that I forgot. If you can think of someone not on the list, leave a comment and let me know.
