Today we’re gonna discuss the role of graffiti in hip hop culture.
It’s one of the four foundational pillars of hip hop culture.
There’s many moments in different industries that point to where this aspect in particular is valued and cherished among natives and visitors within the hip hop community.
I think of the clothing brand Ecko, a couple video games that specifically emphasizes this action and chooses to glorify this area.
So on and so forth.
It’s a point that continues to show itself as being embraced as the rest of hip hop in general continues to grow.
The Foundational Pillars of Hip Hop Culture
The four foundational principles of hip hop culture goes as follows: graffiti, emceeing, breakdancing, b-boying.
These are pillars that help identify the traits that make up the culture. They’re important to preserve and maintain because of the places that they excise to serve others that actually belong in hip hop.
Graffiti represents the visual artistry. You typically see this in the form of wall art, graphic design work, and I’d even argue tattoos in some cases.
Emceeing is the orator aspect of hip hop. You have to be able to communicate and lead with your voice. There’s no direction without this area having solid representation.
Beatboxing is that musical aspect that becomes the feel good part of what makes hip so special. Being able to make sounds with your voice is covering the musical language that could still communicate. If you think about it, it’s able to inspire and invoke conversations to happen when it’s being done.
B-Boying lastly is the dancing aspect. Again, it covers a metaphorical interpretation though literal movement. If you need to see this being done at a high level, check out some of the classic dance movies that’s based around hip hop and some R&B: Stomp The Yard, You Got Served, etc.