The material contained herein is business confidential information of the redd group inc, and may not be used or copied without the prior written permission of the redd group inc. (c) This was written for a professor in Latin America Study.

1. Tell it Like it is
Latoya Rogers
The “Afro-Columbization” of
Hip Hop and Discourses on
Authenticity by Christopher
Dennis
• The material contained herein is
business confidential information of the
Redd group inc, and may not be used
or copied without the prior written
permission of the Redd group inc

2. Introduction to Hip Hop 101
• Hip hop is generally defined as the
culture, styles and discourses, while rap
refers to the music, considered to be one
of the four pillars of hip hop culture:
break dancing, Djing, Mcing(rap), and
graffiti.
RESISTENCIA: HIP HOP IN COLOMBIA
Resistencia offers a rare look at the Hip Hop street
Subculture in civil war-torn Colombia, while at the same
time exploring how traditional Latino music is being infiltrated
by rap. http://www.hiphopfilmfestival.com/film_resistencia.php
"Whoever likes my stuff, likes my stuff. But just know Slim Shady is hip-hop. I grew up
on hip-hop, it's the music I love and it's the music I respect. I respect the
culture...that's me." - On the hip-hop culture -Eminem

3. Where it originated
Krs quote; And a lot of people caught offense to that: "What do you mean you are Hip-
Hop?" Obviously, that was not my point of view - that I alone, am Hip-Hop and no
one isn't. The point was that I declared that I am not just doing this art-form,
representing Hip-Hop like it's over there somewhere - distant from myself, I Am Hip-
Hop. Hip-Hop is my being! Hip-Hop doesn't happen until I do it. And that goes for
others. ---KRS1 Word Perfect Inner-view www.rapnewsdirect.com
• From a cultural and musical practice among
African American and Hispanic youth in the
Bronx, hip-hop has become a global signifying
practice providing new parameters of meaning to
locally and/or nationally diverse social groups.
To look up a time line for where Hip Hop started go
to;Experience Music Project: Hip Hop Timeline –go to on webpage to hip hop
timeline
http://www.emplive.org/exhibits/index.asp?articleID=664

4. How hip hop Assimilated into Columbia
• This is the initial emergence of hip hop into Columbia often had less to do
with the development of global communication systems and the marketing
and exportation of U.S. pop culture, and more to do with a combination of
unique processes of migration flows and direct cultural contact.
• The nature of hip hop in Columbia dramatically changed in the 1990’s when
the Us entertainment industry began to intensify the global promotion and
exportation of U.S. hip hop and rap through music markets, radio, television
and cinema, largely aided by the advancements and growth of mass
communication systems. Nowadays, for example, most CDs are not
imported, but instead mass-produced in Columbia by outsourced distribution
companies. This explains why the influx of Us rap has been frequently
played on Colombian radio stations and widely sold in stores.
• …..,The majors have consolidated their control of music industry not only
through “vertical” (aiming to connect companies further up and down the
production –consumption chain),” but also through ““horizontal’ (aiming
synergy related entertainment industries) mergers and acquisitions
strategies.
/
•http://www.intermundos.org

5. Negative contrast
• Hip hop to me there is a few drawbacks in Colombia, there is a new form of
mass industrialism which is similar to pandering. The spin-off of
consumerism is that it divides and splits the communities. The adjective
that describes the new form of mass industrialism is the catalyst
“production”. In this example the facts the hold authenticity and discourse is
production; 1. no major label local or international has signed any artist
since this article has been published. 2. The labels want the artist to sellout
meaning going mainstream. 3. the way money is made to make a cd to get
produced.
• Here in the Us today, you have to go under ground and a lot of the money
the made to produce project comes from illegal money. As in Colombia, here
in the Us there is not a lot of resources where you can go to get promoted if
you do not have it. But here in the US, there are a lot of indie labels, and/or
independent labels that the majors label either give a distribution deal to or
buy out because there ear is closer to the lower socio economic level. Today
in the US, it is hard to send your demo or package to a label they do not
want to be solicited by mail it is all by word of mouth or how wired you are,
example Jay-z will not work with any promoter only ones in the cities he has
been in and have give him a crowd. He charges a 100,000 for a show. If you
cannot bring those numbers (crowd), you are a spectator. Get out the game.

6. Also
The reason it divides the class, lets look at the Us first, here in the states we
have different generas of music that is socially acceptable because you
have anglo america that likes Jay-z pop style such as h to the izzo, you
have something to dance to it does not come across to political unless you
are Kanye West or Tupac for instance. When it sends a message that shows
the truth of the US than it causes controversy, the labels know that, because
bad press is like the law, it can make a project and give it life or not. It can
goes as far the Supreme court to fight; Bill of Rights Amendment I,
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The example of discourse that hip hop can bring is look at the this situation; In
that case, Pennsylvania native Tucker, who died last year, claimed that Tupac's lyrics on
the track "How Do U Want It," from 1996's All Eyez On Me album, had caused her "great
humiliation, mental pain, and suffering." The lyrics in question included the line: "DeLores
Tucker, you's a motherf****r/Instead of trying to help a n***a, you destroy a brother."
http://www.mp3.com/news/stories/6565.html

7. The discourse

8. Where does the line Draw?
• Where does the line draw? This comes from earlier when I spoke of division
does it mean that all people have to come from severe living conditions in
order to be authentic and for all of us to have a reason to listen to it.
Because we relate it to a human condition, instead of the music and lyrics
having a solid message instead of a formulaic fantasy that gives off the
thought you will be rich and make it out of your condition. That is a lie, to
me everyone has a rule to play in this world. As, John a Millis says, a that
some people are made to be poor and be pluralistic, as are some to be rich
and wealthy. But what if hip hop is the poor people’s movement. They
change because this is the only way they can make a change in there
current conditions and they are looking for a platform to express there
selves. As here in America we have are own sell outs as in Columbia, then
we may not because if you want to feed your family in these pluralistic
societies will make changes no matter the cost it cause on the family or if
that man was about marry if money is 20 miles out they will drive to go make
it. This is what mass industrialism has made underdeveloped countries turn
into by definition.

9. The Positive comparison
• The Columbian identity also celebrates the positive side of hip hop to
express the reality of those knowing the true conditions of true conditions of
true people, but expressing the positive that comes from rising above it.
You can still have a message to your music, but make the music appeal to the
people. By putting your own spin on your music by incorporating your own
identity and culture. As in Columbia a Group called Choc Quib Town strays
too from the established norms with regards to musical style, sound and
melody, a and then gains recognition for their musical experimentation with
autochthonous sounds from their own traditions and culture( which
incidentally is exactly what has led to their growing appeal beyond hip hop
community)

10. Final thoughts
• I could talk on and on about hip hop because it was I grew up on, I live it, breathe, drank it, go to
clubs to hear it, in my car, or where ever. It has given a lot of us voices to be able to speak to the
masses. As in the case of Columbia and here in the United States there is authentic issues and
discourses amongst classes in similar ways and not so similar. Why? because we here in the United
States have resources and options and can go and work with other artist abroad and incorporate
different styles. Still not be considered a crossover, but that answer is the candy coated version of a
response. From the streets, when your music is not underground, with a hot Dj or on a mix cd. You
may have radio, but street respect from working with Dj clue or Mic Boogie or ect,,,. You are nothing,
but a crossover artist with what we call crossover that is not authentic to be a record labels excuse
me “Bitch”. The discourses comes with what the labels deem to be radio ready/ friendly that is if they
edit your music or soften you lyrics. You know you have made it mainstream and the radio puts you
into format urban radio that reaches demographics of 16 to 25 the highest purchasing (consumer)
power in the United States. On the other hand, in Columbia you have no labels only certain
organizations helping these artist, as well as them working odd jobs to be able to make a cd to sell
the masses, they also are torn between whether they want to be mainstream or whether like Choc
Quib Town who has added there identity and culture to there music and lyrics. This is in the eyes of
there culture is a sellout because it does hold true to the worst human condition in there society. The
discourse is the division of the mass industrialism production. It has given a false dream that you
can reach the status of mainstream United States if you sell your soul, at the sometime you have to
feed your family may be you could do reguton such as Daddy Yankee, and have fame and fortune. Is
worth it for sake of argument is good for them to stay unnoticed by staying true there identity and
culture or is better to sell out. I pose this question this is industrialism and the effects of
consumerism all the problems that arise from what these underdeveloped countries introduce to there
culture, and the drawbacks that follow is like a bomb it drops and after the dust subsides they are like
ants out of control. No one gives guidelines or rules, it just go for yours. So here is my questions is it
working or is worth it? Is there is a cost? What follows is what Ludacris describes to get your own
label, and the (discourses)problems of being in the industry.

11. Tell like it is by Ludacris
• Ludacris Tell It Like It Is Lyrics
• [Verse 1]
Things ain't always what they seem or cracked up to be
Like all these fakin' ass rappers in this industry
Talkin' bout what they got, and they ain't got a damn thang
How you own three cars, but you don't own ya own name?
Get ya business right boys, the first class is in session
Get a entertainment lawyer in the music profession
Start up ya own company, trademark the name
That's gon' run ya bout a grand so start savin' ya change
Open a bank account quick, and then follow these steps
Sign yourself to yourself and start signin' ya own checks
Hit the booth and start recording at the speed of need
Whatever gets ya juices flowin' could be speed or weed
Get it mixed and mastered, pressed up and plastered
Sell it to ya whole hood out the trunk, ya bastard!
Show all the non-believers what you destined to be
And in just a couple years you could be rich like me
[Hook]
But I can't hold my tongue
I'ma tell it like it is
This biz ain't all fun
I'ma tell it like it is
Give it to ya straight, no chase
I'ma tell it like it is
Look you straight in yo face
And I'ma tell it like it is
I can't hold my tongue
I'ma tell it like it is
This biz ain't all fun
I'ma tell it like it is
Give it to ya straight, no chase
I'ma tell it like it is
Look you straight in yo face
And I'ma tell it like it is

12. Tell like it is by Ludacris
• [Verse 2]
See, mostly all your favorite artists got some serious problems
The money could be the problem, but money can't solve 'em
Some get addicted to drugs and flat out lazy
Some taste a little fame and go flat out crazy
I'm close 'cause those close wanna live off my fame
And that type of shit alone will drive a nigga insane
Not to mention all the vultures, the scandelous promoters
Crabs will try to sue ya, magazines will misquote ya
Most of these label-heads, they don't care nothin' about ya
If you stop sellin' records, they'll act like they don't know ya
It's hard mixin' business with pleasure, so don't play
Me and my crew argue and fight like every other day
Rappers ain't above the law, but our life is so fast
That we got a Special Task Force of police on our ass
All that, and this is really just the start of it
[Tell It Like It Is lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]
Hip Hop, you really wanna be a part of it?
[Hook]
[Verse 3]
What's worse than havin' no money is havin' it and losin' it
What's worse than havin' some money is grabbin' and abusin' it
We never took no money from Chingy, thought I was cool wit him
I wish his ass well, but I don't want nothin' to do with him!
Some don't own they publishin', me I never fool wit 'em
I'm down for my artists, try my best to stay true to 'em
'Cause outside my label competition is irrelevant
Unless I'm still in competition with my president
And believe that I'm supportin' the Hova
''Cause the industry's shady, it needs to be taken over'
But the first rule to accumalation of wealth
Is Don't trust nobody but ya God damned self!
[Hook]

13. Resources
• Experience Music Project: Hip Hop Timeline –go to on webpage to hip hop
timeline
http://www.emplive.org/exhibits/index.asp?articleID=664
• Columbia University extension of resources and where I go the timeline.
• http://www.colum.edu/SpecialEvents/hiphop.php#vid
Documental sobre la cultura negra en Colombia realizado por Juan Pablo
Méndez. From You tube
Parte 2
• http://mrjuanpa.blogspot.com/
• Parte 1
• http://mrjuanpa.blogspot.com/
• Quotes from Krs-one the forefather of Rap
• Quote from Eminem
• All pictures from google images.