Like any other culture or history, it is essential for those interested to develop a reverence and appreciation for the days of old. Although everyone has their one interests and tastes, for too long supposed hip hop fans think they can just waltz into the culture and claim something that they have barely participated in or followed with conscious effort. As with other music genres, the greatest period of prosperity and influence is often a hot topic of debate.
If the 70s and 80s laid an undeniable foundation for hip hop, then the 90s was the skyscraper built on top of it. When many people my age think of the 90s, they tend to solely think of things like Nickelodeon and Sonic the Hedgehog. And while this is not entirely their fault, it annoys me when they sometimes expect me to view the 90s the same way. I view the 90s through a completely different lens, a lens founded upon hip hop and urban culture.
They say Power Rangers, I say Yo MTV Raps. They say Ninja Turtles, I say Fresh Prince or Martin. Get my drift? Some of my friends jokingly ask why am “old school”, but I proudly declare and profess my love for the 90s. There is no question that there are still talented artists in hip hop, its just that they have become increasingly more obscure and difficult to get into. The 90s were magical and the levels of creativity and variety have yet to be seen again in the world of hip hop. Hey, if people can obsess of Ancient Rome or the 1880s England, whats wrong with 90s hip hop?
